Summer Camp

Montessori School of Durham provides a quality and fun summer camp experience for your child. With options for children 3 years old - rising 7th grade, students will express creativity while refining artistic skills in art and pottery camps, delve into the world of musical theater, and more!

Monday – Friday, Morning Camps (8:00 – 12:00) or All-Day Camps (8:00 – 3:00). All Early Childhood Campers must be 3 years old by the start date of camp, out of diapers, and completely toilet-trained and independent in the bathroom.

For more information, contact our Director of Auxiliary Programs Eliza@msdurham.org or (919) 489-9045. Eliza would be happy to set up a time for you to tour the camp spaces, if you are new to MSD!

Stay and Play and Extended Day Options (every week):

Stay and Play - Elementary - rising 1st grade - rising 7th grade. Afternoon half-day camp 12:00-3:00pm with 4:00pm and 5:30pm pickup options. Stay and Play Camp is our signature afternoon camp where children engage in arts and crafts, gardening, water play, and more. In Stay and Play Camp, children eat lunch, rejuvenate quietly indoors, and spend lots of time playing outside with their peers. Cost $140 for 12-3pm pickup, $185 for 12-4:00pm pick up, and $245 for 12-5:30pm pickup. Cost is $55 for 3-4pm pickup and $115 for 3-5:30pm pickup.

Stay and Play - Early Childhood - 3 years old - rising Kindergarten. Only available for the full day (8-3pm) Early Childhood camp option. This option allows families extended day pick up at 4:00pm or 5:30pm. In Stay and Play, children eat lunch, have the option for nap/quiet rest time, explore classroom works, and spend lots of time playing outside with their peers. There are also plenty of opportunities for arts and crafts, gardening, water play, and more! Cost is $55 for 3-4pm pickup and $115 for 3-5:30pm pickup.

Summer Camp Offerings 2024

Week 1 - June 10-14

Summer Fun, Montessori Style with Betsy (Week 1): 3 years old - rising Kindergarten. 8:00am-12:00pm. Each day a new ocean inspired art or craft project will be introduced that the children may choose. We will have free choice of our most popular activities, like building with blocks and magnatiles, painting at the easel, sewing, and clay play. When we head out to the playground, campers can choose to play in the water table or make 'potions' with lots of sensory materials. Hope you can join us! Betsy Evans, MSD Lead Early Childhood and Kindergarten Teacher, will lead this camp. Cost: $265

Fun in the Garden with Betsy Arant: 3 years old - rising Kindergarten. 8:00am-3:00pm. It’s time to get our hands dirty! We’ll be digging, weeding, planting, picking, and sampling the wonderful fruits and vegetables we can grow in our garden. Come learn about how to care for plants and enjoy the natural world around us. Betsy Arant, MSD’s Lead Early Childhood After School Instructor, will lead this camp. Cost: $395.

Clay Everyday with Janine: Rising 1st - rising 7th grade. 8:00am-12:00pm. Join veteran MSD art teacher, Janine Wolf, for a week of everyone’s favorite—POTTERY! We will create 2-3 finished pieces of pottery using the hand building methods of pinch, coil, and slab. We will learn the process that clay goes through from greenware to bisque ware and, finally, finished glassware. Clay is a very satisfying medium. We basically start with a lump of mud and transform it into decorative objects and functional dinnerware. This is a fun and rewarding process! Cost $335.

Sheep to Sweater with Denise (Week 1): rising 1st - rising 7th grade. 8:00-3:00pm. Knitting is said to be one of the most relaxing and calming activities you can do. Knitting, and other fiber crafts such as weaving and crocheting, can help relieve stress and reduce anxiety. During each of these two week-long, full-day camps, we will learn and practice the process of creating yarn from sheep’s fleece and will explore other fibers used for needle crafts (such as cotton, silk, and alpaca). We will learn a few simple knitting and crochet techniques and we will explore weaving on different sized looms. Campers who attend both weeks will have the opportunity to complete a larger project or a variety of smaller projects. Denise Leonard, MSD Lead Early Childhood and Kindergarten Teacher, will lead this camp. Cost: $395

Week 2 - JUNE 17-21 (NO CAMP ON WEDNESDAY for JUNETEENTH)

Summer Fun, Montessori Style with Betsy Evans (Week 2): 3 years old - rising Kindergarten. 8:00am-12:00pm. Each day a new rainbow inspired art or craft project will be introduced that the children may choose. We will have free choice of our most popular activities, like building with blocks and magnatiles, painting at the easel, sewing, and clay play. When we head out to the playground, they can choose to play in the water table or make 'potions' with lots of sensory materials. Hope you can join us! Betsy Evans, (she/her) MSD Lead Early Childhood and Kindergarten Teacher, will lead this camp. Cost: $225

Mythical Creatures with Betsy Arant: 3 years old - rising Kindergarten. 8:00-3:00pm. Unicorns, fairies, and dragons, oh my! Learn about fantastic creatures and hear stories about them from all over the world. We’ll use our imaginations and discover new worlds through fables and fairy tales. Betsy Arant, MSD’s Lead Early Childhood After School Instructor, will lead this camp. Cost: $315

The Art Experience with Janine: Rising 1st - rising 7th grade. 8:00am-12:00pm. The Art Experience" is a four day morning camp focusing on a different art process each day. Day 1--Creative Drawing, Day 2--Bookmaking, Day 3--Painting, 2D and 3D, Day 4--Printmaking. We will use traditional materials in new and exciting ways. Come and join the fun! Cost: $295.

Sheep to Sweater with Denise (Week 2): rising 1st - rising 7th grade. 8:00-3:00pm. Knitting is said to be one of the most relaxing and calming activities you can do. Knitting, and other fiber crafts such as weaving and crocheting, can help relieve stress and reduce anxiety. During each of these week-long full-day camps, we will learn and practice the process of creating yarn from sheep’s fleece and will explore other fibers used for needle crafts (such as cotton, silk, and alpaca). We will learn a few simple knitting and crochet techniques and we will explore weaving on different sized looms. Campers who attend both weeks will have the opportunity to complete a larger project or a variety of smaller projects. Denise Leonard, MSD Lead Early Childhood and Kindergarten Teacher, will lead this camp. Cost: $315

Week 3 - June 24-28

North Carolina Arts & Crafts with Betsy Arant: 3 years old - rising Kindergarten. 8:00am-3:00pm. From the Piedmont to the Blue Ridge Mountains, from pottery to bluegrass, our state has a rich history of arts and culture. We will learn about some traditional North Carolina art forms, as well as the amazing art being made in our state today. We’ll try our hand at pottery, weaving, quilt making, and more! Betsy Arant, MSD’s Lead Early Childhood After School Instructor, will lead this camp. Cost: $395

Around the World: Exploring the Poles with Denise: 3 years old - rising Kindergarten. 8:00am-12:00pm. During this half-day camp, we will ‘travel’ to the South Pole to learn about the seven different types of penguins found in Antarctica before heading north to explore the Arctic tundra. We’ll learn about special adaptations plants and animals need to survive this cold biome. Campers will enjoy completing a variety of crafts and learning songs about each location visited. Denise Leonard, MSD Lead Early Childhood and Kindergarten Teacher, will lead this camp. Cost: $265

Clay Everyday with Janine: Rising 1st - rising 7th grade. 8:00am-12:00pm. Join veteran MSD art teacher, Janine Wolf, for a week of everyone’s favorite—POTTERY! We will create 2-3 finished pieces of pottery using the hand building methods of pinch, coil, and slab. We will learn the process that clay goes through from greenware to bisque ware and finally, finished glassware. Clay is a very satisfying medium. We basically start with a lump of mud and transform it into decorative objects and functional dinnerware. This is a fun and rewarding process! Cost $335.

Elementary Montessori in the Summer with Susannah: Rising 1st - rising 7th grade. 8:00am-3:00pm. Come join us for some time in a Montessori Elementary classroom this summer! Children are invited to explore cultural works, practical life, and crafts, during this summer time away from the classroom. Math and language works will also be available. Every morning, we'll start with playground and group games, transition inside for a typical work cycle, and have time for individual and group reading. Lower El graduates (Upper El kids) are also invited to come revisit some of their old favorite works! This camp is only open to children enrolled at MSD. Susannah Lock, MSD Lead Lower Elementary Teacher, will lead this camp. Cost: $395

(Closed the week of July 1-5)

Week 4 - July 8-12

Down By the Sea with Catherine: 3 years old - rising Kindergarten. 8:00am-3:00pm. Join us for a week of learning all about the five layers of the ocean and the animals that live there! From the dolphins in the Sunlight layer to the angler fish of the Mariana trench, we will explore the world’s watery environment each day. Catherine Froelich, MSD Support Staff and credentialed Montessori teacher, will lead this camp! Cost: $395

Around the World- The Nordic Countries with Denise: 3 years old - rising Kindergarten. 8:00am-12:00pm. During this half-day day camp, we will ‘travel’ to Northern Europe to learn about the countries that make up the Nordic Region. We’ll learn about the flags of Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Iceland, and Finland and explore the area’s land & water forms and discover some of the area’s most interesting plants & animals. Campers will enjoy completing a variety of activities, creating unique crafts, playing games, and singing songs. Denise Leonard, MSD Lead Early Childhood and Kindergarten Teacher, will lead this camp. Cost: $265

Elementary Montessori in the Summer with Susannah: 8:00am-3:00pm. Rising 1st - rising 7th grade. Come join us for some time in a Montessori Elementary classroom this summer! Children are invited to explore cultural works, practical life, and crafts, during this summer time away from the classroom. Math and language works will also be available. Every morning, we'll start with playground and group games, transition inside for a typical work cycle, and have time for individual and group reading. Lower El graduates (Upper El kids) are also invited to come revisit some of their old favorite works! This camp is only open to children enrolled at MSD. Susannah Lock, MSD Lead Lower Elementary Teacher, will lead this camp. Cost: $395

Captain EnergyPants - Save STEM City! With Shelby: 8:00am-3:00pm. Rising 1st - rising 7th grade. Explore sustainability in the city as you design a futuristic city. Discover how water, electricity, and trash are taken to and from city buildings! We will figure out how to fix broken water lines, discover where trash and waste go, and find out why cities have living spaces on top of skyscrapers. Our goal? Create a sustainable city that focuses on its citizens and renewable energy sources. Be ready to get creative with recyclable materials! STEM for Kids instructor, Shelby Jones, will lead this camp. Cost: $410

Week 5 - July 15-19

Nature Stories with Charlotte (Dragonfly Nature Camp): 3 years old - rising Kindergarten. 8:00am-3:00pm. Participants will be immersed in the fascinating natural world, exploring plants, animals and their habitats. Each day, participants will delve into a nature-themed picture book that will inspire the activities of the day. Through interactive stories, crafts, activities, and outdoor exploration, participants will gain a deeper understanding and appreciation for the natural world around them. Nature Stories aims to foster a love for nature, inspire curiosity, and instill a sense of connection with our planet's incredible biodiversity. Charlotte Saylor, Dragonfly Nature Programs Instructor, will lead this camp. Cost:$395

Around the World: Scotland with Denise: 3 years old - rising Kindergarten. 8:00am-12:00pm. During this half-day day camp, we will ‘travel’ to Scotland: the land of thistle, bagpipes, and tartan kilts! We’ll learn about some of this country’s most famous myths and legends, we’ll explore its magnificent castles, and we’ll have fun learning about Scotland’s national animal (the unicorn)! Throughout the week campers will enjoy playing mini-golf, listening to silly stories, and creating Scottish-themed art! Denise Leonard, MSD Lead Early Childhood and Kindergarten Teacher, will lead this camp. Cost:$265

Elementary Montessori in the Summer with Scott (Week 1): rising 1st grade - rising 7th grade. 8:00am-3:00pm. Come join us for some time in a Montessori Elementary classroom this summer! Children are invited to explore cultural works, practical life, and crafts, during this summer time away from the classroom. Math and language works will also be available. Every morning, we'll start with playground and group games, transition inside for a typical work cycle, and have time for individual and group reading. Lower El graduates (Upper El kids) are also invited to come revisit some of their old favorite works! This camp is only open to children enrolled at MSD. Scott McFarlane, MSD Lead Lower Elementary Teacher, will lead this camp. Cost: $395

Wilderness Medicine with Little Medical School: rising 1st grade - rising 7th grade. 8:00am-12pm. Little Medical School inspires young minds by sharing our passion for learning, health and careers in medicine. Through hands-on activities, role-play, and interactive demonstrations, children explore the exciting world of healthcare. In Wilderness Medicine, campers will learn about some of the dangers in the wild such as bug bites, snake bites, and poisonous plants. They will practice splinting a broken leg, tying a tourniquet, and filtering water. Little Medical School programs are written by experienced educators, board-certified physicians and trained healthcare professionals. Trained Little Medical School ® Instructors will lead this camp. Cost: $300

Week 6 - July 22-26

Puppetpalooza with Betsy Arant: 3 years old - rising Kindergarten. 8:00am-3:00pm. Hand puppets, sock puppets, shadow puppets, finger puppets – we’ll do it all. Explore the wonderful world of puppetry with fun crafts and creative activities. This is a great chance to use our imaginations and create stories using art. Betsy Arant, MSD’s Lead Early Childhood After School Instructor, will lead this camp. Cost: $395

Summer Fun, Montessori Style with Betsy Evans (Week 3): 3 years old - rising Kindergarten. 8:00am-12:00pm. Each day a new bird inspired art or craft project will be introduced that the children may choose. We will have free choice of our most popular activities, like building with blocks and magnatiles, painting at the easel, sewing, and clay play. When we head out to the playground, campers can choose to play in the water table or make 'potions' with lots of sensory materials. Hope you can join us! Betsy Evans, MSD Lead Early Childhood and Kindergarten Teacher, will lead this camp. Cost: $265

Elementary Montessori in the Summer with Scott (Week 2): rising 1st - rising 7th grade. 8:00am-3:00pm. Come join us for some time in a Montessori Elementary classroom this summer! Children are invited to explore cultural works, practical life, and crafts, during this summer time away from the classroom. Math and language works will also be available. Every morning, we'll start with playground and group games, transition inside for a typical work cycle, and have time for individual and group reading. Lower El graduates (Upper El kids) are also invited to come revisit some of their old favorite works! This camp is only open to children enrolled at MSD. Scott McFarlane, MSD Lead Lower Elementary Teacher, will lead this camp. Cost: $395

Dream Big Drama Camp with Vault Theatre: rising 1st grade - rising 7th grade. 8:00am - 3:00pm. This creative drama camp encourages young artists to unlock the imagination as we dream big in this camp. This high-energy theater camp will explore bigger than life stories and how to bring them to life in a final, original presentation. Guided by a teaching artist, campers will learn how to use the tools of an actor: voice, body, and imagination. Young artists will take this learning and collaborate as an ensemble to create dynamic characters acting out some of our favorite stories. Cost: $410

Week 7 - July 29-August 2

Community Helpers with Betsy Arant: 3 year olds - rising Kindergarten. 8:00am-3:00pm. Firefighters, librarians, sanitation workers, bus drivers – what do these people have in common? They help make our city run from day to day! We’ll explore the many ways that people in our community help each other, and how we can do the same. Betsy Arant, MSD’s Lead Early Childhood After School Instructor, will lead this camp. Cost: $395

Around the World- The Great Plains with Denise: 3 year olds - rising kindergarten. 8:00am-12:00pm. During this half-day day camp, we’ll visit the ‘Great Plains.’ We’ll learn about the three types of American prairie (shortgrass, mixed grass, and tallgrass) and how they change with each season. Throughout the week, campers will have fun exploring the plants and animals that thrive in these temperate grassland habitats and enjoy learning about some of the native people of the Great Plains through crafts, games, and songs! Denise Leonard, MSD Lead Early Childhood and Kindergarten Teacher, will lead this camp. Cost: $265

Rainbow Camp with Sid (Lower El): Rising 1st - rising 3rd grade. 8:00am-3:00pm. In this full-day camp, participants will engage in fun, interactive, developmentally appropriate, and accessible discussions and activities focused on self and family identities and pride, justice, intersectionality, and allyship. Activities will include creating a play or community outreach project and a Drag Storytime. Participants will be encouraged to share their voice, passions, and lived experiences with their communities. Rainbow Summer Camp is an inclusive and affirming space to BE WHO YOU ARE! All children are affirmed in Rainbow Summer Camp, including LGBTQ+ and gender diverse children of any race, country of origin, culture, and ability. Sid Sideris, MSD Lower Elementary Assistant Teacher, will lead this camp. Cost: $395

Fiber Fun 2.0 with Pamela and Katie: Rising 1st - rising 7th grade. 8:00am-3:00pm. Fiber Fun 2.0 is a full-day summer camp unique to MSD. This adventure is led by summer camp instructors and MSD support staff, Pamela and Katie, both of whom have lots of experience in fiber arts and enjoy sharing techniques and ideas with children. Campers will learn how to begin and end a variety of fiber arts projects using crochet, knitting, weaving, and hand sewing, ending with a project that incorporates several of the techniques they have learned. Cost: $395

Week 8 - August 5-9

Pollinator Power with Betsy Arant: 3 year olds - rising 1st grade. 8:00am-3:00pm. Did you know that bees and butterflies are not our only pollinator pals? We can also thank flies, bats, mice, and even lemurs for helping plants grow around the world. We will learn more about all of these fascinating creatures and how pollination works. We will even get to visit MSD’s own beehives and try some of the honey our bees have made. Betsy Arant, MSD’s Lead Early Childhood After School Instructor, will lead this camp. Cost: $395

Kitchen Science with Catherine: 3 year olds - rising Kindergarten. 8:00am-12:00pm. Get ready for plenty of “Oohs” and “Aahs'' during this half-day camp. Campers will explore science related activities using items found at home. They will begin to understand chemical reactions, water density, and non-newtonian fluids (just to name a few) while conducting hands-on experiments! Some experiments will include…Non-newtonian fluids- cornstarch slime/ oobleck. Catherine Froelich, MSD Support Staff and credentialed Montessori teacher, will lead this camp. Cost: $265

Rainbow Camp with Sid (Upper El.): Rising 4th - rising 7th grade. 8:00am-3:00pm. In this full-day camp, participants will engage in fun, interactive, developmentally appropriate, and accessible discussions and activities focused on self and family identities and pride, justice, intersectionality, and allyship. Activities will include creating a play or community outreach project and a Drag Storytime. Participants will be encouraged to share their voice, passions, and lived experiences with their communities. Rainbow Summer Camp is an inclusive and affirming space to BE WHO YOU ARE! All children are affirmed in Rainbow Summer Camp, including LGBTQ+ and gender diverse children of any race, country of origin, culture, and ability. Sid Sideris, MSD Lower Elementary Assistant Teacher, will lead this camp. Cost: $395

Citizen Naturalists- BIOBLITZ with Rachel: Rising 1st - rising 7th grade. 8:00am-12:00pm. Dragonfly Nature Programs is excited to offer Citizen Naturalists: BIOBLITZ, a half-day summer camp for elementary age students. The focus of the week will be to catalog as many plants, animals, and fungi as we can, reporting our findings to appropriate citizen science projects. Participants will learn naturalist practices like identification techniques, safe capture-and-release, and will learn how to use the tools of our trade: identification guides, binoculars, nets, hand lenses, and microscopes. Students will gain a sense of our human spaces as shared wildlife spaces. Our week together will be playful, active, and most of our time will be spent outdoors, exploring the school’s campus and natural areas. Cost: $335

Week 9 - August 12-16

Wonderful Water with Betsy Arant: 3 years old - rising Kindergarten. 8:00am-3:00pm. From our own bodies to the seven seas, water is a big part of our lives. We will explore the many ways water helps the world go around through games, crafts, and lots of outdoor fun. Summer is the perfect time to make a splash and cool off with some watery adventures. Betsy Arant, MSD’s Lead Early Childhood After School Instructor, will lead this camp. Cost: $395

Cooking with Books with Catherine: 3 years old - rising Kindergarten. 8:00-12:00pm. Combining food preparation with literature, this camp will explore well-loved tales that feature cooking elements. We’ll read The Little Red Hen and bake bread, Blueberries for Sal and make blueberry muffins, and more! Catherine Froelich, MSD Support Staff and credentialed Montessori teacher, will lead this camp. Cost: $265

Ultimate Frisbee with Triangle Ultimate: Rising 1st - rising 7th grade. 8:00am-3:00pm. Explore the benefits and joys of the game of Ultimate! From skills development, exercise, friendships, mini games & scrimmages, and character building, we’ll use teamwork and have lots of fun! T-shirts and Ultimate Disc included with camp registration. Camp will be held on the field at MSD and at Cornwallis Park. Triangle Ultimate staff will lead this camp. Cost: $410

Sew with Me! with Pamela: Rising 1st grade - rising 7th grade. 8:00am-3:00pm. In “Sew With Me!” camp we will learn or enhance both machine and hand sewing techniques while using creativity and imagination. We will sew our own tote bags as we learn and develop the skills of machine sewing. We will design decorative hand sewn elements to make it our own! Campers will also choose a project using repurposed clothing items and give old garments new life as they practice the skills they have acquired. Pamela, MSD Support Staff, is passionate about sewing and sharing the enjoyment she’s found in her many creative pursuits using fabrics both new and found! Cost: $395

Stay and Play Options (every week)

Stay and Play - Early Childhood - 3 years old - rising Kindergarten. Afternoon camp for pick ups at 4:00pm and 5:30pm. Stay and Play Camp is our signature afternoon camp where children engage in arts and crafts, gardening, water play, and more. In Stay and Play Camp, children eat an afternoon snack, explore classroom works, and spend lots of time playing outside with their peers. Cost is $55 for 3-4pm pickup and $115 for 3-5:30pm pickup.

Stay and Play - Elementary - rising 1st grade - rising 7th grade. Afternoon half-day camp 12:00-3:00pm with 4:00pm and 5:30pm pickup options. Stay and Play Camp is our signature afternoon camp where children engage in arts and crafts, gardening, water play, and more. In Stay and Play Camp, children eat lunch, rejuvenate quietly indoors, and spend lots of time playing outside with their peers. Cost $140 for 12-3pm pickup, $185 for 12-4:00pm pick up, and $245 for 12-5:30pm pickup. Cost is $55 for 3-4pm pickup and $115 for 3-5:30pm pickup.

Infant, Toddler, & Early Childhood Summer Programs

Our Infant, Toddler, and Early Childhood Summer Programs provide students a continuation of the school year in the classrooms with the freedom to choose work that follows their interests. Our teachers lead these programs to maintain momentum from the school year, giving small and large group lessons with the Montessori materials. Children will choose work from the shelves, garden, and participate in outside water activities and art projects.

The MSD Infant Summer Program is available to current MSD Infant students who have not yet turned 18 months old. If there are remaining spaces available, contracts for the Infant Summer Program will be offered to newly enrolled (for the upcoming year) infant students. The program is Monday through Friday from 8am-3pm, 4pm, or 5:30pm.

The MSD Toddler Summer Program is available to current MSD Toddler students who have not yet turned 3 years old. If there are remaining spaces available, contracts for the Toddler Summer Program will be offered to newly enrolled (for the upcoming year) all-day toddler students that have turned 2 years old by September 1st. The program is Monday through Friday from 8am-12pm, 3pm, 4pm, or 5:30pm.

The MSD Early Childhood Summer Program is available to current MSD Early Childhood students who have completed at least one year of Early Childhood. The program is Monday through Friday from 8am-12pm, 3pm, 4pm, or 5:30pm.

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