Summer Camp Programs at Washington, DC Museums

Washington, DC has a wide variety of museums displaying extensive collections of artifacts of history, science, art, space and more. Many of these world-class museums have special programs for children. The following museums take this a step further and offer summer camp programs to educate and entertain kids during the summer months. Apply early because these camps can fill up fast.

International Spy Museum
Ages 10-13. August 3-7, 2009, 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. No Grownups Allowed! Aspiring KidSpies will hone their tradecraft, learn from real "spies", and hit the streets to run training missions at the International Spy Museum. Develop a disguise for cover, make and break codes, discover escape and evasion techniques, create and use spy gadgets, and uncover the science behind spying. (202) 654-0930.

Discovery Creek Children's Museum
Ages 4-11. June 15 - August 21, 2009. Campers enjoy hands-on adventures with live animals, tromping through creeks and discovering nature. Camps meet at several locations in Washington, DC, Maryland and Virginia. (202) 337-5111.

Smithsonian Summer Camp
K-Grade 8. June 22 - August 14, 2009. Kids explore Smithsonian museums, the National Mall, and other regional sites at camps focused on a specific theme such as computer technology, video arts, music & dance, exploration of other lands & outer space, theater, photography, and art. (202) 357-3030.

National Zoo Camps
Summer Safari Day Camps. Grades K-5. June 15 - August 7, 2009. At the National Zoo, kids will enjoy exciting hands-on activities, craft projects, science experiments, walks through the Zoo, and more.

FONZ Nature Camps. Grades 5-10. July 5 - August 8, 2009. One- and two-week Nature Camp sessions offer an overnight nature exploration at the Zoo's Conservation and Research Center in Virginia's Shenandoah Valley.

National Building Museum
Artful Architecture Summer Camp. Ages 8-11. Two week sessions. July 13 - 21, 2009. Each day campers will explore a different topic or project related to architecture, design, or engineering. (202) 272-2448.

Dumbarton House
History Summer Camp. One week sessions throughout the summer. Ages 9-12, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Ages 6-8, 9 a.m. to noon, Children will experience life as it was in Georgetown households about 200 years ago, when our nation's capital was founded. Campers will sample and help cook historic snacks and drinks, perform early American and African American dances, experiment with making music, paint watercolor portraits and sketch from nature, try on period clothing, explore a historic garden, practice Federal manners, play with historic games and more! (202) 337-2288 x222.

DAR Museum
Quilt Camp. Ages 10-17. 2009 Dates to be Announced. 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Campers learn the art of hand-quilting, create their own floral quilt square, view quilts in the museum collection, and take related field trips. This year, in addition to their own quilted wall hanging, campers will have the opportunity to help stitch a quilt block for Quilters Unlimited “Quilts of Valor” quilt given to veterans in honor of their service. Basic sewing experience is necessary. Registration opens in February. (202) 879-3240.

Colonial Camp. Ages 8-12. One week sessions. 2009 Dates to be Announced. Step back in time with the American Ladies for a “Revolutionary” experience, wear historically accurate costumes and explore Colonial-American life through food, song, dance, and stitchery. Activities this year include fencing, archeology and a field trip. Registration opens in February. (202) 879-3240.

Tudor Place
Georgetown Summer History Weeks. June 22 - August 28, 2009. Ages 3-5, 9 a.m.-noon, Ages 6-8, 9 a.m.-noon, Ages 9-12, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Children experience a wide variety of indoor and outdoor activities that bring to life 175 years of American history and teach about the natural environment. Children help cook and sample snacks and drinks of times past, try on period clothing, explore the historic garden, plant their own garden, play historic games, paint watercolor landscapes, go on an archaeological expedition, and much more. (202) 965-0400 x110.

Corcoran Gallery of Art
Camp Creativity. June 22 - August 14, 2009. The program features hands-on art classes for ages 5-13, plus Studio D for ages 14-16. In this series of weeklong workshops, campers explore traditional subjects such as painting, drawing, and sculpture, as well as non-traditional processes such as cartooning, mixed media, and web design. 202-639-1770.