I have an 8 year old girl.  We live in Washington, DC.  She loves to
invent devices and build things.  Are there summer camps or programs
at schools or the smithsonian or other places where she can persue her
love of invention.

Hello r2:

Thanks for the great question. 

I did quite a bit of research for you on this and the following
program/camp was the only one I could definitively find in your area
for 8 year-old inventors.


Camp Invention - National Inventors Hall of Fame
URL: http://www.invent.org/camp_invention/2_1_0_camp.asp
Description: "Camp Invention™ is a one-week day camp for children
entering grades 2-6. This unique and exciting program is hosted by
schools throughout the country each summer. Camp Invention provides
every child with the opportunity to think the unthinkable, create new
possibilities and discover innovative solutions through hands-on
learning. This exciting program invites children to let their
imaginations run wild through encouraged team work, creative problem
solving and inventive thinking."
Locations Near You: Their Locations page lists 16 locations in
Maryland alone! Go to
http://www.invent.org/camp_invention/2_1_4_1_registration.asp 
and choose a state near you. 
Cost: $190 - $200

The Smithsonian does not seem to have its Kids calendar set for this
summer yet. You can keep tabs on it at:

http://www.si.edu/events/kids.asp

The Jerome and Dorothy Lemelson Center at the Smithsonian
Institution's National Museum of American History also seems to not
have set its summer schedule. Keep tavs on it at:

http://www.si.edu/lemelson/lemelson/index.html
http://www.si.edu/lemelson/events/calendar.html


I hope this information helps with your summer plans.        
        
If you need any clarification of the information I have provided,
please ask using the clarification feature and provide me with
additional details as to what you are looking for. As well, please
allow me to provide you with clarification(s) *before* you rate this
answer.
        
Thank you.         
        
websearcher-ga         
        
        
Search Strategy (on Google):         
 
invention OR inventing camps kids
smithsonian kids programs
smithsonian kids 
"invention camp" OR "inventor's camp"
kids inventor's OR invention program