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Brave New Worlds
Variety is the Reality for Camp 2007
By Mary Ann Romans
for PARENTS EXPRESS
Where is no doubt that a speciality camp can provide a unique experience for your child, but have you looked beyond the typical speciality camp to find one that is truly different?
Sure tennis or baseball camp is fun, but what about a whale camp?
"You shouldn't limit yourself to just the basics," says Beth Goldstein of Camp Experts and Teen Summers, a camp consulting firm in Wynnewood, Pa. "Today, there are a lot of unique choices out there, such as learning Chinese, which I think is pretty exotic, to a video editing camp," she says.
"For kids wanting to make a difference, there are camps for turtle conservation and [ones] that work for disadvantaged kids in Africa," Goldstein says. "Kids looking for culture can study Chinese, go to an Arabic day camp, work with Native American tribes or study photography in Thailand," she says. "And of course, there are sports camps, technical camps and special needs camps."
Sharing Interests
"One of the most tremendous benefits of camping is to spend time with others whose interests overlap with yours," Goldstein says. "Ice climbing, for example. It is fabulous to connect with people who, no matter how different they are, still share your universal passion."
One way to find a truly special camp is by visiting the American Camping Association's (ACA) Web site, www.acacamps.org, and clicking on "Find a camp." Allison MacMunn of the ACA says, "There are approximately 12,000 camps throughout the country, and therefore many types ... including specialty camps." An added bonus of using the ACA Web site is that all of the camps listed are thoroughly checked and accredited.
While Goldstein asks that you contact her directly at www.campexperts.com to learn more about the exotic choices she mentioned, here is a sampling of the many unique camps that are available for kids.
• The Whale Camp: Want a real marine learning adventure? Spend time on Canada's Grand Manan Island in the mouth of the Bay of Fundy, between Maine and Nova Scotia. This is where the North Atlantic Right Whale, the rarest whale in the world, makes its home. Campers split their time between classroom activities and field experiences. There is a lot to observe, from the whales, dolphins, porpoises and seals, to puffins and bald eagles. Other activities include sailing, hiking and ecological studies. Sessions are available in one-week, two-week and three-week durations. The three-week "Authors of the Sea" program teaches kids to design, layout and prepare their own high quality art and writing book. The Whale Camp also offers programs for adults, families and school groups. For more information, visit www.whalecamp.com.
• Camp Seagull and Seafarer: This camp focuses on seamanship, offering a wide variety of programs for kids from 6-16. The wide coastal waters and steady winds of North Carolina provide an ideal setting for seafaring, and additional activities include kayaking, motor-boating and shark-tooth hunts, as well as the more traditional horseback riding, campfires, and arts and crafts. Sessions are available for one week or four weeks. In addition, adventure programs are available for teens in such exotic locations as Australia, France and Central America. For more information, visit www.seagull-seafarer.org
• Space Camp: Yes, space camp does exist! The US Space and Rocket Center's Space Camp, located in Huntsville, Ala., offers a real variety of programs by age range and various tracks (piloting and aviation, engineering, etc.). The youngest children focus on space, aviation and robotics. Campers can spend time building rockets and robotic rovers, among other activities. Teens participating in the advanced space academy program can experience such exotic programs as Pilot Scuba (where kids get their "flight time" by scuba diving) and Mission Specialist (where they can learn aeronautical engineering and take a spin in the Underwater Astronaut Trainer). Sessions range from three to 13 days, and parent/child programs are also available. For more information, visit www.spacecamp.com.
• Archaeology Adventure: Campers can dig into the past at the Crow Canyon Archaeological Center, located at the four corners region (Colorado, Utah, Arizona and New Mexico). These summer camp programs are specifically for teens and designed to engage campers in the study and practice of archaeology. Programs include everything from a week-long introduction with hands on activities, field trips and discussions, to a three-week program where campers work alongside professional archaeologists in the field and lab. Domestic and international travel adventures that feature rare dig sites are also featured with the center. A scholarship program is available. For more information, visit www.crowcanyon.org.
• Acadia Mountain Rock and Ice Climbing Camps: Climb some of the most beautiful frozen waterfalls and rocks in New England. From the rich Acadia mountains of Maine to the stunning White Mountains of New Hampshire (in the heart of the best ice climbing country), there are unique opportunities at this camp for both budding and experienced climbers. Even the youngest campers can climb on striking sea cliffs, explore caves, canoe and learn survival skills. And junior campers have the opportunity to complete the Acadia National Park Junior Ranger Program. Programs are suitable for kids from 8 to teen, and there are young adventurers day and overnight camps. Most programs run for six days, but can vary. For more information, visit www.climbacadia.org.
• Organic Farming: On this 400-acre "biodynamic" farm, campers can build a respect for life and the environment and develop community responsibility as they live, work and play on an active environmentally friendly farm. The farm has more than 60 milk cows, and campers help process milk into yogurt and cheese. They also grow vegetables for the camp kitchen and for sale to the public. Additional activities include swimming, sports and games, nature exploration, arts and crafts, music and more. The camp is located at Hawthorne Valley Farm, in the scenic Berkshire/Taconic foothills of eastern New York. Younger campers (8-11) live together in a large farmhouse, while older campers (12-15) reside in large cabin tents mounted on wooden platforms. Sessions range from one week to four weeks. For more information, visit www.vspcamp.com.
Mary Ann Romans is a freelance writer from Aldan, Pa.
Allison MacMunn, of the American Camping Association, says out of the 12,000 camps listed on the ACA Web site, the following themes are some of the most specific:
• organic farming
• clowning
• trapeze
• CSI
• aviation
• outdoor living
• farming, ranching, gardening
• marine biology
• kayaking
• martial arts
• model rocketry
• music
• nature/environmental studies
• rafting
• riflery
• scuba
• skating
• snow sports
• travel/tour
• wind surfing
Last Updated: 1/18/2008 4:48:44 PM EST
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