Academic Activities Near Me

🎤 Impromptu Speaking & Communication Skills: Level 2 For Grades 5–8 (For Level 2, students MUST have taken our Impromptu Speech Class between 2024-2025 or be recommended by our instructors for Level 2. Please email info@highestspeak.com for eligibility questions.) 5-Session Series Level 2 is a high-energy, fast-paced, skill-building series designed for middle schoolers ready to take their speaking abilities to the next level. Students tackle longer 1–3 minute speeches, more challenging prompts, and advanced structure and performance techniques—all in a fun, supportive, and motivating environment. At Highest Speak, we teach students WHAT to say, HOW to structure it, and HOW to say anything at ANY time with confidence, clarity, and purpose. ⭐ How Each 1-Hour Class Works 1. High-Energy Ice Breaker & Warm-Up We start with engaging, fast-moving activities that help students loosen up, sharpen quick-thinking skills, and get comfortable speaking right away. Energy ON → hesitation OFF. 2. Level 2 Skill of the Day (More Depth + More Challenge) A short, focused lesson introduces a more advanced impromptu skill, such as: building longer, organized 1–3 minute responses, adding stronger openings and impactful conclusions, defending opinions with clarity, elevating vocal delivery and performance, speaking under time pressure with poise. Clear, practical, and instantly applicable in school, interviews, and daily conversations. 3. Small-Group Practice + High-Impact Speaking Rounds Students jump into pairs or small groups for structured 1–3 minute impromptu rounds using higher-level prompts, deeper thinking questions, and more sophisticated frameworks. Everyone speaks multiple times each class and receives targeted, supportive feedback to strengthen structure, confidence, and performance. All sessions are taught by our expert Highest Speak instructors, who ensure each student gets individualized guidance, encouragement, and challenge in a fun, high-energy environment. Level 2 helps middle schoolers think sharply, speak clearly, perform confidently, and communicate with depth—one bold, high-energy moment at a time!

Start summer off with a sparkle! Campers will mix, stretch, swirl, and create their own shimmering slime while experimenting with glitter, color, and texture. It’s 3 days full of sensory play, messy fun, and sparkly art-making. Messy Art Lab Camp Info 🕘 Schedule Drop-off: begins at 9:00 AM Pick-up: 2:45–3:00 PM Aftercare: available 3:00–5:00 PM Aftercare Details: Aftercare is available to be purchased on a day by day basis, please email Betty@messyartlab.com for availability. 🧺 What to Bring Please help your child come prepared for a fun (and messy!) creative day. 🚫 No nuts or nut products of any kind, please. -Two healthy snacks (morning & afternoon) -Lunch (no candy, gum, or sugary drinks) -A refillable water bottle -Comfortable, paint-friendly clothes -A jacket, sunhat, and layers for outdoor play -Sunscreen applied before camp -A full change of clothes (just in case!) 🧒 Camper Requirements To keep our camps safe, fun, and creative for everyone: -Campers must be 4 years old by the first day of camp. (We’re not able to make exceptions to this policy.) -Campers should be able to follow safety instructions and engage in activities for about 30 minutes at a time. -Campers must be fully potty-trained and able to use the bathroom independently. -Please share any medical, behavioral, or developmental information (such as allergies, neurodiversity, or trauma) during registration. This helps us prepare thoughtfully and ensure a positive, supportive experience for every child. (All information is kept confidential.) 💰 Refunds & Cancellations We know plans can change! Please review our camp refund policy below: 100% refund for cancellations made within 24 hours of registration. All enrollments include a non-refundable 20% deposit. Cancellations made 30+ days before the camp start date: refund minus the 20% deposit. Cancellations made within 30 days of the camp start date: No refund unless we can fill your spot, in which case you’ll receive camp credit minus the 20% deposit. All cancellation requests must be sent in writing via email. Transfers to another camp week may be requested (based on availability). A 20% fee applies for transfers requested within 30 days of the original camp week.

Family Fun PIZZA Night Workshop Join us for Family Fun PIZZA Night Workshop for the whole family! Work together as a family to complete 2-3 recipes and enjoy the food you've made at the end of class. Menu: Pizzas from scratch, French Fries, and Strawberry Shortcake. This class is for the entire family - for Tiny Chefs ages 3-5 / adult family member(s) will be required to be more hands-on. Additional siblings can be added at checkout.

This class may be attended by singletons who are not able to attend classes at their own level as well as siblings of various (or the same) ages. Furthermore, this class will incorporate some Spanish to help develop little brains even more! Build a solid play foundation for the whole family by engaging siblings in this multi--age class, which provides opportunities for peer leadership and sophisticated social skills. Click the link for more class details:

Let’s get your child ready to start preschool before they turn 2 years old. Seeing is believing: this is a class for children who miss the September cut-off for preschool and are ready to learn and play! We will begin the class with a caregiver and by November your child will be on their own with the support of their teacher and coach. See your child grow throughout the Parent/Caregiver and Child sessions as they joyfully explore the environment, manipulatives, learning materials, and discover the children around them. You and your child will be in a preschool classroom experiencing some of the typical daily activities, and learn from an experienced preschool teacher. This class encourages creativity, cognitive and social development, and independence in a preschool setting. There is never a better time to start working on gross and fine motor skills! We will also incorporate a “regular” day of preschool and end with a fun sports class! First month is 1 hr, then 90 min, and we move to 2 hours after winter break! Snacks are included! NO CLASS FRIDAYS 11/26-30, 12/19-1/4, 3/23-27,

Get ready for an exciting adventure in our Measurement and Data Detectives Math Workshop Session! We'll become measuring experts, using rulers, yardsticks, and measuring tapes to find out just how long things really are! We'll even see what happens when we measure the same thing with different-sized units! Then, we'll become estimation superstars, making smart guesses about lengths in inches, feet, centimeters, and meters! We'll compare objects to see how much longer one is than the other and use our adding and subtracting skills to solve length word problems. But that's not all! We'll become time-telling heroes, reading clocks to the nearest five minutes and understanding a.m. and p.m.! And get ready to become money-wise mavens, solving problems with dollars and cents. Finally, we'll become data detectives, creating cool graphs – picture graphs and bar graphs – to show what we've found! We'll even solve puzzles using the information in our graphs! Get ready for hands-on activities, measuring challenges, time-telling games, money mysteries, and data discoveries. Let's measure, graph, and explore together!

SOCIAL SKILLS GROUP Led by Paula Kelly, M.ED This play-based group supports young children in developing essential social skills for building friendships and navigating group settings. Through guided play, sensory activities, and structured routines, children learn to: - Greet peers and initiate play - Take turns, share, and follow group expectations - Recognize and talk about their own and others’ feelings - Use words to solve problems and express needs - Practice flexible thinking, cooperation, and self-control Each session is tailored to the unique needs of the group, offering a safe, inclusive space where children can build confidence, connect with others, and strengthen early relationship skills in a developmentally appropriate way. ★ This class meets once a week for 4 consecutive weeks. 👉 First-time families may try one introductory class at a discounted rate ($25)! If you and your child find it to be a good fit, you are invited to register for a 4-class consecutive package. These sessions build on each other to offer maximum benefit through consistent participation.

​This drawing class is designed for students of all levels of drawing experience, and would like to learn some advanced techniques and explore new mediums. Students will have the opportunity to explore with charcoal. colored chalk pastels, oil pastels, different graphites and more. Many projects are “built upon” each class, so that students experience a variety of mediums and take home several projects at the end of the session. During our last class, we will meet the last 10-15 minutes of class for an Art Show Presentation. Students will present their pieces in an art show to guests. Parents- Invite grandparents, friends and family. All pieces go home the last day of class. Such a fun way for students to share what they have learned through process and design.

We are thrilled to announce that Beyond the Bell is a proud recipient of the Calvert County Reinvestment and Repair Fund Grant. Thanks to this support, we are launching a new, 12-week intensive afterschool program hosted at the College of Southern Maryland (Prince Frederick Campus). We are looking for students in Grades 3–8, who would thrive in a high-engagement environment focused on Social Emotional Arts and Athletics Lessons (S.E.A.A.L). This is a perfect fit for students who need: Intensive Mentorship: Small group settings designed to build deep, supportive connections with dedicated mentors. Creative & Physical Expression: A unique curriculum that blends visual arts, digital storytelling, and athletics to keep students engaged. Confidence & Resilience: Using both the arts and sports as a bridge to help students find their voice and build community. Program Details: When: Tuesdays & Thursdays (Starting March 3rd) Duration: 12 Weeks Where: CSM Prince Frederick Campus Who: Students in Grades 3–8

Budding artists capturing multiple objects tend to begin with the largest or most attractive one first, finish it, and move on to the next. By studying multiple object composition, line and air perspective, as well as color mixing, students learn to depict multiple three-dimensional objects and build a solid foundation for future artistic study. Our academic method of teaching will open the eyes and minds of aspiring artists to see the myriad of colors and tones in everyday objects. With these foundational skills, students will learn techniques to express their creativity. Classes alternate between Drawing and Painting on a weekly basis. All skill levels welcome. Students will learn to draw and paint multiple objects as a group taking into account proportions, depth, structures, along with light and shadows. Using acrylic or oil, students will flex these core principles of composition to attain the freedom to draw and paint three-dimensional still-life, landscapes and fictional paintings. Procuring painting and drawing materials are the responsibility of each student, but we are of course happy to advise which ones we think are best.

Join the Dream Squad for a week of unicorn-inspired art and imagination! Campers will create magical creatures, build dreamscapes, and design sparkling sculptures full of color and creativity. It’s a joyful week for anyone who believes in magic. Messy Art Lab Summer Camp Info 🌈 Art Show Each week ends with a special Art Show, where campers proudly share their amazing creations with family and friends! It’s a joyful celebration of their creativity and the wonderful work they’ve done all week. 🕘 Schedule Drop-off: begins at 9:00 AM Pick-up: 2:45–3:00 PM Aftercare: available 3:00–5:00 PM Aftercare Details: Aftercare can be purchased as a weekly package. We do not offer aftercare on Fridays. If you’d like to book individual aftercare days, please email Betty@messyartlab.com for availability. 🧺 What to Bring Please help your child come prepared for a fun (and messy!) creative day. 🚫 No nuts or nut products of any kind, please. -Two healthy snacks (morning & afternoon) -Lunch (no candy, gum, or sugary drinks) -A refillable water bottle -Comfortable, paint-friendly clothes -A jacket, sunhat, and layers for outdoor play -Sunscreen applied before camp -A full change of clothes (just in case!) 🧒 Camper Requirements To keep our camps safe, fun, and creative for everyone: -Campers must be 4 years and 6 months old by the first day of camp. (We’re not able to make exceptions to this policy.) -Campers should be able to follow safety instructions and engage in activities for about 30 minutes at a time. -Campers must be fully potty-trained and able to use the bathroom independently. -Please share any medical, behavioral, or developmental information (such as allergies, neurodiversity, or trauma) during registration. This helps us prepare thoughtfully and ensure a positive, supportive experience for every child. (All information is kept confidential.) 💰 Refunds & Cancellations We know plans can change! Please review our camp refund policy below: 100% refund for cancellations made within 24 hours of registration. All enrollments include a non-refundable 20% deposit. Cancellations made 30+ days before the camp start date: refund minus the 20% deposit. Cancellations made within 30 days of the camp start date: No refund unless we can fill your spot, in which case you’ll receive camp credit minus the 20% deposit. All cancellation requests must be sent in writing via email. Transfers to another camp week may be requested (based on availability). A 20% fee applies for transfers requested within 30 days of the original camp week.

Start summer off with a sparkle! Campers will mix, stretch, swirl, and create their own shimmering slime while experimenting with glitter, color, and texture. It’s a week full of sensory play, messy fun, and sparkly art-making — the perfect kick-off to a creative summer. Messy Art Lab Summer Camp Info 🌈 Art Show Each week ends with a special Art Show, where campers proudly share their amazing creations with family and friends! It’s a joyful celebration of their creativity and the wonderful work they’ve done all week. 🕘 Schedule Drop-off: begins at 9:00 AM Pick-up: 2:45–3:00 PM Aftercare: available 3:00–5:00 PM Aftercare Details: Aftercare can be purchased as a weekly package. We do not offer aftercare on Fridays. If you’d like to book individual aftercare days, please email Betty@messyartlab.com for availability. 🧺 What to Bring Please help your child come prepared for a fun (and messy!) creative day. 🚫 No nuts or nut products of any kind, please. -Two healthy snacks (morning & afternoon) -Lunch (no candy, gum, or sugary drinks) -A refillable water bottle -Comfortable, paint-friendly clothes -A jacket, sunhat, and layers for outdoor play -Sunscreen applied before camp -A full change of clothes (just in case!) 🧒 Camper Requirements To keep our camps safe, fun, and creative for everyone: -Campers must be 4 years and 6 months old by the first day of camp. (We’re not able to make exceptions to this policy.) -Campers should be able to follow safety instructions and engage in activities for about 30 minutes at a time. -Campers must be fully potty-trained and able to use the bathroom independently. -Please share any medical, behavioral, or developmental information (such as allergies, neurodiversity, or trauma) during registration. This helps us prepare thoughtfully and ensure a positive, supportive experience for every child. (All information is kept confidential.) 💰 Refunds & Cancellations We know plans can change! Please review our camp refund policy below: 100% refund for cancellations made within 24 hours of registration. All enrollments include a non-refundable 20% deposit. Cancellations made 30+ days before the camp start date: refund minus the 20% deposit. Cancellations made within 30 days of the camp start date: No refund unless we can fill your spot, in which case you’ll receive camp credit minus the 20% deposit. All cancellation requests must be sent in writing via email. Transfers to another camp week may be requested (based on availability). A 20% fee applies for transfers requested within 30 days of the original camp week.

We are excited to spend the week being creative, building community and making friendships. Drop Off is from 9am-9:30 and pick up is between 3:30-4:00pm. During our days together at Hilltop Creative Summer Camp we will start our mornings off with free exploration, morning greetings, snack and an indoor creative activity. Nature is a huge focus of Hilltop Creative. We will have outdoor time on neighborhood hikes and also will visit our local playgrounds and recreational areas Bernal Heights, Holly Park and St Mary's. Towards the end of the day we will gather indoors and will have an afternoon snack provided by Hilltop Creative.

Every year we love to read the books our campers create - Remember this camp sells out fast so don't delay. We print 1 copy for you child to enjoy and share with you - but additional copies are available for $20 each. The topic is completely up to your child and we assist with writing, spelling and any help they may need. We appreciate your patience with this camp as editing, and formatting does take some time. Please give us 3 weeks to turn the books around.

Duration: 5 Weeks | 1 Hour Per Class Get ready for a high-energy, fun-packed experience where your child will discover the power of persuasion in the most exciting way! Persuasive speaking is a life-changing skill that helps kids express their ideas with confidence, influence others, and make their voices heard. Through lively games, engaging lessons, and creative challenges, your child will master the art of persuasion while having an absolute blast! LEARN • Explore the elements of persuasive speech and writing through interactive lessons and fun, real-world class discussions. • Be introduced to simple debate techniques in a playful and approachable way that boosts confidence. • Learn how to quickly structure both impromptu and prepared persuasive speeches in dynamic, fast-paced activities. • Discover techniques to captivate an audience with humor, creativity, and confidence. • Learn how to persuade different audiences with the right content while keeping things fun and engaging. • Learn how to better manage public speaking anxiety and nervousness, building confidence to speak up and present with ease. • Build a solid understanding of structure, tone, and delivery for persuasive presentations in a lively, supportive environment. DO • Work on both impromptu and prepared pitches, presentations, and speeches with high-energy practice activities. • Create imaginative and hilarious pitches with teammates for collaborative, laughter-filled challenges. • Participate in energetic demonstrations, role-playing, and interactive games that make learning unforgettable. • Receive individualized feedback, regardless of your child’s starting skill level, to ensure they improve in every session. IMPROVE • Sharpen public speaking and persuasion skills through instant feedback and hands-on practice. • Use the feedback instantly to ensure that the student captures it and applies it right away. • Benefit from personalized coaching that challenges and supports every student from their baseline. • Develop confidence, creativity, and clarity in expressing ideas, whether at school or in everyday life. Also, for classes with more than 10 students, two enthusiastic instructors will lead the sessions to guarantee every child gets the attention and feedback they deserve. Oh, and did we mention? Our instructors are professional educators AND performers who bring tons of energy and humor to every class. Your child will laugh, learn, and leave feeling excited for the next session! Please note: Occasional assignments will be given to maximize the class benefits.

For classes with more than 10 students, two expert, high-energy instructors lead the session to ensure every student receives ample one-on-one feedback and speaking time. Our instructors are professional educators and performers who bring energy, humor, and warmth to every class. Students leave each session laughing, learning, and excited for the next challenge. Please note: Occasional at-home assignments may be given to reinforce skills and maximize progress.

🎤 Persuasive Speaking: Level 1 Duration: 5 Weeks | 1 Hour Per Class Get ready for a high-energy, fun-packed experience where your child will discover the power of persuasion in the most exciting way! Persuasive speaking is a life-changing skill that helps kids express their ideas with confidence, influence others, and make their voices heard. Through lively games, engaging lessons, and creative challenges, students learn how to persuade clearly and confidently—while having an absolute blast! ⭐ LEARN • Explore the elements of persuasive speech and writing through interactive lessons and real-world, kid-friendly class discussions. • Be introduced to simple debate techniques in a playful, low-pressure way that builds confidence. • Learn how to quickly structure both impromptu and prepared persuasive speeches using fun, fast-paced activities. • Discover how to captivate an audience with humor, creativity, and confident delivery. • Understand how to persuade different audiences using the right content and tone. • Learn strategies to manage public speaking anxiety and speak up with ease. • Build a strong foundation in structure, tone, and delivery—within a lively, supportive environment. ⭐ DO • Practice both impromptu and prepared pitches, presentations, and persuasive speeches in high-energy speaking rounds. • Create imaginative, funny, and creative pitches with teammates during collaborative challenges. • Participate in demonstrations, role-playing, and interactive games that make learning unforgettable. • Receive individualized, supportive feedback to help every child grow—no matter their starting point. ⭐ IMPROVE • Strengthen public speaking and persuasion skills through instant feedback and hands-on practice. • Apply feedback immediately during the same session to reinforce learning and growth. • Benefit from personalized coaching that meets each student exactly where they are. • Build confidence, creativity, clarity, and expressive skills that carry over into school and everyday life. ⭐ INSTRUCTOR EXPERIENCE For classes with more than 10 students, two enthusiastic instructors lead the sessions to ensure every child gets the attention and feedback they deserve. Our instructors are professional educators and performers who bring tons of energy, humor, and warmth to every class. Students leave each session laughing, learning, and eagerly looking forward to the next one! Please note: Occasional at-home assignments may be given to maximize the class benefits.

🎤 Sky Divers: Intro to Debate (Grades 5–8) Beginner Level • No Prior Debate Experience Required Curious about debate but not sure where to start? This beginner-level course is designed specifically for middle school students who want to learn the foundations of debate in a fun, supportive, and confidence-building environment. This class is not intended for experienced debaters. Over 6 high-energy weeks, students will explore what debate is, how to build clear and logical arguments, and how to deliver their ideas confidently—all through interactive games, small-group practice, and instructor-guided coaching. Students will learn how to: Structure simple but powerful arguments Support their points with strong reasons and examples Listen actively and respond thoughtfully Practice both written arguments and impromptu (on-the-spot) arguments This is the perfect introduction for students who may be interested in joining debate in middle school or high school, or for those who simply want to think more critically, speak more confidently, and strengthen their communication skills. Every class is designed to be engaging, approachable, and fun—while still building real skills that students can use in class discussions, presentations, interviews, and beyond.

🔵 Week 3: Communicate & Collaborate Capstone Team Communication • Collaboration • Presentation 📅 August 10–14, 2026 ** MUST be Rising Grades 5-8 to Participate! NO exceptions! Our Final Camp Week focuses on communication and collaboration as part of a team or partnership ! These are key elements of FCPS’s and LCPS’s Portrait of a Graduate! Students work daily in rotating teams on creative speaking challenges using multiple public speaking formats, including: Persuasive speaking & pitching Storytelling Informative speaking Students learn how to: Collaborate effectively so every student contributes Develop and enhance social skills Communicate with new peers and find common ground Lead, listen, and build on others’ ideas Master team presentation dynamics, including smooth transitions and unified delivery 🎉 End-of-Week Team Showcase Teams present a final collaborative presentation! 🎥 Parents receive a video of their child’s final team presentation. 🎯 Why Parents Choose This Bundle Daily speaking practice …no sitting on the sidelines! Combines writing, impromptu speaking, and teamwork! Builds confidence for middle school presentations and group projects Explicit focus on communication, collaboration, and leadership ONLY taught by Professionals! Aligned with FCPS Portrait of a Graduate skills! Professional showcases + take-home performance video! ✨ A powerful summer experience that builds skills students will use all year and MUCH beyond!

This program is designed to provide enjoyable activities that help students ease into their day and prepare for school. At the end of Before Care, younger children will be escorted directly to their classrooms, while older children will walk to their classes independently. Please note, we do not provide breakfast. You are welcome to send a snack or breakfast with your child if needed. *All children must be registered prior to attending.* and must have submitted all required documents to the Director of Before Care. Our Before Care program is licensed under the Office of Children and Family Services, and we must maintain the regulations set by the state.

This program is designed to provide enjoyable activities that help students ease into their day and prepare for school. At the end of Before Care, younger children will be escorted directly to their classrooms, while older children will walk to their classes independently. Please note, we do not provide breakfast. You are welcome to send a snack or breakfast with your child if needed. *All children must be registered prior to attending.* and must have submitted all required documents to the Director of Before Care. Our Before Care program is licensed under the Office of Children and Family Services, and we must maintain the regulations set by the state.