'Camp Discovery' to Return to Odenton this Summer

An Odenton educator is bringing back a popular summer camp, this time with an environmental theme. 

Jonathan Schachter is taking registrations now for his weeklong Camp Discovery, which will run from July 29 to August 2 at Nichols-Bethel United Methodist Church. 

The camp is a values-based program featuring a series of guest speakers, arts and crafts and other lessons. This year’s camp will center on issues relating to the environment, ecology and conservation.

For Schachter, holding the camp is a natural fit, as he works with students at Anne Arundel County Public Schools and coaches youth soccer, lacrosse and other sports. 

“I’ve been working with kids as long as I can remember,” said Schachter, a Piney Orchard resident with two children of his own. “I feel like this allows me to use my creativity and my skills to make a positive impact on the community.”

The camp costs $200 and runs from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Schacter is working to finalize a roster of guest speakers, but he hopes to have two each day. He expects to use local high school and college students as camp counselors. 

About 20 kids ranging from kindergartners to 5th-graders came to the first edition of the camp this year. Schachter expects a similar amount this summer, but has no plans to cap enrollments. 

Nichols-Bethel is allowing Schachter to use multipurpose space for free, though he hopes to earn enough from the camp to make a donation to the church.

Schachter holds a masters’ degree in teaching and is employed by county schools as a pupil personnel worker, addressing issues like truancy and student homelessness.

Schachter hadn’t always considered a career in education. Originally, he exited college seeking a job in the world of sports television. He answered an advertisement for a school in need of an aide, and found himself offering support and instruction to children with severe cases of autism. It turned into one of the hardest but most rewarding jobs he ever had. 

“It was exhausting, but it was so rewarding working with those families,” he said. 

For more information about Camp Discovery and to register, go to campdiscovery.webstarts.com.