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 and 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.

Our camps are tailored to specific age groups, with programs organized by the child’s age as of the upcoming September 1. Campers are grouped into units based on enrollment numbers for each age group. Each unit is supervised by a Senior Counselor (a high school graduate or older) and a Junior Counselor (completed at least 10^th grade). Campsites also have a Team Leader and one or two Assistant Team Leaders, often teachers or college students.

The City requests air conditioning at all camp locations where it is available. However, please note that many MCPS gymnasiums used for our programs are not equipped with air conditioning.

The City is committed to making reasonable accommodations as required by the Americans with Disabilities Act. In order to prepare for the potential needs of all of our participants, requests should be made no later than May 15, by contacting summercamps@gaithersburgmd.gov.

Participants are expected to demonstrate appropriate behavior at all times. All campers will sign a Character Agreement outlining guidelines for behavior and responsibility. City staff will collaborate with parents to address inappropriate behavior, resolve conflicts, and promote positive interactions. Persistent disruptions after parental consultation may result in dismissal from the program.

Dolores C. Swoyer Camp Scholarship

The Dolores C. Swoyer Camp Scholarship Fund, named in memory of the daughter of a former Planning Commissioner and citizen activist, provides financial assistance to City of Gaithersburg families, allowing children to participate in our summer camps. With applications increasing each year, your support can help more families access these energizing, educational, and enriching experiences. To contribute or learn more, contact the Summer Camp Team at 301-258-6350 or summercamps@gaithersburgmd.gov.

More information on financial assistance is available here.

Arts Barn Scholarship Program

The Arts Barn Scholarship Program offers partial scholarships for students needing financial assistance to attend Arts Barn classes, workshops, or camps. Families interested in applying should complete a financial aid application available in the documents section.

If you’d like to help expand scholarship opportunities for aspiring artists, we’d love to hear from you. Please email artsbarn@gaithersburgmd.govto discuss giving opportunities.

In the event of unforeseen circumstances, the Department of Parks, Recreation & Culture may relocate a program to an alternate site. Parents will be notified of any changes as quickly as possible.

For updates on emergency cancellations at City facilities, please visit the City’s website.

During Code Red or high-temperature alerts, programs will limit outdoor activities and may offer alternative indoor options. However, brief outdoor activities may still take place.

Camp registration includes the cost of all field trips, with no additional fees required. Transportation is provided by the City of Gaithersburg or Montgomery County Public School buses and/or vans.

The field trip schedule will be finalized in late spring.

The City uses the ePACT Network to securely collect and manage critical participant information, ensuring we can support your children during program hours. Families will receive a request from ePACT to complete electronic forms for each participating child.

If preferred, paper forms are also available for download in the documents section and must be submitted to the Activity Center front desk by June 15.

• FAQs for Families

Children ages 5–14 with disabilities may be eligible to participate in our Summer Camp programs with the support of an inclusion companion, who works one-on-one to enhance the child’s experience. The goal of this program is to integrate the child into the overall camp setting, fostering an atmosphere of friendship and acceptance rather than providing special or separate attention.

To request inclusion services, please contact the Summer Camp Team by May 15.

A late fee of $1 per minute, per child, will be charged to parents who arrive late for pick-up. Payment is due at the time of pick-up, and campers will not be allowed to return to the program until the fee is paid.

Campers should bring a lunch and beverage each day, avoiding nut products due to allergies. At select camp sites, Montgomery County Food & Nutrition Services may provide breakfast and/or lunch when eligible. Details about meal availability will be shared on Camp Orientation Day.

Refund or transfer requests must be submitted in writing at least 7 days before the start of the session. To request a refund or transfer, email parksrec@gaithersburgmd.gov with your child’s name, date of birth, camp/program name, program activity number, and the reason for the request. Refunds or transfers are not granted after the session begins, except for health-related withdrawals, which may require medical documentation.

Summer Camp, Clinics & Mini Camps Refund Policy

Arts Barn Camp Refund Policy