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Best Zoo and Museum Summer Camps in DC, Maryland, and Northern Virginia

Kids can become junior zookeepers at Leesburg Animal Park's summer camps. Photo courtesy of the park
Kids can become junior zookeepers at Leesburg Animal Park's summer camps. Photo courtesy of the park
3/12/23 - By Jennifer Swope

Do your children have specific interests they would like to explore? Zoo and museum summer camps are a great way for them to do that. Maybe your kids want to learn about spycraft or engineering. Maybe they want to test their skills with different art mediums. Or perhaps you have a future zookeeper in your home. Whatever your child's interest, there is a zoo or museum summer camp near DC for them.

Here are 11 summer nature, zoo, and museum camps in DC, Maryland, and Northern Virginia that will give your kids hands-on, educational, and fun experiences all summer long.

Looking for more options for summer camps near DC? Bookmark our local Summer Camp Guide, and peruse our full Camp Directory for more programs to fit any budget and interest, from sports summer day camps to overnight camps and everything in between.

Remember that summer day camps fill up early, so check their websites for up-to-date availability, and register as soon as possible!

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Kids can explore the arts and STEM at Port Discovery Children's Museum's summer camp. Photo courtesy of the camp's Facebook page
Kids can explore the arts and STEM at Port Discovery Children's Museum's summer camp. Photo courtesy of the camp's Facebook page

Art Summer Camps at Museums

Summer Camp at the Museum of Contemporary Art Arlington

Arlington, VA
Ages 5-18
Campers ages 5-18 explore the visual arts through projects in 2D and 3D media while learning about new and different artistic techniques and contemporary artists. At MoCA Arlington, campers explore the museum galleries and create works inspired by what they see. At Marymount University’s main campus, they use the university's art studios. READ MORE

Summer Camp at Port Discovery

Baltimore, MD
Ages 5-9
At this camp, rising kindergartners through third-graders work individually or in groups to create mixed-media art projects, building a personal portfolio. Campers also explore engineering and scientific discoveries through interactive play throughout the museum, as well as participate in theater, music, and dance.  READ MORE
Kids become scientists at STEM Camp at KID Museum. Photo courtesy of the museum
Kids become scientists at STEM Camp at KID Museum. Photo courtesy of the museum

STEM Museum Summer Camps

Camp MSC at the Maryland Science Center

Baltimore, MD
Ages 4-13
The Maryland Science Center offers educational camp experiences for kids ages 4-13. Campers explore interactive exhibits, participate in hands-on activities and experiments, learn, and get messy at this fun science camp. READ MORE

STEM Camp at KID Museum

Bethesda, MD
Ages 7-14
KID Museum Summer Camp offers interactive, hands-on sessions for rising second- through ninth-graders. Choose from an array of enriching programs focused on electronics, coding, 3D design, wizard magic, space exploration, and more. READ MORE

Children's Science Center

Fairfax, VA
Ages 6-11
Campers entering first through fifth grades participate in hands-on STEM projects ranging from engineering to chemistry. With five themes throughout the summer, young scientists learn about space, movement, the Earth, and more through lab work and experiments. READ MORE
The Smithsonian Institution offer over 80 full-day summer camps. Photo courtesy of Smithsonian Associates
The Smithsonian Institution offer over 80 full-day summer camps. Photo courtesy of Smithsonian Associates

Themed Museum Summer Camps

Reading on the Rails Summer Camp

Baltimore, MD
Ages 9-12
Reading on the Rails focuses on history, art, and science throughout the B&O Railroad Museum. Campers ages 6-12 learn all about the railroad through books, games, and exploring the museum space.  READ MORE

Spy Camp at the International Spy Museum

Washington, DC
Ages 9-12
Interested in becoming a KidSpy® recruit at Spy Camp? Campers ages 9-12 learn from real spies as they hone their tradecraft and run training missions around DC. Learn to make a disguise, break codes, practice escape and evasion techniques, use gadgets, and more. READ MORE

Smithsonian Summer Camps

Washington, DC
Ages 5-15
Smithsonian Summer Camps, held across all museums and facilities of the Smithsonian Institution, invite campers in kindergarten through ninth grade to explore the world around them and far away. With more than 90 full-day camps, kids expand their knowledge and hands-on skills in a whole spectrum of fascinating topics including engineering, kitchen chemistry, dinosaurs, art, marine life, rocketry, history, and more. Note: Camp registration begins in February, and camps sell out quickly, so book early to ensure you get a spot!  READ MORE
Summer Camp at the Maryland Zoo is perfect for animal lovers. Photo courtesy of the zoo
Summer Camp at the Maryland Zoo is perfect for animal lovers. Photo courtesy of the zoo

Nature and Zoo Summer Camps

Camp Woodend

Chevy Chase, MD
Ages 5-17
Camp Woodend offers day and overnight camps for campers in kindergarten through 11th grade. With an emphasis on environmental education, Camp Woodend takes place on the 40-acre Woodend Sanctuary. Campers hike, work in the Children's Garden, explore flora and fauna, and participate in traditional camp activities. READ MORE

Junior Zookeeper Camp at Leesburg Animal Park

Leesburg, VA
Ages 6-12
Campers ages 6-12 become junior zookeepers at Leesburg Animal Park. Each day begins with feeding, grooming, and cleaning up after the animals as campers learn the responsibilities of zookeeping. Animal encounters, educational lessons, crafts, and play round out the rest of the camp day. READ MORE

Summer Camp at the Maryland Zoo

Baltimore, MD
Ages 7-18
Explore animals and life at the Maryland Zoo through educational and zookeeper-training camps. Campers in grades 2-5 participate in education programs, while campers in grades 6-8 and 9-12 learn what it takes to be a zookeeper. READ MORE

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About the Author

Jennifer Swope
Jennifer Swope, a DC resident since 2003, transitioned from humanitarian work to freelance editing in 2012 to stay home with her two kids. This shift sparked her passion for finding fun ways to keep them entertained—and inspired her to contribute to Mommy Poppins. When she's not navigating DC's chaos with her kids, she and her husband love watching sports, planning their next trip, and attending concerts. Follow Jennifer on Instagram @jenniferswope.
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