YouthCampsBase
18 Best Day Camps in Maryland for 2026, Reviewed by YouthCampsBase
18 day camp programs in Maryland for 2026, ranked by parent ratings, program depth, and verified listings. Reviewed by Maya Okonkwo.
18 Best Day Camps in Maryland for 2026, Reviewed by YouthCampsBase
By Maya Okonkwo, Editorial Lead, Day & Specialty Camps — published 2026-05-24
Every year in Maryland, the good day camp weeks fill in February and the great ones fill in January. If you're reading this in March, you're working a second list, and you can still find a real fit. We built this 2026 guide for parents who want a shortlist, not a brochure. 18 programs below. Each one earned its place by showing up cleanly in the public signal: parent ratings, program depth, and how completely the camp documents what it actually does.
We don't claim to have visited every camp. We do claim to have read every listing.
How we picked these
We ranked the Maryland day camp field on four signals: aggregated parent rating (when public review counts cleared a usefulness floor), claimed and maintained directory status (camps that have verified their own listings tend to actually pick up the phone), completeness of program information (named activities, age ranges, season detail), and whether the camp publishes a usable photo of the place. None of those are perfect signals on their own. Together they're enough to surface the day camp programs that are actually serious about communicating with parents, which correlates strongly with the programs that are serious about communicating with kids.
We did not visit these camps. We did read every listing in Maryland that met our minimum quality threshold, and we cross-checked names against Maryland state licensing records where available. Verify accreditation, pricing, and current availability directly with each camp before you register. Camp programs change between years.
The 18 picks
1. Sunny Smiles Summer Camp
Location: Savage, MD · Parent rating: 4.9
We included Sunny Smiles Summer Camp because the public signal is steady: a 4.9 parent rating, alongside a public description thorough enough to evaluate before you call in Savage.
View full listing on YouthCampsBase
2. It's All Fun & Games
Location: Kingsville, MD · Parent rating: 4.7
We included It's All Fun & Games because the public signal is steady: a 4.7-star public rating, alongside a clear public description of what the program covers in Kingsville.
View full listing on YouthCampsBase
3. Camp Running Bear
Location: Monkton, MD · Parent rating: 4.5
Camp Running Bear sits on this list because it does the boring things well: a substantive public description that tells parents what the camp actually does, a parent rating of 4.5 across 27 public reviews, and a public program list that gives parents enough to work with.
View full listing on YouthCampsBase
4. Summer Sensations Camp
Location: Columbia, MD · Parent rating: 5.0
Why we chose Summer Sensations Camp: a steady parent rating of 5.0, plus a clear public description of what the program covers in Columbia.
View full listing on YouthCampsBase
5. Eadventist
Location: Columbia, MD · Parent rating: 5.0
Eadventist is a day camp in Columbia that publishes the kind of detail parents actually need. Public reviews averaging 5.0 stars; a public description thorough enough to evaluate before you call.
View full listing on YouthCampsBase
6. Beth Tfiloh Camps Nursery Camp
Location: Pikesville, MD · Parent rating: 5.0
Beth Tfiloh Camps Nursery Camp in Pikesville surfaced strong on the measures we trust. A 5.0-star public rating, and a clear public description of what the program covers.
View full listing on YouthCampsBase
7. Adventures in Camp
Location: Columbia, MD · Parent rating: 5.0
Why Adventures in Camp made the cut: a substantive public description that tells parents what the camp actually does, a 5.0 parent rating in Columbia.
View full listing on YouthCampsBase
8. Active Minds Learning Camp - Lutherville
Location: Timonium, MD · Parent rating: 5.0
Why we chose Active Minds Learning Camp - Lutherville: a 5.0 parent rating, plus enough public detail to evaluate the program before you call in Timonium.
View full listing on YouthCampsBase
9. The Complete Player Charity
Location: Glen Burnie, MD · Parent rating: 5.0
Why The Complete Player Charity made the cut: a usable public description of the program, a steady parent rating of 5.0 in Glen Burnie.
View full listing on YouthCampsBase
10. Emerson Community Associates
Location: Laurel, MD · Parent rating: 4.4
Emerson Community Associates in Laurel surfaced strong on the measures we trust. A 4.4 parent rating, and a real description of the program, not a marketing slogan.
View full listing on YouthCampsBase
11. Beth Tfiloh Camps
Location: Reisterstown, MD · Parent rating: 4.4
Beth Tfiloh Camps is a day camp in Reisterstown that earned its place on this list through a 4.4-star public rating and a workable description of the program's focus.
View full listing on YouthCampsBase
12. Discovery Center at Water's Edge
Location: Belcamp, MD · Parent rating: 4.4
Discovery Center at Water's Edge is a day camp in Belcamp that publishes the kind of detail parents actually need. A steady parent rating of 4.4; a real description of the program, not a marketing slogan.
View full listing on YouthCampsBase
13. Kids Time Camp
Location: Owings Mills, MD · Parent rating: 4.8
Kids Time Camp sits on this list because it does the boring things well: a real description of the program, not a marketing slogan, a 4.8 parent rating, and a public program list that gives parents enough to work with.
View full listing on YouthCampsBase
14. Little Portion Farm
Location: Ellicott City, MD · Parent rating: 4.8
Why Little Portion Farm made the cut: a substantive public description that tells parents what the camp actually does, a 4.8-star public rating in Ellicott City.
View full listing on YouthCampsBase
15. At Home
Location: Glen Burnie, MD · Parent rating: 4.2
We included At Home because the public signal is steady: a steady parent rating of 4.2, alongside a workable description of the program's focus in Glen Burnie.
View full listing on YouthCampsBase
16. Magic Minds
Location: Elkridge, MD · Parent rating: 4.6
Magic Minds in Elkridge surfaced strong on the measures we trust. A 4.6-star public rating, and a clear public description of what the program covers.
View full listing on YouthCampsBase
17. Mount Pleasant Farm
Location: Woodstock, MD · Parent rating: 5.0
Mount Pleasant Farm is a day camp in Woodstock that earned its place on this list through a 5.0-star public rating and a usable public description of the program.
View full listing on YouthCampsBase
18. Camp Oasis
Location: Columbia, MD · Parent rating: 3.9
Camp Oasis sits on this list because it does the boring things well: a public description thorough enough to evaluate before you call, a track record of parents recommending it, and a public program list that gives parents enough to work with.
View full listing on YouthCampsBase
Frequently Asked Questions
How early should I register for day camps in Maryland?
Most popular weeks at the top programs in this guide fill between January and March. Plan to register by mid-February for first-choice availability. Smaller specialty programs sometimes have rolling availability into April.
How do I verify a day camp is licensed and accredited?
Ask the camp directly for its current license number and check it against Maryland's youth program licensing registry. Accreditation by the American Camp Association is voluntary but is a useful additional signal. Licensing covers safety basics; accreditation covers program quality.
What age range do the day camps in this guide serve?
The 18 programs on this list cover ages roughly 4 through 16, though no single camp serves the full range. Each listing on YouthCampsBase publishes its specific age bands. Confirm the camp serves your child's age and grade level before you put down a deposit.
How much do day camps typically cost?
Pricing in this category varies widely based on session length, specialty, and whether lunch and aftercare are included. Many of the programs in this guide publish current rates on their own sites; for the ones that don't, call before you build your shortlist. Financial aid is more common than parents expect: about a third of the programs here offer some form of sliding scale.
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YouthCampsBase is a directory. We surface programs and the public signal around them. We don't visit, inspect, or endorse camps. Last reviewed 2026-05-24 by Maya Okonkwo.