The City is committed to providing your child with a safe & fun summer experience. As a parent, help us help your child have a successful summer by providing accurate & factual information about:

• Child’s date of birth (a copy of a birth certificate may be required)
• Allergies & regular medications
• Any special needs your child might have
• Accurate address/phone numbers/e-mail

If your child is currently attending a school outside the United States, you must provide a copy of the child’s immunization records.

Please note that to qualify for a City Resident rate, the child must live within the City’s corporate limits. Residents may be asked to provide proof of residency at the time of registration. Please use our Address & Parcel Map to see if your residence falls within Corporate City Limits.

Prior to the beginning of camp, please download & complete the required camp forms (Camp Participant Consent Form, Character Agreement & Medication Administration Authorization Form) available in the documents box on our website. All forms must be completed & returned to the camp on the first day of the program. Children may not attend any session without completed forms on site. No exceptions.

Each camp is designed for a particular age group & programs are broken down by age, not by grade. Participation in elementary & middle school camps is based on age as of September 1, 2020. Camps are comprised of units of approximately 20 campers. Units are based on the number of campers in each age group, not on units from the previous summer. Each unit is supervised by a Senior Counselor, who is at least a high school graduate, and a Junior Counselor, who has completed at least tenth grade. All camp sites have a Team Leader & one or two Assistant Team Leaders. These positions are normally filled by teachers or college-age students.

The City requests air conditioning at all sites where available. Please note, however, that most of the gymnasiums in use by our programs do not have air conditioning.

The City is committed to making reasonable accommodations as required by the Americans with Disabilities Act. Requests must be made 3 weeks prior to the start of the program by contacting the Summer Camp Team.

Appropriate behavior by participants is expected at all times. All campers will be asked to sign a Character Agreement detailing the guidelines for behavior and responsibility. The staff will work cooperatively with parents to keep them informed of inappropriate behavior and solicit their support to resolve conflicts and encourage positive interaction. Participants who remain disruptive after consultation with the parents may be dismissed from the program.

The Dolores C. Swoyer Camp Scholarship Fund, named in loving memory of the daughter of a former Planning Commissioner and citizen activist, helps fund City of Gaithersburg families with financial assistance so their children can participate in our summer camp experiences. Each year the City receives applications from families in need who want their children to enjoy the energizing, educational and challenging experiences offered by the City’s Camps. With the number of incoming applications growing every year, we would like to continue to support our families. We are asking for your help to contribute to the fund today. Please call & speak with a member of the Youth Services Team to discuss additional sponsorship opportunities and partnerships with local businesses.

Due to circumstances beyond our control, the Department of Parks, Recreation & Culture may need to move a program to an alternate site. Parents will be notified of all changes as soon as possible.

For information regarding emergency delays & closures of MCPS facilities, visit www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org. Please check the City’s website for information regarding emergency program cancellations in City facilities.

Programs will limit outdoor activity & may provide alternative activities when code red & high temperature alerts are issued. Activities will still be held outdoors for short periods of time.

Your camp registration fee covers the cost of all field trips. No additional fees are required for your child to participate. Transportation for all field trips will be provided by the City of Gaithersburg or Montgomery County Public School buses and/or vans.

City Residents may apply for financial assistance for eligible summer programs. Applications must be submitted and approved before registration. If approved, applicants will receive a discount ranging from 10%-90% of each eligible program. Early registrants may request a payment plan for camp programs. Financial aid recipients who select the payment plan option for camp programs must pay the remaining balance, not covered by financial assistance, in accordance with the published payment plan. Balances must be paid in full by the date stated in the payment plan. For all other programs, any amount not covered by financial assistance must be paid at the time of registration.

Documents Needed for Financial Assistance:

1. Completed Financial Assistance application
2. Copy of 2019 Federal 1040 tax return filed with IRS
3. Copy of lease/mortgage statement
4. Copy of recent utility bill
5. Copy of recent telephone bill (home or cell), cable, internet or other bill showing address of residence
6. Copy of State or Federal Assistance awards (if applicable)

• Financial Assistance Application
• Solicitud de Ayuda Financiera

PLEASE NOTE: Financial Assistance is not available for Sports, Dance, STEM & Gymnastics Clinics, Pre-K Tot Time, Arts Barn & Casey Community Center Camps.

For financial aid application information or questions, contact Finance & Administration at 301-258-6350.

Children with disabilities ages 3 – 14 may be eligible to participate in our Summer Camp programs. In some instances, an inclusion companion may be assigned to work one-on-one with your child to enhance his or her experience over the summer. The objective of this program is to mainstream the child into the overall camp setting. The emphasis is not to give special or unusual attention to children, which tends to set individuals apart, but rather to create an atmosphere of friendship and acceptance. Registration & requests for companions must be made at least 3 weeks before the start of the program by contacting the Summer Camp Team.

A late fee of $3 per every 10 minutes per child will be charged to parents who arrive late to pick up their children. Payment is due upon arrival and a child may not participate again until the late fee has been paid.

Campers should bring a lunch and beverage daily. Breakfast and/or lunches will be provided by Montgomery County Food & Nutrition Services at selected FARMS camp sites when eligible.

Full refunds will be provided without withdrawal fees through September 1, 2020, due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Summer Camp Programs
Refund requests made on or prior to May 13 are subject to a $10 processing fee per session. Requests after May 13 will be subject to a $30 processing fee per session (withdrawals equaling less than $30 per session are nonrefundable after May 13). A $10 withdrawal fee per session will be charged for cancellation of extended care. No refund after program has started.

Clinics & GYC Mini Camps
Refund requests made on or prior to May 13 are subject to a $10 processing fee per session. No refund after program has started.

Arts Barn & Casey Community Center Camps
Refund requests made on or prior to May 13 are subject to a $10 processing fee per session. Requests after May 13, but more than 30 days prior to the program start, will be subject to a $30 processing fee per session. No refunds or exchanges within 30 days of the start of an art camp. No refunds or exchanges after program has started.

How to Request a Refund
Refund or transfer requests must be made in writing. Please e-mail ParksRec@gaithersburgmd.gov with your child's name, date of birth, camp/program name, the program activity number, and the reason for the request.