Why should I send my child to a culture camp?

WMACS Summer Camp is more than just a culture camp. Yes, we hope that our campers learn something more about Chinese heritage and culture before the week is over, but we also seek to provide a safe space in which campers form meaningful, long-lasting relationships with other children of a similar ethnic background. We want our campers to feel comfortable within their own skins as Chinese/Taiwanese-Americans and/or individuals with an interest in Chinese culture. We could say more, but we’ll let our campers and counselors use their own words to share the impact WMACS has had in their lives.

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What is a typical day like?

A typical day at WMACS will consist of 5 or 6 cultural classes held from 8am to 2pm. Afternoons from 3pm-5pm will be spent engaging in activities and games, sometimes held outdoors if the weather permits. These games typically include water games, an energetic camp-wide game called The Amazingly Awesome Amazing Race, and other group bonding activities. Following dinner (usually between 7-9pm) will be another activity, usually held in the main gymnasium or other similar areas. These usually include camper-favorites such as game show night and night market. An evening snack is provided by staff around 9:30 or 10pm, typically consisting of watermelon, pizza, fried rice, etc.), followed by lights out at 10:30pm. As you can see from our jam-packed schedules, usually campers and counselors alike are happily exhausted by this time!

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Who can attend?

Campers range in age from 8 to 18 years old. Campers typically reside in the DMV area, but we have had campers travel from as far as California, Mainland China and, of course, Taiwan. Campers are predominantly of Chinese descent, however, we have had campers of other ethnic backgrounds attend as well.

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When you say camp, do you mean out in the woods? 

No. We tried it in 1996… it didn’t go so well. Since 1997, WMACS summer camp has been at Frostburg State University in Frostburg, Maryland. For this year, WMACS 2024 will be held at Notre Dame of Maryland University in Baltimore, Maryland.  Previous sites have included American University (1989), Towson State University (1990), Salisbury State University (1991-1995) and Camp Hemlock in Virginia (1996).

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I’m hooked. When is camp and how do I register?

This year, camp will be held from July 20 to July 27, running for eight days and seven nights. This year, we will be asking parents/guardians to join us at Notre Dame of Maryland University for drop-off (7/20) and the end of camp performance (7/27). Please check our registration page for registration information.