LA PLATA, Md. — Charles County Public Schools is expanding its summer offerings in 2026, giving students more opportunities to stay active, explore interests and even earn money during the break.
District leaders outlined the plans during a March 23 Board of Education work session, highlighting a mix of camps, enrichment programs and workforce opportunities designed to reach students at every level.
Students Can Earn Money This Summer
One of the biggest highlights is the continued push to connect students with real-world job experience.
Through the Summer Youth Employment Program, students will be placed in work settings across the county, giving them a chance to build real-world experience while earning money.
“Students get an opportunity to go out in the workplace… and they get paid for these work experiences,” officials said.
The program focuses on older students, particularly rising 11th and 12th graders, as they prepare for life after graduation.
“Transportation will not be provided, but lunch will be available,” officials said.
More Than Just Camps
Beyond jobs, the school system is offering a wide range of camps designed to give students hands-on experiences outside the traditional classroom.
From science and technology to arts and career exploration, officials said the goal is to give students opportunities to try something new and discover potential career paths.
“These are great opportunities for students to meet with teachers and hear from students who are currently in those programs,” officials said.
Programs include career exploration camps, Advanced Placement boot camps and a variety of enrichment options for younger students.
Registration Already Open For Some Programs
Some camps are already open for registration, including offerings at the Nanjemoy Environmental Center.
Officials said families can begin signing up now, with one-day themed camps available throughout the summer.
“Those registration links are actually available currently on the website,” officials said.
New Programs Aim To Build Skills Earlier
This summer will also introduce new opportunities, including Camp Rise, which focuses on helping middle school students build job readiness skills earlier.
Officials said the program is designed to introduce workplace expectations and help students develop confidence before entering high school.
School officials said some programs were not fully utilized last summer and that increasing participation will be a priority this year. “We want to make sure we maximize every seat,” officials said.
The discussion also touched on program costs and long-term funding.
Board member David Hancock raised concerns about program costs during the discussion, as officials acknowledged ongoing conversations around funding and affordability. Leaders said there is hope that future budget adjustments or additional funding could help keep more summer opportunities free or low-cost for families.
Officials said additional details, including registration timelines and program availability, will continue to be shared with families in the coming weeks.
To learn more about the summer programs, see the full presentation and meeting on YouTube below.
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