The Christ Child Society’s founder, Mary Virginia Merrick, believed that a “fresh air” experience was critical for urban children.
In 1881, she began by sending children to private farms for a period each summer. In 1954, the Christ Child Society purchased 88 acres on the Patient River in Southern Maryland. This property became the Christ Child residential summer camp. For over 40 years several generations of children attended our Christ Child camp.
Since 1998, the Society has provided camp scholarships for at risk children who otherwise might not have a recreational experience. These “camperships” allow children to attend a variety of camps in the Washington area, providing inner city children safe and affordable summer camp experiences.
This year the Camp Scholarship Program will accept applications from children attending the following schools:
Sacred Heart, St. Anthony, St. Augustine, St Francis Xavier, St. Mary, St. Michael the Archangel, St. Thomas More,Washington Middle School for
Girls. In addition, children from the Center City Public Charter Schools are eligible to apply.
Please note that the Camp Program is closed for the year!
If your child does not attend any of these schools, you may want to check out the follow sites for camp scholarships:
DC Parks and Recreation
YMCA of DC
Boys and Girls Club of DC
City Gate
Camp Bennett