Hate competing for summer camp signup in January? Did you suddenly have the horrifying realization that it’s mid-June and you still need child care? Maybe your summer plans suddenly changed. Don’t stress! We’re happy to report that there are still plenty of summer camp slots available in and around Arlington. Here are some cool camps that still have openings.
Arlington Parks and Recreation
County summer camps fill up fast, but many are still available—especially if you’re open to less conventional camp themes. (Pro tip: For a list of what’s open, enter your child’s age and click “hide programs with waitlist.”) Kids can spend a week making colorful, fizzy masterpieces at Bath Bomb Camp, put their pedal to the mettle at Mountain Biking camp, and have bake-off battles at Tiny Chefs camp. You’ll also find a variety of sports camps with spots to fill, including soccer, basketball, flag football, tennis and pickleball.
Code Ninjas
Parlay your child’s love of technology and gaming into an exciting learning adventure. At Code Ninjas, a team of “Code Senseis” empower kids to gain valuable tech skills while making new friends. Build in Minecraft and Roblox, try out Stop Motion Animation camp or build LEGO robots and code them to carry out tasks. Ninjas can also learn web design and how to code using Scratch or Python. The weekly tuition for half-day camps is $250. For a full day of fun, register for both morning and afternoon camps and bring a bag lunch. Extended hours available. 4694 King St., Alexandria
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Love the Ball
Soccer players can dedicate a week to refining their ball skills and acquiring new ones while learning about teamwork and enjoying scrimmages. Offered in partnership with Arlington Parks and Rec, these weeklong sessions (priced at $339 for full day or $229 for half day for Arlington residents) run throughout the summer at various elementary and middle schools. Non-county residents pay an additional fee to attend. Visit the county website to sign up or visit Love the Ball’s website for more information.
MoCA: Museum of Contemporary Art Arlington
There’s still plenty of time to register for art camps for kids ages 5 to 18. The options include painting, drawing and pottery, plus more offbeat offerings that will have young artists creating miniature worlds of mouse houses and fairy doors, “strange landscapes,” visual illusions or their own comic books. Summer camps take place either at MoCA Arlington in Virginia Square or on Marymount University’s main campus. Campers ages 5-10 can choose full- or half-day, with the option of on-site before and after care. Camps for teens run from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. The cost of a weeklong, half-day camp is $275. MoCA, 3550 Wilson Blvd., Arlington; or Marymount University, 2807 N. Glebe Road, Arlington
Steve & Kate’s
Still trying to nail down those summer vacation plans? Pre-purchase day passes or a full summer pass for this homegrown camp and you can decide as late as the night before which dates to use. Steve & Kate’s is all about flexibility and will refund passes that aren’t used at the end of the summer. Bonus: You can drop off or pick up at any point during the camp day. Campers choose which activities they want to do and for how long—such as stop-motion animation, sewing, coding or water play on inflatable water slides. Special weekly events include performances and workshops. The cost is $124/day or $3,720 for the whole summer. Alexandria Country Day School, 2400 Russell Road, Alexandria
StringTime
Kids can try a new instrument without getting locked into lessons or a rental contract, or continue playing their current favorite instrument at this music camp with locations in McLean, Alexandria and Burke. Youngsters ages 7 to 12 can learn violin, viola, cello and/or acoustic guitar while they play games, listen to concerts and learn music theory. StringTime provides the instruments and instruction, with all campers performing in an end-of-week concert. (Check out Instagram to see and hear some of the camp performances.) Founded in 2022 by Lourdes de la Peña, StringTime Music boasts instructors who have performed on world-class stages such as Carnegie Hall and the Kennedy Center. Interested campers can still register for all sessions except for Burke Session 1 (June 16-20), which is full. The cost is $625 per session, with options for sibling discounts and need-based scholarships. 1205 Dolley Madison Boulevard, McLean; 1801 Russel Road, Alexandria; 9350 Braddock Road, Burke
Synetic Theater
Registration for Synetic’s camps is ongoing for rising 2nd to 12th graders interested in theater. Kids ages 7 to 13 might enjoy Myths in Movement, a one-week session centering on the mythological tales of Hercules, Medusa, Orpheus and Eurydice that culminates in a final showcase. Older teens can participate in a three-week Midsummer Night’s Dream program, with training in Synetic’s physical theater methods: mime, dance, clowning, acrobatics and stage combat. Gunston Middle School, 2700 S. Lang St., Arlington; and Theater on the Run, 3700 S. Four Mile Run Drive, Arlington
YMCA Arlington
Pop your child’s age into the YMCA’s camp search filter to pull up dozens of camps that still have availability. The current options include gymnastics camp, sports camp and traditional summer camps with various themes to keep little ones happy and occupied. For example, you can pick Under the Big Top, Jungle Safari, It’s a Thingamajig or Water Park Adventures. The Y also offers a weeklong leadership training camp for counselors in training who can then assist with other camps over the summer. If you need financial assistance or want to help a child in your community, consider making a donation to the nonprofit’s camp scholarship fund. Multiple locations