Summer Camps

The FCM runs camps in June and July for three age levels: Summertime on the Frontier for 5-7 year olds, Playing in the Past for 8-9 year olds, and Living in History for 10-12 year olds. Campers must be the appropriate age for camp by the start of camp. See below for more information about each camp.

Registration for 2025 camps is Now open.

Length and Hours

Each camp runs from 8-5 Monday through Friday, with the exception of the week of the Fourth of July, which will be a 4 day camp. 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 (5-7 years)

Ages: 5-7 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

Summertime on the Frontier Camp information and authorized individuals for picking up your camper. These forms must be completed and turned into 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 2-6
Session #2: June 9-13
Session #3: June 16-20
Session #4: June 23-27
Session #5: June 30-July 3 (Only 4 days, pro-rated)
Session #6: July 7-11
Session #7: July 14-18
Session #8: July 21-25

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.

Playing in the Past Camp (8-9 years)

Ages: 8-9 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 into the Visitor’s Center before the start of camp to fully register your child.

Please note that the Playing in the Past 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 2-6 (New World Focus)
Session #2: June 9-13 (Old World Focus)
Session #3: June 16-20 (New World Focus)
Session #4: June 23-27 (Old World Focus)
Session #5: June 30-July 3 (Only 4 days, pro-rated) (New World Focus)
Session #6: July 7-11 (Old World Focus)
Session #7: July 14-18 (New World Focus)
Session #8: July 21-25 (Old World Focus)

Playing in the Past Camp introduces campers to more immersive historical activities, while maintaining time for play and crafts. Some of the skills your camper will learn are: baking, woodworking, textiles, historical games, dancing, gardening, working with farm animals, and more! The focus is on how children in the past lived and what they did every day, with exploration and tactile learning. Your camper will wear a museum shirt included in the cost of camp. Campers will participate in baking bread or rolls and tasting it on Thursdays.

Living in History Camp (10-12 years)

Ages: 10-12 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 into 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 2-6 (Old World Focus)
Session #2: June 9-13 (New World Focus)
Session #3: June 16-20 (Old World Focus)
Session #4: June 23-27 (New World Focus)
Session #5: June 30-July 3 (Only 4 days, pro-rated) (Old World Focus)
Session #6: July 7-11 (New World Focus)
Session #7: July 14-18 (Old World Focus)
Session #8: July 21-25 (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.