Registration Now Open!
- All campers must be fully self toileting and the correct age for the camp. Campers should be able to separate from parents with minimal or no distress and be interested in playing and learning in a group setting (no “runners” should be enrolled without planned special accommodation– see below).
- Children with special needs often need accommodations, which can range from educator awareness to hiring a personal aide. If your child has ANY special needs such as but not limited to allergies, autism, anxiety, depression, speech delays, oppositional defiant disorder, ADHD, developmental delays, limited mobility, genetic disorders, eating disorders, or any undiagnosed symptoms that parents or educators have concerns about, you must list them on the application. List any medical or behavioral issues that your child has even if you believe that it would not prevent full participation in The Mayapple School’s summer camps or you believe your child does not need accommodations. A summer camp educator will discuss your child’s needs with you. Please be aware that supports may come with increased costs of attendance and/or requirement to complete a scholarship application to cover costs of special accommodation. If either parents or summer camp educators do not believe that they are able to create a plan that will allow your child to benefit from The Mayapple School while maintaining the integrity of the program, your registration fees will be returned to you, so long as there is advance notice of more than 6 weeks prior to camp.
- A number of scholarship spots are reserved for children from families who demonstrate financial or special need at the discretion of The Mayapple School Board.
- All camps are drop off camps.
- While no two camps are alike, all Mayapple School camps are designed to foster connection to the land and a sense of belonging. Through farm experiences, adventuring and exploration, or creative projects, our nature-rich camps renew campers’ love and excitement for the outdoors. All camps are outdoor camps.
COVID-19 risk mitigation procedures are currently in effect at The Mayapple School. COVID-19 risk mitigation procedures will be updated as the changing situation requires, and policies will be sent before summer camp begins.
Refund Policy:
- Refund requests made more than 6 weeks prior to the start date of camp are subject to a 20% fee per session of camp.
- Refund requests made 4-6 weeks prior to the start date of camp are subject to 40% fee per session of camp.
- Refund requests made with 2-4 weeks notice prior to the start date of camp are subject to a 60% fee per session of camp.
- Refund requests made with less than 2 weeks of prior notice will not be granted.
Scholarship Application:
*Only ONE scholarship for one week of camp per child will be awarded each summer*
Please find out your family’s income as a percent of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL) here . Limited scholarships are available and scholarships based on financial need generally adhere to the following parameters:
- 0 – 185% of the FPL (full scholarship).
- 186 – 205% of the FPL (greatly reduced fee scholarship)
- 206 – 225% of the FPL (partially reduced fee scholarship)
Should your child need a personal or small group aide, or other supports that come with additional costs, you may also apply for a scholarship. Limited scholarship are available, and special need scholarships also include consideration of financial need.
You will receive a decision about your scholarship award within 6 weeks of your application. Please email Jenna Booth at themayappleschool@gmail.com if you have questions about scholarships.
*Only ONE scholarship for one week of camp per child will be awarded each summer*
Camps at a Glance:
| Dates and Times of Camp | Name | Ages of Campers | Full Cost if paid by check (online payment is available but will incur an additional cost) |
| June 3 – 7 8:45am – 3:45pm | Animal Adventures at Glade Church and Heritage Park, Blacksburg | 6 – 9 | $315 |
| June 10 – 14 8:45 am – 3:45 pm | Yes! Paint! at Glade Church and Heritage Park, Blacksburg | 7 – 10 | $325 |
| June 17 – 21 8:45 am – 12:45 pm | How to Catch a Monster at The Mayapple School | 3 – 6 | $180 |
| June 24 – 28 8:45 am – 2:45 pm | Mess Makers, Inc. at The Mayapple School | 3 – 6 | $275 |
| July 1 – 5 8:45 – 3:45 | Outdoor Engineers 3 days at The Mayapple School and 2 days at Price Park | 7-10 | $315 |
| July 8 – 12 8:45 am – 3:15 pm | Science Lab 4 days at The Mayapple School and 1 day at Price Park | 4 – 8 | $295 |
| July 15 – 19 8:45 am – 12:45 pm | Story and Stage at The Mayapple School | 4 – 8 | $180 |
| July 22 – 26 8:30 am – 3:30 pm | Elements of Survival at The Izaak Walton League, Christiansburg | 8 – 11 | $315 |
| July 29 – Aug 1 8:45 am – 1:15 pm | Dairy Camp at Keffer Dairy, Sinking Creek Valley, Craig County | 4-7 | $165 |
| August 5 – 9 9 am – 12 pm | Fairies and Gnomes at The Mayapple School | 3-6 | $145 |
Continue for descriptions of all camps.
Animal Adventures
Each day, campers will inhabit the world of a different animal through dramatic play and games that hone special animal skills. Our adventures will straddle the line between appreciation of the real and delight in the imaginary as we make maps, build animal homes, and participate in art and story. We’ll hone our tracking skills as we look for and learn about animals and their signs.
This camp is held rain or shine from our base at Glade Church, In cases of very heavy or all-day rain, or for specific projects, up to 1/3 of the day may be held indoors. Please provide a morning snack and lunch for your child. The Mayapple School will provide an afternoon snack.
Dairy Camp
Experience life on a working dairy in the Sinking Creek Valley of Craig County at the Keffer Dairy, a three-generation farm. Campers will learn about farm animals and crops, insect pollinators, and farm machines from experienced farmers and educators. We’ll make dairy products, learn and experience proper calf feeding and handling first hand, hike the cow hill, explore tractors and farming implements, and play games on the hay bales. Keffer Dairy will offer early drop off for one day (date TBD) at 8 am so campers can see the milking process. Please note there is no camp on Friday. This outdoor camp is held rain or shine. Campers should bring their own snack and lunch. This camp is not recommended for campers with a dairy allergy.
Elements of Survival
Human beings are designed to not just survive but also thrive in the natural world. Even in today’s busy modern world, returning back to the wild is essential for our well-being. But do you know how? In this camp, we’ll explore that question – both with and without pre-made materials.
In this camp, we’ll explore various tools, skills, and gear that people can use in a nature immersion experience, with a focus on the most elemental – food, shelter, and water. We’ll learn how to set up a tent, and also learn how to make waterproof shelters with only the materials that the landscape provides. We’ll build and cook over fires, harvest and bake with wild yeasts, go fishing, filter and harvest water, and use plant fibers to make our own rope.
This camp is held rain or shine at the club house and surrounding grounds of Izaak Walton League in Christiansburg. Archery and target practices are not included as activities at this camp. Please provide a morning snack and lunch for your child. The Mayapple School will provide an afternoon snack.
Fairies and Gnomes
The natural world glimmers with magic and fantasy at this summer camp where it’s all about fairies and gnomes! Children will participate in themed read alouds, storytelling, and dramatic play. We’ll also play with size and scale as we make maps of fairyland and build gnome houses. We’ll mix up “magic potions”, work in the garden, and create art while exploring The Mayapple School’s outdoor classroom and woodland area. This outdoor camp is held rain or shine. Campers should bring their own snack.
How to Catch a Monster
Maybe you know the Big Green Monster, or perhaps Nibbles, the Terrible Whatzit, Wild Things, or the Gruffalo. During this camp, we’ll enjoy meeting these and other monsters in their books, and we’ll also imagine an escape! Yes, that’s right– it’s up to us to find and catch a monster, which we can only do by solving a set of “escape room” style puzzles that use all of our smarts and creativity. Through books, pretend play, a food-making project, and art, children will practice becoming masters of their own imagination, allowing the world of monsters to thrill them before packing that monster away (because after all, monsters are only pretend). Like all of our camps, we will be outdoors rain or shine, so come prepared for the weather. Campers should bring a morning snack and a lunch.
Mess Makers, Inc.
Young artists and materials scientists will explore their creativity with a variety of process-art and sensory filled experiences. We’ll make goop with psyllium husk powder, host a mud pie bakery, and make our own playdough. Of course, this camp can’t be complete without a paint-and-tape filled art fort, face and body painting, and water play! From too much glue to watermelon volcanoes, be prepared to make a mess! (And don’t worry, you can wash your hands when you’re done!)
Like all of our camps, we will be outdoors rain or shine, so come prepared for the weather. Campers should bring a morning snack and a lunch. To accommodate some activities and in cases of heavy rain, we may spend up to ⅓ of the day inside.
Outdoor Engineers
Young architects, engineers, and makers will build structures and solve problems during four STEAM-filled days. Campers will experiment with simple machines, solve problems using unlikely materials, and practice teamwork. We’ll look at how fire works, and experiment with the properties of water, earth, and wind. Pulleys and ramps, levers and fulcrums, robotic mice, shoes made out of newspaper, magnets, circuit boards, team building games, or a little bit of paint could make an appearance at this camp.
This camp is held rain or shine from our base at Glade Church, In cases of very heavy or all-day rain, or for specific projects, up to 1/3 of the day may be held indoors. Please provide a morning snack and lunch for your child. The Mayapple School will provide an afternoon snack.
Science Lab
Every day holds a new opportunity to explore science demonstrations and experiments. In this hands-on camp, budding scientists will use the power of the sun to make art, build and cook over a fire, make their own musical instruments, and experiment with wheels, gravity, magnetism, and more. Ask “why” as much as you like, and try to find the answers! Bring a bicycle, ride-on, scooter, or tricycle with helmet on our “wheels” day and ride on a short bicycle path above the school.
Like all of our camps, we will be outdoors rain or shine, so come prepared for the weather. Campers should bring a morning snack and a lunch.
Story and Stage
Does your child live for the immersive, complex imaginary play that seems to take over and become their whole world for an afternoon… or more? This camp is for them! In this session, campers will role play different parts in stories and create and act out their own, with a performance for families held at 12:15 on Friday. Other activities can include storytelling and song by the campfire and making and using props, costumes, and puppets. Like all of our camps, we will be outdoors rain or shine, so come prepared for the weather. Campers should bring a morning snack and a lunch.
Yes! Paint!
At this art-filled camp, painting is just the beginning. Artists will experiment with design and color in the world of painting, drawing, printmaking, sculpture, and constructing in order to bring their creative visions to life. Along the way, we’ll adventure on some nature explorations to inspire us and play games to hone our visual skills. Let’s experience summer fun while taking our love of arts and crafts to the next level!
Like all of our camps, we spend time outdoors rain or shine, so come prepared for the weather! Campers should bring a morning snack and a lunch. Afternoon snack is provided by The Mayapple School. Our drop off and pick up location will be Glade Church every day, from which we will adventure into nearby Heritage Park.