OC Summer Camps

Registration is off and running for Ocean City’s summer youth camp season. Ocean City Recreation and Parks (OCRP) will again offer a large variety of more than 70 different camp sessions for both residents and visitors.

Ocean City’s day camps – both Camp Horizon (ages 5 to 12) and Scamper Camp (ages 3.5 to 5) – continue to be the most popular among residents, as parents choose to rely on the heavy dose of entertainment and social activities administered to their children while they work. Yet, it is the large variety of sports, arts and science camps offered that has gained increasing attention over the past few years among both residents and visitors alike.

“The camps’ growing success may be because the selection of camps was designed to offer maximum variety and flexibility during the summer months when kids are inclined to want to spend some of their free time on Ocean City’s beautiful beach and enjoying its many parks and attractions,” said Recreation Superintendent Kate Gaddis. “But, for those times when families would like to include some more structured “play” or learning in their children’s schedules, we have lot to offer them,” she continued.

Back by popular demand, are both boys’ and girls’ lacrosse camps, For the Love of Soccer Camp (lead for 30 years by former Baltimore Blast player and coach Bobby McAvan), and skate camp, held at the Ocean Bowl Skate Park downtown. Other returning favorites include beach volleyball, golf, tennis, flag football, cheerleading, basketball and fishing. And science camps round out the schedule, including opportunities to build both robots and rockets.

The Ocean City Baseball Camp has been revamped and will be directed for the first time by Mathew Swope, Director of Baseball Operations at the University of Maryland (UMD), and Corey Haines, UMD Assistant Baseball Coach.

Camps focused on the arts have been growing in popularity, as well. Those include: Art Adventure Camp (sponsored by the Art League of Ocean City), drama camp (lead by Schoolhouse Theater Arts, Inc.), and dance.

Last but certainly not least, water sport camps are especially popular during the hot summer months. Camps like surfing, boogie board, “Junior Beach Patrol” and stand-up paddleboard fill up fast. Kayaking has been added to this year’s agenda, as well. Registration for all is at: www.OCSportsCamps.com

The above is only a partial listing of the more than one hundred camps, classes, programs, activities and events that OCRP offers both residents and visitors. A complete guide can be found at: www.oceancitymd.gov, under Recreation and Parks/Recreation Programs.