March Madness: Planning Your Child’s Spring and Summer

Written By Cherice Taylor

The transition from "March Madness" to summer break happens in a flash. Now is the ideal time to secure engaging opportunities for your children. Whether you are looking for local spring break activities or full-summer enrichment, here are the top local resources for families in Fredericksburg, Stafford, and Spotsylvania.

“The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.” — Eleanor Roosevelt

Local Activity Hubs

For a comprehensive list of weekly events, festivals, and classes, these community staples are updated regularly:

  • Fredericksburg Parent & Family: A go-to for local family-friendly event calendars.

  • Macaroni KID Fredericksburg-Spotsylvania-Stafford: Excellent for hyper-local activity guides and "boredom busters."

  • Stafford County Parks and Recreation: Offers affordable seasonal sports, "Camp Aquia," and various all-day summer camps.

  • Local School Divisions: Don't forget to check your specific school’s portal for on-site enrichment and credit-recovery programs.

  • Jeff Rouse Swim and Sport Center: Spring Break and Summer Camps plus a lot more for all ages.

University Enrichment

Area colleges offer high-level camps that give students a taste of campus life:

  • University of Mary Washington (UMW):

  • Summer Enrichment Program (SEP): A residential program for rising 10th–12th graders (July 12–18, 2026) covering topics from theatrical design to environmental engineering.

  • Sports Camps: Includes the Nike Volleyball Camp, Eagles Youth Baseball, and tennis clinics.

  • George Mason University (GMU): Known for its "Mason Space Exploration Center" (MSEC) camps and diverse programs in acting, filmmaking, and music production.

  • Camps and Youth Programs – George Mason University

Military Family Resources

Families stationed at MCAS Quantico can access MCCS Youth Sports.

  • Eligibility: Open to dependents of active duty, reservists, retirees, and DOD civilians (ages 4–14).

  • Programs: Spring baseball and tee-ball registration typically opens in mid-February, followed by summer camp registration in mid-May.

Strategy for Success

When choosing a program, consider these three "Ps":

  1. Pacing: Check the start and end dates against your school’s 2026–27 calendar to avoid overlaps.

  2. Purpose: For older students, look beyond traditional camps. Consider volunteering or job shadowing to build a resume or explore career interests.

Preparation: Many popular camps at UMW and GMU sell out by early spring. Review costs and registration deadlines now to ensure your spot.

Cherice Taylor

Cherice Taylor, M.A. Education Administration, is a Part-Time Career Advisor for Germanna Community College. She is the 2022-2023 Past President of the Rotary Club of Stafford and a Charter Member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. Psi Psi Omega Chapter. She is a relationship builder, poet and a former educator with over 10 years experience at the preschool through high school levels. Cherice earned her Bachelor's degree from UCLA and her Masters in Education Administration from California State University- Dominguez Hills. She is married to LCDR Eric Taylor (retired) and a mother of four sons. A positive attitude and the belief that sharing pearls of wisdom along with the Golden Rule allows for everyone to improve and reach their personal goals. This is demonstrated in the podcast show that she hosts, Time Matters Podcast! Cherice believes that if we all do better, then we all do better, and that is why Cherice is involved in the community.

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