camps + events

we offer both summer camp and school day off camps for K-5th grade, as well as seasonal workshops and events

Summer 2024

That was incredibly fast - summer camp filled in just a few minutes this year. If you tried to register but are on a waitlist, we will try our best to accommodate some of you! If you have your heart set on a certain week, or you’re trying to sign up with a friend, email me so I can work through the waitlists effectively. We are so appreciative of the enthusiasm and we hope to see you this summer!

AGE RANGE:
The Loft summer camp is open to children entering grades K-5. We have two groups each week: K-2nd, and 3rd-5th.

HOURS:
Camp hours are 9:00-3:00, with optional aftercare until 5:30. To allow for more children to attend, there is a two-week maximum enrollment. (Aftercare can be added later if you’re not sure now.)

COST*:
Camp is $465/week, 9:00-3:00. You can add aftercare until 5:30 for $145/week or $35/day. (Camp week June 17-21 is $372 - no camp on Juneteenth, Wed June 19)
*While we generally work to keep our costs down, we prioritize using quality materials when it makes a difference, and paying our staff a living wage. If our costs present a hardship for you, please email lia@theloftcollective.org for a discount code prior to registration. This will allow you to register on January 20 at a discounted rate.

WAITLISTS:
Camps generally fill very quickly. If all spots are gone, please add your child to the waitlist. These lists change between now and summer, and there are still opportunities to get in over the next few weeks and later in the spring.

CANCELLATION POLICY:
Camp fees include a non-refundable $35 fee. The rest is refundable before April 1 if your plans change. After April 1, you may receive a credit if we can fill your spot, but refunds are not guaranteed after that date.

CONDUCT AT CAMP:
Our summer camp is designed for children ages 5-11, who are able to meet age-appropriate expectations for respectful behavior, staying with a group, and using materials safely. We support and guide children in meeting these expectations, but we are not a therapeutic setting. If your child needs more support than we can provide, you will be notified by phone call. There are no refunds for conduct-related dismissal.

2024 Camp Themes:

Below the Waves 
We’ll explore the medium of water this camp week, taking a deep dive into ocean life, bioluminescence, coral reefs, and tips for keeping our oceans healthy. Get ready for some fun facts! (How deep does a whale dive? A: Deeper than you think!)
June 17-21 (no camp June 19) / July 15-19

In My Home  
What does it mean to be home? How do humans create spaces that are more than shelters, that are expressions of our environment, our culture, ourselves? Through a discussion of architecture across continents, we’ll introduce art projects that have students designing and building a place of their own.
June 24-28 / July 22-26

Among the Stars 
Look up! We’ll be discussing constellations this camp week, along with the mythology associated with them. We’ll also focus on the shape and motion of planets, with a dynamic project relating to the solar system, and how we understand our place in the universe.
July 8-12 / July 29-Aug 2

Fashion Week
Know what a milliner does? You will by the end of the week, when we present our projects at a Mad Hatter’s Tea Party. This camp week will let children dress and style their own mini-mannequin, creating a look and then using some hand stitching techniques to bring it together. The younger group will learn ways to fasten and tie fabric, while the older group may try out the sewing machines! 
Aug 5-9

School Day Off Camps

The Loft offers art-based full day camp for children in grades K-3. The camp day is 9:00-3:00, $115. No aftercare is provided for camp days.
*Scholarships available to families receiving free/reduced meals at school, please contact lia@theloftcollective.org for more information.

Sample Camp Day

9:00 - Arrival and invitation, open play at our sensory stations
9:30-9:50 - Group meeting , introduction to the day
9:50-10:30 - Art Block 1
10:30-11:15 - Outdoor snack and play at Takoma Urban Park across the street
11:15-12:00 - Choice time in the art room
12:00-12:15 - Story and wash hands
12:15-1:00 - Outdoor lunch and play
1:00-1:30 - Quiet reading time
1:30-1:45 - Story and project discussion
1:45-2:25 - Art Block 2
2:25-2:50 - Choice time, independent work
2:50-3:00 - Clean up and dismissal

Spring 2024

MCPS:
Tue May 14

DCPS:
camps have concluded for 2023-24 school year