How to Choose a Speciatly Summer Camp
Written on August 14, 2009 – 5:31 am | by admin
Specialty summer camp programs have continued to grow in popularity each of the past several years. In fact, they’re the fastest growing segment of the entire summer camp industry. A “specialty” camp generally focuses on one or more related camp activities (just beach and surfing activities, for example), versus a traditional summer camp which typically offers a more generalized program with activities such as arts & crafts, horseback riding, nature study, sports and games, archery, and dance and drama, among others.
Specialty camps have historically appealed to “older” kids (generally ages 10 or 12) because their lifestyle interests begin to take shape at this age and they become more interested in specialized fields of study or play as they grow. But in recent years, specialty camps are seeing more enrollment from children as young as preschool age whose parents may want them exposed to more specific camp activities than they’d get at a traditional camp.
Like traditional camps, specialty camps offer day or resident/sleepaway camp experiences. (At day camps, children are generally brought to the camp each morning in a bus or van, spend their day at camp, and then return home in the late afternoon. At resident camps, children “live” at the camp — typically in bunks, tents or cabins — for up to several weeks at a time during the summer.)
There seems to be no limit as to the types of specialty camps available. If your child is interested in a specific area of interest, you can be sure there’s a specialty camp designed for them. For example, a recent internet search revealed the following types of specialty camps: beach and surfing camps, cooking camps, boating camps, camps for children with special needs, weight loss camps, boot camps, football camps, general sports camps, ski and snowboard camps, camps for children with cancer, baking camps, tennis camps, acting camps, academic camps, entrepreneurial camps, family camps and camps for twins, among others.
Where’s the best place to start your search for a specialty camp? We always suggest picking an American Camp Association (ACA) Accredited camp, regardless of the type of camp you choose. By choosing an accredited camp, you can be sure the camp meets or exceeds up to 300 best-practice industry standards relating to child safety and supervision, transportation, program and activity scheduling, food service, and more.
The ACA maintains a free Website where you can search for a specialty camp among any criteria that’s important to you such as by type of camp, location, gender, price, and ages served.
Go to http://acacamps.com to start your search. It doesn’t matter if you’re looking for a beach and surf camp in Los Angeles or a cooking camp in Wisconsin, the specialty camp you’re looking for will be right there on the ACA’s Web site.
10 Responses to “How to Choose a Speciatly Summer Camp”
By Andy on Oct 25, 2009 | Reply
Clothing:
- Short Sleeve Shirts (3 per person)
-Long Sleeve Shirts (1 per person)
-Long Pants (2 per person)
-Short Pants (2 per person)
-Underwear (5 per person)
-Bra (2 per female)
-Socks (5 pairs per person)
-Tennis Shoes (2 pairs per person)
-Sandals (2 pairs per person- one for the showers)
-Night clothes (2 pairs per person)
-Jackets (1 per person)
-Hat (1 per person)
-Swim Suit (1 per person)
-Kid's clothing (pack multiples)
Supplies:
Can opener
Food (beans,soup,bread,ect)
Utensils
Tongs
Plastic Wrap
Foil
Plates/Bowls/Cups
BBQ
Wood
Swiss Army Knife
Small hatchet
Mace (optional)
Water
Water purifier
Marshmallow/Smores Supplies
Pens/Paper/Pencil
Vitamins
Medication
Deodorant
Shampoo
Conditioner
Comb
Brush
Mirror
Scissors
Zip Lock Bags
Shopping bags for dirty clothes
Backpack
Floatable Bag
Rafts
Pots/Pans
Rope
Bungee Cords
Bottles (for the kids?)
Bug Repellent
Comfort Toys for the kids
Playpins (for young kids)
Diapers (for young kids)
Tent
Tarps
Broom
Doormat
Bed Sheets
Sleeping Bags
Pillows
Extra Blankets
Flash lights
Compass
Batteries
Camera
iPod
Cell Phone
Walkie Talkies
Paper Towels
Towels
Washcloths
Wet Wipes
Matches
Fire Starters
Eye Wash
Tweezers
Glow sticks
Hiking Guide
Lysol
Hand Sanitizer
Soap
These are your basics – you can add what you wish! Have a fantastic first trip!
By fashion_munky on Oct 25, 2009 | Reply
Unless you have to make reservations or something, I would just wait until you get there and play it by ear. Its camping! You'll have fun no matter what. If you have to make reservations, do it anyway, you can always cancel. 11 people is hard to plan for- thats why I'd wait . . .
By cletoz on Oct 25, 2009 | Reply
Here you go:
http://www.landarv.com/
By stillsavinglives on Oct 25, 2009 | Reply
my dad and our family was saved through his ministry before he went apostate.
By levendis99 on Oct 25, 2009 | Reply
I had lower back surgery a few years ago and I know what it feels like to wake up with the sore back.
How thick is your ThermaRest?
I use a RidgeRest on bottom, then a 25 inch wide, 2 inch thick ThermaRest, then a 25 inch wide and a 2.5 inch thick ThermaRest on top of that. I sleep very good and the mattresses stay in place.
You realize that you need to sleep "in" the ThermaRest, not "on". Lay down on your fully inflated setup and let air out until it is comfortable.
My 2.5 inch mattress is lighter than the 2 inch. The 2 inch is the Camp Rest which is supposed to be the warmest mattress they make.
When backpacking I carry the 2.5 inch mattress and the RidgeRest.
I have carried two RidgeRest pads and one 1.5 inch ThermaRest and been comfortable.
You will not find a better mattress than the ThermaRest, we have tried REI, Cabelos, and the rest.
Lately, we have converted to hammocks for backpacking in the warmer months. We can carry the hammock with a bug net and a fly and be lighter than carrying a tent and various pads. I can sleep on my back or my side on the hammock. If you want to go lightweight you might want to consider the hammock.
By jackrrabitt on Oct 26, 2009 | Reply
Northeast of the twin cities is the Chequamegon National Forest
http://www.fs.fed.us/r9/cnnf/
which allows dispersed camping outside of campgrounds. Once you're on federal land you can pretty much camp where you please. Just follow a Forest Service road and you'll probably find a nice campsite right on a lake.
By 1st-astro-mex on Oct 26, 2009 | Reply
my kids always loved playing frisbie golf and aiming at trees that weren't going to have over or underthrown discs landing in the other campers sites. we would go off into forrest and use triangulating to go off and explore while tossing discs ahead for scores. Another couple of good camping games is poker with dice and dominoes. But sitting back with a book one always finds time for when in a hammock or stretched out on a nice grassy area in shade…
By julianachants on Oct 27, 2009 | Reply
I suggest you search for Girl Scout recipes. There are several web sites that provide an abundance of recipes for outdoor use.
I like gorp. It used to be made of Post Sugar Crisp, M&Ms, and peanuts. It's an energy snack. One has to be careful today with the various allergies children have.
Dried fruit "chips" (slices) are fun to make and easy to carry and eat. Banana, apricot, apple, peach, all make good chips. Banana and apple are the least messy.
By angel_rae_23 on Oct 27, 2009 | Reply
My wife and I used to do this…a LOT!
We cooked breakfast every morning. Lunches were on your own. Dinners were we cooked the meat and the other campers provided the side dishes.
Everyone paid $15 toward the meals we provided. That didn't cover the actual cost, but it came pretty close because I used a lot of things from home that I already had. Salt and pepper shakers, cooking oil, margarine, etc.
Pancakes are cheap. Scrambled eggs with bits of ham and cheese is easy. Potatoes are cheap. I had an electric table top griddle that I used for breakfast. We camped where they had hook-ups.
Everyone is responsible to provide their own sleeping equipment and ice chests, etc.
You either want to get what is called a "group site", or several camping "spaces" together. Ask the park ranger how many vehicles are allowed per space. The more people you can get in a space, the cheaper the space.
Find out if there is someone in the squadron that has access to free firewood.
Distribute lists of what each person is responsible for. They need to bring 2 lunches for themselves and provide a side dish for 2 dinners for the group. Their $15, will provide 3 breakfasts and 2 dinners. They need to bring their own plates. utensils, and drinks.
Have set meal times for breakfast and dinner. Since they are on their own for lunch, you will have all day to enjoy yourself.
You can plan some games, or get someone else who would like to do that. Water-filled balloon toss. Hairy man contest. Whatever you think would work with the group you have.
Sitting around the fire in the evening is a great time to share "The Most Embarrassing Moment" story, or who can tell the biggest lie.
You can do any variations on this you want. Depending on budget, where the money comes from, what if anything you are able to get donated. You may find a store that is willing to donate if "Squadron" indicates your husband and other campers are in the military.
You can find junk in your garage, such as an old fuel pump or something and write "Hairy Man Trophy" on it with a magic marker. Much more fun than the real thing.
You are limited by your imagination much more than you are by lack of helpful participants. You will be finding people willing to help out when you actually get there.
By anatoly_62 on Oct 27, 2009 | Reply
Where I live I'm fortunate enough to be surrounded by the Allegheny National Forest. We don't need fire permits, or hiking permits. We can go stay in the same spot for up to 14 days before we have to move a certain distance away. My Allegheny National Forest is mine to use when i want because I'm a taxpaying American citizen. If you don't live in the land of the free, ya may want to check out local laws and regulations. Tidioute-West Hickory!! Allegheny River, ANF!!