Homeschool benefits and savings in Calvert County
Calvert County's Natural Resources Division and the Calvert Nature Society run Homeschool Fridays, two-hour hands-on nature programs for homeschoolers ages 4 to 12 that are free for society members or $8 per nonmember family. Teens ages 12 to 16 can join the Teen Homeschool Series, with fall 2026 sessions on November 4 and December 2. Other options include scholarships and grants.
Benefits in Calvert County
- Calvert County Homeschool Fridays and Teen Homeschool Chesapeake Bay
- Calvert County Therman Gray homeschool education award
- Calvert County Therman Gray recreation fee assistance
Calvert County Homeschool Fridays and Teen Homeschool Chesapeake Bay
Who qualifies
Homeschooler of the right age
Homeschool Fridays are for homeschoolers ages 4 to 12, and the Teen Homeschool Series is for ages 12 to 16. Children must be the age listed for each program.
Registers in advance
Reservations are required through calvertparks.org, and programs open for registration on staggered dates.
A parent attends for younger children
Parents of younger children stay with the group; parents of older children may stay as mentors. Teens attend without a parent.
What programs cost
Fees come from Calvert County Parks and Recreation's Summer 2026 activity guide and the Calvert Nature Society's current program listings.
- Homeschool Friday, member family
- Free
- Homeschool Friday, nonmember family
- $8
- Teen Homeschool Series session, member
- Free
- Teen Homeschool Series session, nonmember
- $8 per teen
- Calvert Nature Society family membership
- $30
The Summer 2026 guide listed its four-part Teen Homeschool Chesapeake Bay series at $10 per member teen or $20 per nonmember teen, so check the fee on each listing when you register.
How to sign up
- Before you register
Decide on membership
A Calvert Nature Society family membership costs $30, covers everyone in your household, makes member programs free, and gives you early registration.
- When registration opens
Reserve a spot
Register online at calvertparks.org. Online registration gets priority, and Visa, Mastercard, and Discover are accepted online only.
- November 4 and December 2, 2026
Teen sessions
Aquatic Explorations Session 3 meets at Kings Landing Park on November 4, and Animal Clues Session 1 meets at Flag Ponds Nature Park on December 2, both 9:00 a.m. to noon.
- Each program day
Learn outdoors
Each program mixes indoor and outdoor hands-on learning, with students grouped by age.
What it includes
Included
- Hands-on science and nature lessons
- Help with projects and research
- Time to meet other homeschooling families
Not included
- Refunds on program fees under $10
- Refunds on membership dues
Who to contact about the programs
The Natural Resources Division and the Calvert Nature Society take registrations and answer questions about homeschool programs.
CypressSwamp@calvertcountymd.gov 410-535-5327 Homeschool programs
Calvert County Therman Gray homeschool education award
Who qualifies
Lives in Calvert County
Include proof of residency, any legal document showing your student's name and address.
Is a graduating senior
Seniors graduating from a public, private, or homeschool high school qualify; homeschoolers send a homeschool review in place of a report card.
Has a 3.0 GPA
Your student needs a GPA of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale.
Studies an eligible field
Eligible undergraduate fields include parks and recreation, natural resources, outdoor recreation management, sport administration, therapeutic recreation, turfgrass management, and related disciplines.
What it is worth
Calvert County Parks and Recreation awards $1,000 to one graduating senior in each of its three districts every year.
- Northern District winner
- $1,000
- Central District winner
- $1,000
- Southern District winner
- $1,000
- Total awarded each year
- $3,000
- Awards per person
- One
A committee scores applications with a point system, so the award is competitive even when only a few seniors apply.
From applying to keeping it
- Senior year
Gather documents
Collect proof of residency, the latest report card or homeschool review, an acceptance letter, and a personal and an educational or professional recommendation.
- Senior year
Record a two-minute video
Explain why your student is pursuing a career in parks and recreation and how the money will be used, as an mp3 file or link.
- April 1 to June 30
Email the application
Send the application and attachments to parksandrecreation@calvertcountymd.gov.
- Early July
Winners announced
Winners are announced in early July and awards are paid by July 30.
What it pays for
Covered
- Undergraduate study in an eligible field
- College, university, or trade school enrollment
Not covered
- Fields outside parks, recreation, and related areas
- A second award to the same person
Who to contact
Parks and Recreation receives Education Award applications and answers questions about eligibility.
parksandrecreation@calvertcountymd.gov 410-535-1600 Therman Gray Scholarship Fund
Calvert County Therman Gray recreation fee assistance
Who qualifies
Lives in Calvert County
The program is for patrons residing in Calvert County, Maryland.
Shows benefit eligibility
Attach proof of SSI, SNAP, TANF, WIC, or free or reduced-price lunch, or explain another situation on the form. Proof needs only your name and eligibility dates.
Picks an eligible activity
Assistance applies to Parks and Recreation camps, classes, sports, and clinics listed in the seasonal activity guide.
No double assistance
You cannot get assistance for the same activity from two different agencies or third parties.
What it is worth
The county pays up to 75% of an activity's cost, capped at $200.
- $40 class
- $30
- $100 class
- $75
- $200 camp
- $150
- $300 camp
- $200
- $500 camp
- $200
Due to demand, award amounts can change, and you must put down a deposit when you apply: 10% of a class fee or $25 for a camp.
From applying to keeping it
- Before the season
Choose an activity
Find the camp, class, sport, or clinic and its activity number in the seasonal Parks and Recreation guide.
- 2 weeks before the season
Apply with a deposit
Email the application and proof to parksandrecreation@calvertcountymd.gov or mail it to Calvert County Parks and Recreation, 175 Main St., Prince Frederick, MD 20678, with the deposit.
- 3-5 business days later
Hear back
If you do not qualify and cannot pay the balance, your deposit is returned in full.
- Within 10 business days
Pay the balance
Once you are awarded the scholarship, pay the remaining balance within 10 business days.
- Each season
Apply again
You can apply quarterly, for the fall, winter, spring, and summer seasons.
What it pays for
Covered
- Parks and Recreation camps
- Classes
- Sports
- Clinics
Not covered
- Daily park, beach, and pool admission
- Facility, pavilion, and campsite rentals
- Equipment rentals
- Golf green, cart, and driving range fees
- Non-county sport affiliations
An approved scholarship you do not use costs you the deposit.
Because of demand for assistance, the county says scholarship amounts are subject to change.
Who to contact
Parks and Recreation reviews Therman Gray fee assistance applications; call extension 2649 with questions.
parksandrecreation@calvertcountymd.gov 410-535-1600 Therman Gray Scholarship Fund
Homeschool rules and statewide help in Maryland
You must submit the prescribed consent form to the local superintendent at least 15 days before starting. District-supervised families verify continuation before each school year and report status changes. A qualifying nonpublic supervisor reports continuing enrollment and status changes to the district.
Maryland sets these rules:
- Subjects: Provide regular, thorough instruction of sufficient duration in English, math, science, social studies, art, music, health, and PE. A qualifying nonpublic-supervised program must provide regular, thorough instruction in the usual public-school studies.
- Testing: State standardized testing is voluntary. District-supervised programs have portfolio reviews at semester ends, with no more than three reviews per school year.
- Records: For district supervision, keep instructional materials and work samples demonstrating required instruction; college report cards or transcripts may substitute for those courses. Qualifying nonpublic supervision follows COMAR’s separate requirements.
- Teachers: No state teaching credential required for the parent providing home instruction.
Read the Maryland homeschooling guide See statewide programs in Maryland
Questions parents ask
- Who can attend Calvert's Homeschool Fridays?
- The series is built for homeschoolers ages 4 to 12. Siblings younger than 4 are welcome if a parent cares for them the whole time.
- Is Calvert Nature Society membership worth it for Homeschool Fridays?
- It depends on how often you go. A $30 family membership makes member programs free for your household, while nonmembers pay $8 per family for each Homeschool Friday, so four programs cost more than a membership.
- Can a homeschool senior apply for the Therman Gray Education Award?
- Yes. The award lists graduating seniors from public, private, or homeschool high schools, and the checklist accepts a homeschool review instead of a report card.
- Which majors count for the Therman Gray Education Award?
- Eligible majors include community sports management, golf course operations, grounds management, natural resources, outdoor recreation management, parks and recreation, park and resource management, sport administration, sports and tourism, sports communication, therapeutic recreation, turfgrass management, and related fields.
- My homeschooled child has no school lunch letter. Can we apply for Therman Gray fee assistance?
- Yes. Free or reduced-price lunch is only one option; you can also show SSI, SNAP, TANF, or WIC, or explain your situation under Other on the application.
- Can we use Therman Gray fee assistance for county homeschool programs?
- Yes, if the program is a Parks and Recreation camp, class, sport, or clinic, which includes homeschool offerings in the activity guide.
Turn support into your child’s next lesson
Camps and local activities give your child new interests to explore. Their discoveries can shape the examples and questions they study at home.
$149/month per child after the trial.
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