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The Great Summer Debate: Camp or No Camp? (Spoiler: TEAM CAMP!)

Plus enter now to win $500 to a camp of your choice!

By Macaroni KID March 17, 2025

Ah, summer. Long, lazy days, endless snacks, and the constant chorus of "I’m bored!" echoing through your house. Sound familiar? If you’re already dreading hearing those two dreaded words on repeat, don’t worry — we’ve got the ultimate solution: SUMMER CAMP.


Camps mentioned in this article are Macaroni KID National or CertifiKID advertising partners.
Want more? 

See our complete local Macaroni KID District Heights 2025 Summer Camp Guide!
You'll find our full list of summer adventure opportunities for your kids.


Why? Because Kids Need Camp (And Parents Need Sanity). 

Sure, a few pajama-clad mornings are great, but let’s be real: After a week, kids get restless, parents get overwhelmed, and suddenly, Netflix becomes a third parent. Enter summer camps — where kids get structure, adventure, and new experiences, and you get a moment to drink your coffee while it’s still hot.

And guess what? We’ve rounded up some of the best summer camps to make your life easier. Whether your kid loves sports, arts, STEM, or the great outdoors, there's a perfect camp waiting. Keep reading to find the best fit for your child — you won’t want to miss these!

Please note that availability varies by location.





πŸŽ‰ Win $500 Toward the Summer Camp of Your Choice! 

πŸŽ‰CertifiKID, our partner in all things fun, is giving away TWO $500 camp scholarships! That’s right—two lucky winners will score serious camp cash to use toward any summer camp.

πŸ“’ ENTER NOW before the deadline at midnight March 31, 2025. Click here for official rules.




Movement Gyms Climbing Summer Camp

For the Kid Who Thinks They’re the Next LeBron: SPORTS CAMP!

Some kids dream of summer glory on the field, the court, or the rock wall. Others just need to burn off the boundless energy that’s destroying your furniture. Either way, sports camps are a win. Here are three we love:

πŸ€ Breakthrough Basketball Camps – Because your kid can only dribble in the house so many times before something gets broken.

🏈 Sports International Football Camps – Learn from current and former NFL players. (Yes, really!)

πŸ§—‍♂️ Movement Gyms Climbing Summer Camp – Because climbing the walls at home isn’t quite as fun.


πŸ“ŒGreat Deal Alert!

πŸ‘‰πŸ½ Label Daddy – Our top choice for labeling everything for camp season.




Get 50% off Label Daddy with CertifiKID's special deal! 
Click 'Buy Deal' to get $20 for $40 Worth of Custom Labels!




Johns Hopkins Center for Talented Youth

For the Kid Who Builds Robots Out of Leftover Cereal Boxes: STEAM CAMP!

Got a kid who loves to tinker, code, or ask you science questions you don’t know how to answer? Send them to STEAM camp and let the experts handle it.

πŸ’» Code Ninjas – Where kids learn to code by making video games (because Minecraft tutorials on YouTube only go so far).

🧠 Johns Hopkins Center for Talented Youth – For brainiacs who love to deep-dive into fascinating topics while making new friends.




Model United Nations Institute Summer Camp

For the Future CEO, Debate Star, or President: LEADERSHIP CAMP!

Some kids were born to lead. Others just need to work on their "please don't interrupt" skills. Either way, leadership camps build confidence and public speaking skills in an epic way.

🌍 Model United Nations Institute Summer Camp – Where kids become world leaders (well, at least for the summer).
     BONUS: SAVE $200! Use code CKID at checkout for a limited-time discount.




Echo Hill Camp in Maryland

For the Kid Who Wants a Parent-Free Adventure: OVERNIGHT CAMP!

Let’s be honest: Overnight camp isn’t just for the kids. It’s also for parents who wouldn’t mind reclaiming the TV remote and eating dinner without interruption.

πŸ•οΈ Camp Hidden Meadows – Campfires, canoeing, and zero WiFi? Yes, please.

🏹 Camp Twin Creeks – Two weeks of pure adventure and zero "Mom, what’s for dinner?"

πŸ›ΆEcho Hill Camp – From waterfront adventures to berry picking ... this is where kids will develop a love for the natural world.


Make This Summer One to Remember! 

Camps aren’t just fun — they shape confidence, skills, and friendships for life. Whether your kid is all about hoops, hacking, or hiking, there’s a perfect camp waiting for them.

Now go forth, plan your child’s summer, and reclaim your living room from their endless energy. You’ve got this!