A Summer to Remember

Julie attended a summer camp in Northern California for 12 years. Now, in her early twenties, Julie volunteers as a counselor each summer at the same youth camp, hoping to make sure that other children have the same life-changing experiences that helped smooth her way into adulthood.

The Malama family took the advice of neighbors six years ago and attended a family-style camp for the first time. The camp turned out to be a young person's paradise and ecstatically, a parents' paradise as well (someone else cooked all their meals!). Besides lining up together for chow three times a day, the family participated in drama productions, art classes, nature hikes, mini-Olympics and told ghost stories around the campfire at night. The Malama boys, now in their teens, still fondly talk about their camp adventures and insist (after now meeting two generations of camp participants) that they will be taking THEIR kids to the same camp someday.

Summer camps have come along way over the decades. Many youth programs are designed to help children build self-confidence and self-reliance and family-style camps have become traditions that are cherished forever as the experiences are passed from generation to generation.

There are literally thousands of camps and programs getting ready for children and families this summer. Here are a few exceptional programs that Homeschool.com has recently learned about and felt you would be very interested in:
 

 
Julian Krinsky Summer Camps
Internationally renowned, unique summer programs that stand out from the crowd: A world class Tennis program for all levels. A School of Golf named most outstanding by Town and Country Magazine. An extraordinary Enrichment camp teaches Music, Drama, Art, Computers, Multi-media, and more. A trend-setting Culinary program, with sophisticated instruction by master chefs. A Business program allows campers to invest in the stock market and learn to lead their way to the top. All programs have expert instructors, small teacher/student ratios, and a separate staff in charge of overnight supervision. Located at beautiful college settings in Philadelphia and Boston. Call Toll Free 1-800-TRY-JKST.
Web: http://www.JKST.com/

Keewaydin Canoe Camp
Established in 1893, Keewaydin Canoe Camp offers boys and girls the experience of over 100 years of canoe trip camping adventures. Campers build a sense of independent strength, accomplishment, and a team spirit that comes with experiencing "the old ways" in the untouched Canadian wilderness. For boys 10 to 18 and girls 10 to 16. We still have a few openings. Please call Brooks MacMillen, director at (802) 295-9574 for more information.
Web: http://www.keewaydin.org/

Cybercamps
Cybercamps inspires young minds to explore the latest hi-tech computer topics. Project oriented, hands-on learning for all ability levels, ages 7 to 16, teaches students lifelong skills. Courses correlate to National Educational Standards (NETS). One student per computer produces great projects. A few highlights for 2001 include: Video Game Design where game ideas come to life; Digital Arts-for ultimate creative exploration; Cyber Explorer-specially designed course for 7-10 year olds; Robotics course- take home the robot you design and build! Girl-focused weeks offer a whole new experience specifically designed to engage girls in technology. Call Toll Free 1-888-904-CAMP (2267).
Web: http://www.cybercamps.com/

Ace Computer Camps
With over 1 million hours of technology training experience, ACE provides students of all abilities the most fun, innovative and effective tech-knowledge experience through summer camp programs at major universities and year-round through their online learning site - ACEplanet.com. From beginner to Webmaster, ACE helps kids 7 to 16 develop cutting edge skills while creating cool projects. Computer fundamentals, Web design, programming, multimedia design, and video editing at 85+ universities!
Web: http://www.ComputerCamp.com/

Cumberland Camp
Traditional American dance and music embody fundamental values of great worth to our culture, nation and children. There is no better way to share family time together than in dance and making music for dance. Spend a week with us in Kentucky this summer and help us pass it on to the next generation!
Web: http://www.lloydshaw.org/

American Sail Training Association
Looking for learning in an environment that combines adventure, teamwork, and personal growth? Since 1973 the American Sail Training Association, a 501(c)(3) non-profit, has offered a comprehensive guide to educational programs aboard sailing vessels worldwide.
Web: http://www.tallships.sailtraining.org/
 

Here are some fabulous books to help you plan your next family adventure:

National Geographic Guide to Family Adventure Vacations: Wildlife Encounters, Cultural Explorations and Learning Escapes in the US and Canada by Candyce H. Stapen

Learning Comes to Life: An Active Learning Program for Teens y Karen Johnson Pittman (Introduction), Ellen Meredith Ilfeld

The Back Door Guide to Short-Term Job Adventures: Internships, Extraordinary Experiences, Seasonal Jobs, Volunteering, Work Abroad by Michael Landes

Volunteer Vacations: Short-Term Adventures That Will Benefit You and Others (Volunteer Vacations, 7th Ed) by Bill McMillon, Edward Asner

Great American Learning Vacations: Hundreds of Workshops, Camps, and Tours That Will Satisfy Your Curiosity and Enrich Your Life

Baseball Vacations: Great Family Trips to Minor League and Classic Major League Ballparks Across America by Margaret Engel, Bruce Adams
 

While your family is contemplating what type of adventures to embark on this summer, here are some suggestions for FUN that might be available in your neck of the woods:

Share the reading experience with your child and join a summer reading program!

Here's a worthwhile event that might be taking place just down your block. In an effort to encourage continued reading over the summer months many public libraries offer free reading programs that include thematic events and incentive programs to stimulate your child's interest in reading. Sign up today!

You might also want to check with your local chamber of commerce and universities for community events such as, a brown bag lecture series, free music and theatrical performances, community center classes or fairs and festivals that are scheduled in your area.

There are the traditional trips to the park, zoos, museums, movies and the community swimming hole, but what about an outing to weekend flea market, or farmer's market? Interesting family adventures can be found everywhere you turn.

Help your child read the newspaper every day to find out what's going on in your area and don't forget to browse the internet to see what kind of wonderful adventures can be discovered there!