Anonymous wrote:George Mason has a lot for middle schoolers specifically in many of the areas you mentioned. They are good quality camps and won’t feel babyish.

Since you’re in Fairfax, you could also check out the FCPS CTE camp, which is held at Robinson this year.

NP. This is a running list of the academic youth camps through GMU. Some of the descriptions are from last year but the links are accurate as far as I can tell from the ones I clicked on.

https://camps.gmu.edu/academic-programs/

Fcps summer school, for cte you can choose up to 4 different classes each week. There’s also ifta if your child’s interested.

https://www.fcps.edu/academics/summer-learning

For at least some of the summer, I'd look for one of those field trip style camps where they go to amusement parks, water parks, climbing gyms, etc. Even better if he has a friend also going the same weeks.

Out of your area, but Montgomery College in MD offers a lot of great classes for teens in the summer. Maybe a community college near you does the same?

My 7th grader enjoyed George Mason's improv comedy camp. It's directed to middle school age.

Fish and Explore does really cool kayaking camps. My kid didn't like being the oldest camper but the activities were good and kid would do it again with a same-age friend.

George Mason has a lot for middle schoolers specifically in many of the areas you mentioned. They are good quality camps and won’t feel babyish.

Since you’re in Fairfax, you could also check out the FCPS CTE camp, which is held at Robinson this year.

I came to suggest TIC too. It’s been great for my kids.

I am not in VA, but depending on what not being into sports means, your kid might like something active but not competitive, like kayaking or hiking or something with Calleva which I think has VA bus routes.

My kids have also enjoyed filmmaking and tech theater, as well as acting. I don’t have local suggestions for you.

Definitely look into Tic Camps
https://ticcamp.com/

They have locations in McLean, DC & Bethesda and offer a wide range of non athletic camps with interests ranging from coding to filmmaking , robotics, photography … they also make sure the kids move and have fun throughout the day as well. They are geared for second graders all the way up to rising sophomores.
My son enrolled when he was younger and loved them.

Interested in camps this summer for my 13 year old son (7th grade currently). He's sort of floundering with what extracurriculars he's interested in. He's not really athletic (plays rec soccer fall and spring) and is quitting band next year.

We are in Fairfax - any great ideas for specific camps? Anything at George Mason? STEM camps, visual arts, robotics, chess, broadcasting, debate? I'm trying to cast a wide net to see what sparks his interest.