Summer Camps

The FCM runs camps in June and July for two age levels: Summertime on the Frontier for 5-8 year olds and Living in History for 9-12 year olds. See below for more information about each camp.

Registration for 2024 camps is now open! Click here to register!

Length and Hours

Each camp runs from 8-5 Monday through Friday, with the exception of the week of the Fourth of July. Drop-off is between 8 and 8:30 and pick-up is between 4 and 5.  Multiple weeks may be purchased on a week-to-week basis. Registration is not complete until all forms have been signed and returned to the Visitor’s Center.

Program Goals

To Provide:

  • Access to historical activities and museum immersion for school-aged children
  • Supervision by mature, adult staff
  • A healthy and safe environment for children to learn, explore, and engage
  • Choices for historical crafts and games to encourage confidence
  • Mixed age-grouping to promote positive growth and learning
  • Emphasis on movement and outdoor activities

Summer Camp Refund Policy

In the event you must cancel your reservation, you will receive a refund as defined below:

  • Cancellation notice must be submitted in writing
  • Please send notice to visitor.center@fcmv.virginia.gov
  • A $50 processing fee is charged for all cancellations
  • Written notice of cancellation is required four weeks prior to the session start date and will receive a full refund, minus the $50 processing fee
  • Cancellations received less than four weeks of session start date will receive a 50% refund
  • Cancellation requests due to illness or accident prior to the camp session start date require a physician’s written verification. Upon receipt of verification, we will issue a full refund
  • Cancellations due to personal reasons will not receive a refund
  • Campers who leave during a session WILL NOT receive a refund

Summertime on the Frontier Camp (5-8 years)

Summertime on the Frontier Camp

Ages: 5-8 years old
Cost: $175
Times: All Day 8 AM – 5 PM

Note: To complete registration, you will need to fill out a series of forms, including medical information and authorized individuals for picking up your camper. These forms must be completed and turned in to the Visitor’s Center before the start of camp to fully register your child.

Parents may drop off their child beginning no earlier than 8 AM and pick up their child no later than 5 PM. Drop-off and pick-up will both be at the Octagonal Barn. Camp activities begin around 8:30 AM. Campers may be picked up between 4 and 5 PM. Lunch is not provided, so please make sure to pack your camper fuel for having fun.

Session #1: June 3-7
Session #2: June 10-14
Session #3: June 17-21
Session #4: June 24-28
Session #5: July 1-3 (Only 3 days, pro-rated)
Session #6: July 8-12
Session #7: July 15-19
Session #8: July 22-26

Many exciting adventures are waiting for your children at this year’s Summertime on the Frontier Camp! Children will participate in activities such as feeding the livestock, fishing, singing and dancing, playing historic games, crafts, a lesson in the schoolhouse, and more. The itinerary repeats every week throughout the summer. More detail will be available in the welcome packet sent after registration. Younger campers do not dress in historic clothing every day. They will be given a Museum shirt to wear each day, included in the cost of camp.

We will send your child home a little dirty, a little tired, but also with a better appreciation for life in the past. The Museum will provide snacks and refreshments throughout the day, but children are expected to pack a lunch. We advise campers to wear clothing that is appropriate for messy and wet outdoor activities.

Parents are invited to join their camper Friday afternoons for Parent’s Day. Younger campers will be able to show off their fishing skills to their parents/guardians and then all campers will convene to demonstrate the dances they’ve learned throughout the week and reflect on their favorite parts.

Living in History Camp (9-12 years)

Living in History Camp

Ages: 9-12 years old
Cost: $175
Times: All Day 8:00 AM – 5 PM

Note: To complete registration, you will need to fill out a series of forms, including medical information and authorized individuals for picking up your camper. These forms must be completed and turned in to the Visitor’s Center before the start of camp to fully register your child.

Parents may drop off their child beginning no earlier than 8 AM and pick up their child no later than 5 PM. Drop-off and pick-up will both be at the Octagonal Barn. Camp activities begin around 8:30 AM. Campers may be picked up between 4 and 5 PM. Lunch is not provided, so please make sure to pack your camper a healthy lunch.

Please note that the Living in History camp alternates focus between the Old World and the New World every other week. Activities differ based on which side of the museum is the focus. The weeks’ itineraries repeat throughout the summer.

Session #1: June 3-7 (Old World Focus)
Session #2: June 10-14 (New World Focus)
Session #3: June 17-21 (Old World Focus)
Session #4: June 24-28 (New World Focus)
Session #5: July 1-3 (Only 3 days, pro-rated) (Old World Focus)
Session #6: July 8-12 (New World Focus)
Session #7: July 15-20 (Old World Focus)
Session #8: July 22-23 (New World Focus)

Living in History Camp delves more deeply into historical topics and daily life. Some of the skills your camper will learn are: historical interpreting, cooking, woodworking, textiles, historical games, dancing, gardening and field work, working with farm animals, and more! The focus is on how people lived and what they did every day. Your camper will not be dressed in historic clothing every day, but will wear a museum shirt included in the cost of camp. Campers will participate in cooking historic foods and tasting them on Thursdays. On Fridays, your camper will get to wear historic clothing as they play games and present what they’ve learned to you at our afternoon Parent’s Day activities.