Adventures don’t have to end when the school year starts. Maymont has introduced a new option for families seeking programming for their students on selected dates when school is out of session.
On select days, students will enjoy leaning fun at Maymont’s 100-acre classroom, meeting native animals, exploring gardens, discovering the past, and learning about nature. From nine to three, Maymont educators will lead students through engaging activities such as scavenger hunts, animal encounters, nature and history walks, and interacting with animal keepers.
“Maymont is introducing Out-of-School Day Camps in response to a community need,” says Krista Weatherford, director of programming and community engagement at Maymont. “We saw a record number of registrations this summer. After talking to parents of our summer campers, we decided to continue the fun throughout the school year.”
How Did Maymont Select Camp Dates?
During the school year, many families scramble to find care for their elementary students on dates when school’ is out for federal or religious holidays, or for teacher planning and professional learning days. Maymont looked at the school calendars for public schools in Richmond, Chesterfield County, and Henrico County, and identified dates that covered most of the area school systems’ days off (with a few exceptions).
Days when many parents are also off work – like Labor Day and Memorial Day, as well as spring break – were avoided because many families spend this free time together.
Maymont Out-of-School Day Camps: Themes and More Information
For single-day camps, each day will be a new adventure with age-appropriate activities that fit the theme of the day, such as Maymont Then and Now, Winter Wonders, Marvels of Virginia, and Plant and Creature Features. Students are enrolled by age group: Terrific Tadpoles for kindergarten and first graders, Raccoon Rangers for second and third graders, Eagle Explorers for fourth through sixth grade students, Black Bear Buccaneers for students in grades six through eight.
Each day will offer new active learning adventures exploring different aspects of Maymont – wildlife, gardens, history, and even careers – with Maymont’s experienced educators in environmental science and social studies.
During winter break, day camps offer the opportunity for youth to participate over consecutive days. Like Maymont’s summer camps, this allows educators to weave a consistent theme into activities and experiments, while building relationships with the youth participants.
“Kids love exploring Maymont, from climbing the 34-foot River Reach sculpture in The Robins Nature Center to dipping nets into the bottom of the Dooley Branch creek,” says Weatherford. “History comes alive in the artifacts and stories that Maymont has collected about the people who lived and worked here.”
Each session will have two experienced adult educators with a nine to one student/teacher ratio. Staff are trained in first aid and CPR. A limited number of spaces are available for each grade level. Maymont members (at the family level and above) save 25% off the $70 registration fee, and discounts are available for certain multi-day packages. All public school, private school, and homeschool students are welcome. The next camp Maymont session is Monday, September 25.
For full details and registration information, visit Maymont.org/day-camps.
