2026 Coding Camp for Kids (Grades 1-8)
Unleash Your Child’s Coding Potential This Summer!
Join Panda Programmer’s Summer Camp 2026 for an engaging blend of coding, fun, and exploration. Located in Gaithersburg, Silver Spring, Bethesda, and Washington DC, our camps offer a unique opportunity for children in grades 1-8 (typically ages 5-13) to dive into the world of computer science. Panda programmer is the best summer camp for kids in the Montgomery County, MD / Washington DC area!
What Makes Panda Programmer the Best Kids Coding Camp?
Hands-On Learning
Our curriculum is designed to make coding fun and accessible for all skill levels.
Expert Instructors
Our experienced staff guide students through every step, ensuring a supportive learning environment.
Balanced Activities
Beyond coding, kids will enjoy outdoor activities, games, chess, origami, and ukulele!
Why Panda Programmer Camps Stand Out
Panda Programmer is widely recognized as the leading local coding program for grades 1–8 in Montgomery County. Our summer camps combine small class sizes, project-based learning, and experienced instructors to create one of the most trusted coding camp experiences for kids.
Kids Coding Summer Camps Near You
Panda Programmer offers in-person kids coding summer camps in Gaithersburg, Silver Spring, Bethesda, Washington, DC, and Montgomery Village. Families can choose weekly full-day or half-day camps, and students can attend the weeks that fit their summer schedule.
Our camps are designed for students in grades 1–8, including beginners and returning Panda Programmer students. Campers build real projects in Scratch, robotics, Python, and web development while learning in small groups with personal attention from our instructors.
Panda Programmer is a great coding camp for beginners. No prior coding experience is required, and students are grouped by age, experience, and skill level whenever possible. Returning students can continue from previous Panda Programmer camps, weekend classes, or after-school classes instead of repeating the same beginner material.
– Beginner-friendly: No prior coding experience is required.
– Good for returning students: Campers can continue from earlier Panda Programmer classes or camps.
– Small-group instruction: Students receive personal attention and work at an appropriate level.
Unlike a one-week-only tech camp, Panda Programmer gives students a year-round learning path. Kids can continue their progress from after-school classes into summer camp, and then keep building skills in weekend or after-school classes after summer ends.
Why Our Summer Camps for Kids are the Perfect Choice for Grades 1-8
Finding the right summer camps for kids can be a challenge, especially when looking for programs that balance high-level learning with age-appropriate fun. At Panda Programmer, we specialize in providing a premier coding camp experience specifically tailored for students in elementary school and middle school. While many tech programs group young children with teens, we prioritize a dedicated environment for Grades 1 through 8.
Our curriculum is designed to spark curiosity. We believe that a great summer day camp should feel like an adventure, not a classroom. Younger students (Grades 1-2) begin their journey with ScratchJr, where they learn foundational logic through visual play. As they progress into Grades 3-8, they transition into our video game camp modules, using the full version of Scratch to design, animate, and “code” their very own interactive worlds.
For 2026, we are also excited to introduce STEM programs for kids that include an introduction to Robotics. This module helps children understand the technology of the future in a way that is hands-on and social. Our instructors are background-checked experts who focus on small group sizes, ensuring your child receives the personalized attention they need to build confidence.
With convenient locations across Maryland and Washington DC—including our popular Bethesda, Silver Spring, and Gaithersburg hubs—Panda Programmer makes it easy for local families to find a high-quality summer camp near me. Join us this year and watch your child move from being a consumer of technology to a creator of it!
Summer Camp Details:
Duration: 5 days (Monday – Friday)
Format: Full Day and Half Day options
(Aftercare is also available for 2 hours after camp at an additional cost)
Age Group: Rising 1st through 8th graders
Multiple Locations in Maryland and DC Available.
Parent Reviews
Our Age Tailored Programs are Fun for All Ages!
At Panda Programmer’s Summer Camp, we believe that learning should be both fun and challenging, no matter your child’s age. Our curriculum is carefully tailored to meet the developmental needs of each age group, ensuring that every camper enjoys a balanced mix of excitement and education. When searching for the best summer camps for kids in Maryland and DC, parents prioritize safety, engagement, and education—three things Panda Programmer delivers for every Grade 1-8 student.
For a more detailed description of all curricula, please visit our Curriculum page!
Beginner
Scratch JR
Young children will be introduced to the world of coding through playful, interactive lessons. Using tools like Scratch JR, they’ll create their own animations and simple games, all while developing foundational programming skills.
Each task is designed to be age-appropriate, encouraging creativity and logical thinking without overwhelming them.
Kids will gain confidence in their abilities, learn to solve problems, and experience the joy of bringing their ideas to life through code.
Intermediate
Scratch
This group will dive deeper into coding with Scratch, building more complex projects that require higher levels of critical thinking and problem-solving.
As they progress, students will encounter new programming concepts like control structures and variables, which will push their skills further.
They’ll enhance their analytical abilities, learn to collaborate on projects, and develop a deeper understanding of how coding works.
Advanced
Advanced Scratch and Robotics
Older campers will tackle advanced topics in Scratch, robotics, and even Python.
These activities are designed to be intellectually stimulating, introducing them to advanced coding techniques and real-world applications.
Students will strengthen their logical reasoning, improve their coding proficiency, and prepare for high school-level computer science courses.
An introduction to the logic used in Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning
Secure Your Child’s Spot: Limited slots available – don’t miss out!
Camp Locations and Dates
We are looking forward to holding camp at four different locations — Gaithersburg, Silver Spring, Bethesda, and Washington DC. Ours is one of the best summer camps in the Maryland/DC area.
Gaithersburg: 200 West Diamond Avenue – Visit our Gaithersburg Camp Page!
Silver Spring: 818 University Boulevard West – Visit our Silver Spring Camp Page!
Bethesda: 9601 Cedar Lane – Visit our Bethesda Camp Page!
Washington DC: 1 Chevy Chase Circle, NW – Visit our Washington DC Camp Page!
All dates below are for Summer 2026 (Monday–Friday)
| Week Number | Start Date (2026) | End Date (2026) | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 6/22 | 6/26 | |
| 2 | 6/29 | 7/3 | We’ll be open on July 3rd! |
| 3 | 7/6 | 7/10 | |
| 4 | 7/13 | 7/17 | |
| 5 | 7/20 | 7/24 | |
| 6 | 7/27 | 7/31 | |
| 7 | 8/3 | 8/7 | |
| 8 | 8/10 | 8/14 | |
| 9 | 8/17 | 8/21 | Last full week of MCPS summer vacation |
Panda Programmer Summer Camp Locations
Camp Pricing and Discounts
Check your preferred location page for specific pricing information!
Multi-Week Discount: 10% off for the 2nd week, 3rd week, etc.
Sibling Discount: 10% off for the 2nd sibling, 3rd sibling, etc.
After-Care: Extend your camp day through 6 pm! For $100 per week, take advantage of our After-Care service and pick your child 2 hours later.
Why we are the preferred summer camps for kids in Maryland and DC
Grade 1-8 Focus: While many programs focus on older teens, our summer camps for kids are specifically tailored for Grades 1 through 8, focusing on visual logic and creative play.
A Video Game Camp Where Gamers Become Creators
Students in Grades 1-8 use Scratch to build the games of their dreams. We are a video game camp that helps the campers create their own video games. It’s a video game camp with a purpose!
Questions? Feel free to e-mail us at info@PandaProgrammer.com or call us at 443-26-PANDA.
To register and sign up for our classes or camps Click Here