Camp Friendship in Palmyra offers outdoor adventures, sports and horseback riding. Photo courtesy Camp Friendship
A sampling of camps in and around Virginia * = Day camp or day-camp option offered * 4 Star Summer Camps Academic and sports programs held at the University of Virginia. Rising 7th- to 12th-graders. Charlottesville, (800) 334-7827 or 4starcamps.com . 4-H Junior Summer Camp A weeklong residential camp for ages 9-18 at the Jamestown 4-H Educational Center. Contact your local extension office or visit jamestown4hcenter.org . * Brilliant Summer at St. Catherine's Coed offerings include academic courses, athletic and dance camps, a music academy, and a creative-arts day camp. Ages 3 through rising 12th-graders. 6001 Grove Ave., 288-2804, ext. 3396, or st.catherines.org/summer . * Camp Blue Sky Camp Programs cater to three development levels between ages 5 and 13 through activities that include arts and crafts, music and drama, culinary crafts, technology, science, and more. Multiple locations throughout the Richmond region, 747-5900 or rainbowstation.org . Camp Friendship Coed residential camp for ages 7-16. Optional adventure trips, sports clinics and equestrian program. Palmyra, (800) 873-3223 or campfriendship.com . * Camp Ganim Day camp for ages 2-5. Swimming lessons, socialization skills. 5403 Monument Ave., 285-6500 or weinsteinjcc.org . Camp Hidden Meadows Coed camps of varying lengths for ages 7-16, plus weeklong equestrian (ages 9-14) and rock-climbing camps (ages 12-16). Bartow, W.Va., (800) 600-4752 or camphiddenmeadows.com . Camp Horizons A coed residential camp for ages 6-17; equestrian option. Harrisonburg, (540) 896-7600 or camphorizonsva.com . Camp Roanoke Residential coed summer camp for ages 5-17, operated by Roanoke County. Salem, (540) 387-6114 or camproanoke.com . Camp Strawderman All-girls overnight camp with an equestrian focus. Ages 6-17. Edinburg, (301) 868-1905 (winter), (540) 984-4738 (summer) or campstrawderman.com . Camp Virginia A residential camp for boys featuring athletic programs, camping, horseback riding and fly fishing. Goshen, (540) 997-5518 (summer), Richmond, 282-2339 (winter) or campvirginia.com . *Chesterfield County Parks and Recreation A variety of summer camps. 748-1623 or chesterfield.gov . * Collegiate Summer Quest More than 100 camps, from sports to academic enrichment, for 3-year-olds to adults. 103 N. Mooreland Road, 741-9714 or collegiate-va.org. * Episcopal High School Overnight and day programs in leadership, athletics, writing, science and photography for grades 7-10. Alexandria, (703) 933-4199 or episcopalhighschool.org/summerprograms . Ferrum College Summer Enrichment Camp Coed, grades 4 to 7. Activities include Hogwarts Academy, chess, cooking and more. Ferrum, (888) 508-7822 or ferrum.edu/fcsec . * Great Summer Escape Day camps for children ages 6-12 are offered at Richmond's community centers. 646-5733 or richmondgov.com/parks . * Hanover County Parks and Recreation Youth Summer Programs Day camps for elementary- and middle-school-age children. 365-7150 or co.hanover.va.us/parksrec . * Henrico County Recreation and Parks Various programs, including performing-arts, history, nature and sports camps. 501-7275 or henricorecandparks.com . * Henricus Historical Park Day Camps A variety of programs cater to ages 6 and older with activities that include history, nature, arts and crafts, and outdoor exploration. Henricus Historical Park, 318-8797 or chesterfield.gov . Randolph-Macon Academy Middle School Academic Camp A residential camp for students entering grades 6-8 featuring schoolwork, field trips and other activities. Front Royal, (800)272-1172 or rma.edu . * St. Christopher's School Summer Ventures Coed sports and academic-enrichment camps for ages 3-16. 711 St. Christopher's Road, 282-3185, ext. 5327, or stchristophers.com . *Saint Gertrude High School Summer programs and camps for middle- and high-school girls in the performing arts, fitness and athletics. 3215 Stuart Ave. and 490 Scott Road., 358-9114 or saintgertrude.org . * St. Joseph's Villa Programs for 2- to 5-year-olds and school-age children, Early Autism Services, a full-day camp for children with special needs, and a therapeutic day-treatment summer program. 8000 Brook Road, 553-3200 or neverstopbelieving.org . * The Steward Summer Experience A selection of camps for all ages, including sports, arts, chess and video-game creation. 11600 Gayton Road, 740-3394, ext. 6529, or stewardschool.org/summer . * Trinity Episcopal School's Summer Discovery Program Basketball, music, lacrosse, field-hockey and football camps for all ages. 3850 Pittaway Drive, 272-5864 or trinityes.org . * University of Richmond School of Professional and Continuing Studies Children's technology workshops; cooking, golf, arts, science and drama camps; summer reading programs, SAT prep, babysitter training and more for K-12 students. 28 Westham Way, 289-8133 or spcs.richmond.edu . * Weinstein JCC Coed day camps for students entering grades K-8. Sports, art, dance and more. 5403 Monument Ave., 285-6500 or weinsteinjcc.org . * YMCA of Greater Richmond Featuring 18 branch locations, including Camp Thunderbird, offering day, specialty and sports camps for ages 2 1/2-18. 649-9622 or ymcarichmond.org/camp .
Religious
Camp Alkulana Outdoors adventures and activities while exploring Christian values. Millboro Springs, 329-1701 or alkulana.org Camp Blue Ridge A traditional coed residential camp affiliated with the Seventh Day Adventist Church. Montebello, (888) 746-4227, (540) 377-2413 or campblueridge.org . * Camp Hanover Day and overnight summer sessions with traditional activities, as well as bouldering, for students entering grades 2-12. Christian focus. 3163 Parsleys Mill Road, Mechanicsville, 779-2811 or camphanover.org . * Camp Hilbert Day camps on Lake Rosalie for children entering grades K-9. 2240 Maidens Road, Maidens, 545-8631 or weinsteinjcc.org . Camp Maxwelton (boys), Camp Lachlan (girls) Residential Christian summer camps for boys ages 9-15 and girls 8-15. Rockbridge Baths, (540) 348-5706 or maxwelton-lachlan.com . * Camp Piankatank Baptist overnight camp with loads of water activities, horseback riding and rock climbing. Ages 10-17; weekend mini-camp for ages 7-9, day camps for ages 6-9. Hartfield, (804) 776-9552 or camppiankatank.org . Camp Willow Run An interdenominational Christian camp located on Lake Gaston, for students entering grades 3-12. Littleton, N.C., (252) 586-4665 or campwillowrun.org . * Chinmaya Mission Summer Camp Day camp focusing on Hindu faith and culture. Ages 5-13. 11537 Nuckols Road, 364-1396 or chinmayadc.org . * Christian Youth Theater Day camps in musical theater for ages 6-13; offers a separate program for ages 14-18. 285-2987 or cytrichmond.org . Kaleidoscope Camp Christian (Mennonite) camp with lots of activities for ages 7-16. Williamsburg Christian Retreat Center, Toano, (866) 566-9272 or wcrc.info . Makemie Woods Presbyterian overnight camp offering canoeing, archery, ziplines and trails, plus Camp Jordan for diabetic children. Grades 1-12 (Makemie Woods); grades 3-10 (Camp Jordan). Barhamsville, (800) 566-1496 or makwoods.org . Oak Hill Christian Service Camp Service projects and recreation for kindergartners through 12th-graders, plus music-and-drama week for ages 13 and up. 8451 Oak Hill Camp Road, Mechanicsville, 779-3050 or oakhillcamp.org . St. Sebastian's Sports Camp Multiple sports for boys and girls ages 9 to 14. Orkney Springs, 540-856-2141 or shrinemont.com . * Triple R Ranch Christian overnight and day camps, including horsemanship, archery and more, for ages 7-14 and a special training camp for ages 15-17. Chesapeake, (757) 421-4177 or triplerranch.org . Westview on the James Methodist overnight summer camps for ages 6-15 and Adventure Trek programs for ages 13-17. 1231 Westview Road, Goochland, 457-4210 or westviewonthejames.org .
Special Interests
* ArtHaus Kids Summer Camps Ages 3-17. Explore clay, paint, mixed media, photography, textiles and more. 1811 Huguenot Road, Suite 304, Midlothian, 897-4278 or arthausrichmond.com . * ArtVenture Classes offered by the Visual Arts Center of Richmond for ages 3 to teens. 1812 W. Main St., 353-0094 or visarts.org . * Bon Secours Virginia Health System's Nursing Explorers Camp Rising 6th- to 8th-graders interested in the medical field experience life inside the hospital, meet health care professionals, conduct experiments and more. Seven Bon Secours hospital locations in the Richmond region, 559-0647 or bonsecours.com . Camp Motorsport Coed residential race-car and kart-driving camp for ages 8-16. Clover, (434) 822-2999 (camp); (855) 508-9382 (registration) or campmotorsport.com . Camp Sea Gull (boys), Camp Seafarer (girls) Camps for ages 6-16 in eastern North Carolina, featuring seamanship and traditional camp activities. Arapahoe, N.C., (252) 249-1111 (Sea Gull); (252) 249-1212 (Seafarer) or seagull-seafarer.org . Cheerio Adventures Outdoor adventure camps featuring backpacking, canoeing, climbing, caving and more for ages 10-17. Mouth of Wilson, (276) 579-6731 or campcheerio.org/adv . * Children's and Teen Studios at the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts Cross-cultural learning, studio projects and more for 5-year-olds to 12th-graders. July 8-Aug. 30. 200 N. Boulevard, 340-1405 or vmfa.museum/learn . * ComedySportz Improv Camp for Kidz Half-day camps focusing on short-form improv and creative thinking for ages 8-14. 8906 W. Broad St., 266-9377 or comedysportzrichmond.com/kidzcamp.php . * Discovery@VCU Offers a variety of in-depth experiences in physical, life and health sciences, engineering and the arts for rising 6th- to 8th-graders. 828-8829 or vcuyouthcenter.org . * Green Adventures Summer Camps Campers learn about the plant kingdom and their connection to it through crafts, field studies and more. Preschoolers to 7th-graders. Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden, 1800 Lakeside Ave. 262-9887, ext. 322, or lewisginter.org/children . Henricus Historical Park Day Camps A variety of programs cater to ages 6 and older with activities that include history, nature, arts and crafts, and outdoor exploration. Henricus Historical Park, 318-8797 or chesterfield.gov . * iD Tech Summer Computer Camps Coed residential and day camps at the College of William & Mary. Ages 7-17. Williamsburg, (888) 709-TECH or internaldrive.com . * Latin Ballet of Virginia Two-week course in ballet, Latin jazz, modern, hip-hop and multicultural dance styles. Ages 5-18. Cultural Arts Center, Glen Allen; Richmond CenterStage, 356-3876 or latinballet.com . Lobs & Lessons Offers full-day, weeklong camps at the Mary and Frances Youth Center for rising 1st- to 8th-graders. Camps focus on tennis, but also include daily activities and nutrition lessons. 828-9276 or vcuyouthcenter.org . *Mad Science Full- and half-day camps in robotics, fort building, space and forensics for grades 1-6 at locations throughout metro Richmond. 359-1500 or centralva.madscience.org . * Maymont Summer Camps Outdoor adventures and hands-on activities for ages 18 months to rising ninth-graders. 2201 Shields Lake Drive, 358-7166, ext. 324 or 333, or maymont.org . Nature Camp A coed summer camp specializing in natural-history and environmental-science education, for students in grades 5-12. Vesuvius, (540) 377-2491 (camp phone), (540) 460-7897 (inquiries) or naturecamp.net . Randolph-Macon Academy Flight Camp Students entering grades 9-12 learn to fly a plane and even solo in a Cessna 172. Front Royal, (800) 272-1172 or rma.edu . Southern Mystique Film Camp One-week summer filmmaking camp for ages 14-24. 1 New Millennium Drive, Petersburg, 898-2496 or cvfi.us . Space Flight Adventure Camp Coed residential summer camps for students aged 11-15 interested in learning about rockets and space flight. Wallops Island, (757) 824-3800 or vaspaceflightacademy.org . SPARC (School of the Performing Arts in the Richmond Community) SummerStarz Touring Ensemble (ages 10-16), BRAVO (rising 5th- to 8th-graders), SPARClers (rising 2nd- to 4th-graders) and SPARClers Jr. (rising K-1 students). 2106-A N. Hamilton St. 353-3393 or sparconline.org . * Summer Rock Camps Programs for budding rock stars ages 7-17. Short Pump School of Rock, 4300 Pouncey Tract Road, 212-3900 or shortpump.schoolofrock.com . Summer Science Explorers Hands-on experiments and activities for 4-year-olds to seventh-graders. 2500 W. Broad St., 864-1407 or emv.org/summercamps.html . Wilderness Adventure at Eagle Landing Outdoor adventure and discovery camps for ages 8-17. New Castle, (800) 782-0779 or wilderness-adventure.com . YMCA Camp Silver Beach Residential Chesapeake Bay adventure camp on Virginia's eastern shore. Sail, kayak, fish, water-ski and more. Ages 8 to 16. Jamesville, (757) 442-4634 or campsilverbeach.org .
Special Needs
Brainy Camps Residential camps for children of various ages living with health and behavioral disorders. Harrisonburg, (202) 476-3181, (202) 476-5142 or brainycamps.com. Camp Abilities Maryland A sports and recreation camp for children who are blind or visually impaired. Lusby, Md., (240) 737-517, or campabilitiesmaryland.web.officelive.com . * Camp Baker Overnight summer camp sessions (day options available) for children and adults with mental retardation ages 6 and up. 7600 Beach Road, Chesterfield, 748-4789 or richmondarc.org . Camp Easter Seals UCP Residential summer camps for children and adults with disabilities ages 6 and up. New Castle, (540) 777-7325 or campeastersealsucp.com . Camp Fantastic Residental camp for children ages 7-17 who have received cancer-specific treatment. Front Royal, (540) 667-3774 or speciallove.org . * Camp Gonnawannagoagin Weeklong day camp sessions for children with a primary diagnosis of autism ages 4-18. Virginia Beach, (757) 422-2040 or camp4autism.org/summercamp . Camp Holiday Trails Residential summer camp sessions for children with special health needs aged 5-17. Charlottesville, (434) 977-3781 or campholidaytrails.org . * Camp Jordan Residential camps for rising 3rd- through 10th-graders with diabetes. Barhamsville, (757) 566-1496 or makwoods.org/cjordan . Comfort Zone Camp Free, year-round bereavement camps for children ages 7-17. Mechanicsville and Goochland, 377-3430 or (866) 488-5679 or comfortzonecamp.org . * Gallaudet University Summer Programs Residential camps for hearing-impaired high-school students ages 14-18. Washington, D.C., (202) 448-7272 or summer.gallaudet.edu . * Starfish Savers An outdoor-adventure day camp for children, teens and young adults (ages 9-26) with high-functioning autism, Asperger's Syndrome or ADHD. Centreville, (703) 631-9557 or starfishsavers.com . * Surfers Healing VB A one-day camp at the beach, free to registered participants, for children with autism and their families, complete with surfing sessions. Virginia Beach, (757) 544-3224 or surfershealingvb.org . * Voices Together For children with autism: coed day camps for ages 5-12, and an adventure day camp for high school students. 5403 Monument Ave., 545-8658 or weinsteinjcc.org .
Sports
6 Points Sports Academy Softball, baseball, basketball, swimming, tennis and other sports for rising 4th- to 11th-graders. Affiliated with the Union for Reform Judaism. Greensboro, N.C., (561) 208-1650 or 6pointsacademy.org. Adidas Tennis Camp One-week program, all ability levels. Day and overnight options. Fredericksburg, (800) 944-7112 or tenniscamper.com . * Bogey's Sports Park Junior golf camps (age 15 and under)every summer. 1675 Ashland Road, 784-1544 or bogeyssportspark.com . * Camp Carysbrook Residential and day camps for girls ages 6-16, or an equestrian camp for girls ages 10-16. Riner, (540) 382-1670 (summer), (703) 836-7548 (winter) or campcarysbrook.com . * i-SportsCamps A residential or day golf camp at Birdwood Golf Course for players ages 10-17. Charlottesville, (434) 972-6083 or i-sportscamps.com . * Passages Adventure Camp Day and overnight camps include rock-climbing, kayaking, Fat Tire Camp (new) and a mountain bike camp. Ages 5-17. 11421 Polo Circle, Midlothian, 897-8283, ext. 310, or passagesRVA.com . * Richmond Ice Zone Figure-skating camps and hockey camps. 636 Johnston-Willis Drive, 378-7465 or richmondicezone.com . * Richmond Indoor Sports Experience Ages 5-13. 2300 Oak Lake Blvd., Midlothian, 744-4600 or riseindoor.com . * Richmond Kickers Soccer Camps Ages 2-16. 644-5425 or richmondkickers.com . * SkateNation Plus Basic Skating lessons, hockey and figure-skating. 4350 Pouncey Tract Road, 364-1477 or skatenationplus.com . * Shaka Smart Basketball Camps Day camps conducted by VCU's coaching staff for all levels of players, with an emphasis on teamwork and sportsmanship skills. Sessions are June 24-28, July 15-19 and Aug. 5-9. Stuart C. Siegel Center, 1200 W. Broad St., 828-1278 or coachsmart.com . * Sports Center of Richmond All-sports and soccer camps for ages 3-17. 1385 Overbrook Road, 257-7267 or scor-richmond.com . * Stone Bridge Farm Full- or half-day horseback riding camps for riders of all levels, ages 8-17; sleepover camp for ages 10-17; Horse Show Camp for intermediate and advanced riders ages 8-17. Natural Bridge, (540) 291-1000 or stonebridgefarm.net . * Tall Cedars Farm Equestrian day camps for all levels of experience. 11353 Rocky Ridge Road, Glen Allen, 883-3003, (804) 357-4231 or tallcedarsfarm.org . * University of Richmond Spiders Sports Camps A wide range of sports camps, including baseball, football and tennis. richmondspiders.com . * VCU Sports Camps Basketball, soccer, field-hockey, baseball and volleyball camps. 1200 W. Broad St., 828-4000 or vcurams.vcu.edu/camps.html . * Virginia Fishing Adventures Day and overnight fishing camps for boys and girls ages 6-16. 687-1869 or virginiafishingadventures.com . * Virginia Outside Mountain-biking camps for boys and girls ages 8-13. 687-1869 or virginiaoutside.com .
