Summer Camps, Programs and Food Support for Children
Are you wondering how to keep your child busy during summer break? There are several options for finding a youth camp.
Start with 211's database of free and low-cost summer camps and recreation programs throughout Maryland.
Search by ZIP code to find one near you.
Find a Maryland Summer Camp
Maryland summer camps are offered by Parks & Recreation programs, the YMCA, and other community organizations.
The Maryland Department of Health licenses youth camps to ensure they are safe for children and that the database of licensed camps is publicly searchable.
Grown-ups can search the licensed camps and specialized activities by camp name, license number, or county.
Baltimore City Camps
The Baltimore Family Alliance also compiles a local summer camp directory for families and caregivers in the Baltimore City area.
You must provide your name and email to download the resources.
Mentoring and Enrichment Programs
211 also provides a list of youth enrichment programs, such as academic programs, arts and crafts classes, sports, reading clubs, and other recreational, leisure, cultural, social, and civic activities for school-aged children and youth when school is not in session.
There are also tutoring and mentoring programs available.
We also have searches for public schools. Check with your local school district to see if they have a summer program or summer school.
Search for:
Summer Food For School-Aged Children
Many school districts offer healthy meals to children during the summer as an extension of services provided during the school year. You don't need to register or provide identification to receive the food for children 18 and under.
The programs are typically at the library, school, faith-based organization, recreation center, or another community partner.
Summer food sites are available from June through September.
SUN Bucks: Summer Groceries for Children
Maryland SUN Bucks is an Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) program to reduce summer hunger. Many children who receive free or reduced-price meals during the school year are also eligible for this summer grocery program.
Eligible families will receive $120 per child ($40 a month in June, July, and August) to help purchase groceries for their children during the summer when school is closed.
How to enroll
Most Maryland families will be automatically enrolled. You don't have to apply if:
- The household receives free or reduced-price school meals
- The child is aged 5 through 18, and the household participates in SNAP (food stamps), Temporary Cash Assistance (TCA), or Medicaid
- The children are in foster care, homeless, migrant, or runaway
You will need to apply for Maryland SUN Bucks if your child is enrolled in a school where everyone receives free or reduced-price breakfast and/or lunch without an application, and no one in the household receives SNAP, TCA, or Medical Assistance. The household will also need to meet the National School Lunch Program income eligibility guidelines.
Do SUN Bucks expire?
This is a federally funded grocery benefit. The funds expire 122 days after they are issued and can not be reissued.
The program is expected to help feed 50,000 children across the state.
Check your balance, apply, or read Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about SUN Bucks.
Find Resources Now
Find community resources for food, health care, housing and more in our database. Search by ZIP code.
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