We are all starting to feel it now: school is winding down, a hint of humidity creeping into the morning air, and summer has suddenly arrived at our front porch.
One thing our family cherishes about the area is just how many great summer opportunities exist locally! The challenge is rarely finding something fun to do, but finding out about it before the weekend arrives.
So this week were sharing a few local summer camps, a brewery luau, and a new splash pad worth knowing about.
āļøSummer Camp Roundup
With schools and daycare wrapping up, many families (including us!) are finalizing their summer plans. If camp is still on your list, here are a few worth checking out:
From what we have heard from neighbors, River Valley Ranch is the classic overnight (ages 7 - 17) and day camp (ages 4 - 10) experience. Located about 20 minutes from the Middletown Road I83 exit in Manchester, this Carroll County camp offers horseback riding, zip lining, and a ropes course.
Weekly camps start June 15th and run through August 7th. Day camps start at $400/week with overnight camp options topping out at $1,250/week. Registration is 80% full, so act quick!
Located just east of Hereford, Camp Puhātok is run by the Y of Central Maryland and offers both day and overnight camp experiences on the 1,000+ acre property along Big Gunpowder Falls. Swimming, exploring nature, ropes courses and crafts are just some of the activities highlighted at this camp.
Weekly sessions for day camps start June 22nd and run through August 14th for grades K-6 at an average cost around $500/week. Weekly overnight camps run June 28th - August 21st for grades 2 - 11, and cost $600 - $700 per week depending on your childās age.
For kids who enjoy or are looking to get into horseback riding, Whispering Meadows off Mount Carmel Road in Parkton is a great option. They offer a beginner/intermediate camp for kids ages 6 - 12 and an advanced camp for more seasoned riders ages 10 - 15. Campers spend their days riding, learning horsemanship skills, and helping care for horses.
The first beginner camp runs June 22nd - 26th; they offer two weekly camps in July and another from August 3rd - 7th. The advanced camp takes place June 29th - July 2nd. Camp runs from 8 AM - 2:30 PM and cost $480 for beginner camp and $430 for advanced camp.
If your child is interested in the great outdoors, Genesee Valley is worth a look! Located on Rayville Road in Parkton, campers spend their days, swimming, paddling, fishing, climbing and exploring the 175-acre property.
The weekly camp programs start June 8th and run throughout the summer, with the last weekly camp beginning August 10th. Camp programs are available for children ages 4 to 15, with nature-based day camps for younger campers and sleep-over adventure-focused programs for older kids. General day camp runs $445/week, with the adventure camp priced at $815/week.
If your kids are heading into 5th through 8th grade and want to have an intro to science and tech, check out the HZ Robotics Camp. The Hereford robotics team regularly competes at the State and World tournaments, and local high schoolers will even be supporting the camp.
The camp runs July 20th - 24th at Hereford Middle School and you donāt have to be a BCPS student to attend. They are running a camp for beginners as well as an advanced camp for kids with more experience, both of which are $250.
If your family has a favorite local camp we should feature in a future issue, hit reply and tell us about it!
Front Porch Pick
šŗ Luau at Falling Branch Brewery
If youāre looking for something a little different this weekend, Falling Branch Brewery is hosting a whole hog roast and luau this Sunday, starting at 12 PM until 6 PM. Uncles Hawaiian Grinds will be on-site along with luau dancers to give your family a taste of the Pacific without the 9 hour flight. The luau dancers are only there until 4, so plan accordingly!
A New Arrival
š¦Splash Pad Family Luau ā Y of Central Maryland
Many of our readers find themselves in Towson from time to time, running errands or for work.
This past week the Orokawa Y opened their new splash pad! While youāll need a paid Y membership to use this facility, there is an opportunity to ātest it outā on a hot summer day by signing up for a free 3-day trail. Something to keep in mind for parents who frequent the area over the summer.
š Front Porch Thought
This will be our familyās third summer in the Hereford Zone. While we all look forward to that big summer trip, oftentimes some of our favorite memories occur on a random summer evening.
An impromptu car ride to Prigel. Roasting marshmallows over a crackling backyard fire while in deep conversation with your 5 year old. Setting out a picnic blanket at a local farm brewery while the kids play.
Itās easy for us to get caught up in the business of daily life. This summer, weāre trying to be intentional about appreciating more of these moments.
The simple summer nights, in this wonderful area we call home.
Thanks again for following along with Front Porch Families.
And if you know about a great local event, fundraiser, business, playground, or hidden gem we should feature, please let us know.
