Never Too Old for Camp
Selecting camps tailored to your teen’s interests.
by Alysoun Sherwood
PARENTGUIDE News November 2005
After a few years of traditional summer camp— bunking
in cabins, swimming in lakes and participating in color wars—
many teens think they have become too old, or too sophisticated,
to continue attending. Others have never tried sleep-away camp
at all, thinking it is “just not for them,” and
have outgrown their local day camps.
Working families then face the dilemma of finding fun, safe
and productive ways for their teens to fill those long summer
days. The good news is that each year there are more and more
programs tailored especially to the needs and interests of teenagers,
and the options that are currently available far exceed what
one typically thinks of when considering “summer camp.”
Some traditional camps offer advanced programs for older campers.
These programs might include more extreme sports and adventures,
as well as wilderness activities like rock-climbing, white-water
rafting or mountain biking. Many teens relish the opportunity
to develop their orienteering and “survival” skills,
and wilderness challenges can teach the importance of both teamwork
and self-reliance. In terms of extreme sports, the older child
can also choose to spend the summer scuba diving, sailing or
even skiing and snowboarding! Senior campers may participate
in leadership or counselor-in-training programs, or train towards
lifeguard certification. All of these programs help teens develop
the interpersonal skills and self-confidence that will contribute
to their later successes.
For the young adult who has already developed a strong interest
in a particular sport or other activity, specialty camps offer
intensive, professional level instruction, as well as the opportunity
to socialize with others who share the same interest. Specialty
camps are offered in virtually every sport, from golf and tennis
to lacrosse and ice hockey, and in a broad range of performing
arts, including filmmaking, acting, dance, singing and musical
theatre. These programs are typically staffed by professionals,
who can often provide career guidance and mentorship beyond
the camp experience. Due to the intense focus of specialty programs,
they often run shorter in duration than traditional camps, leaving
teens’ summer schedules flexible for other activities.
Another option available to the older teen is the academic program.
Whether a student requires remedial assistance in a particular
subject or help developing general study and test-taking skills,
there are programs that teach these skills while improving the
student’s self-esteem and motivation. For the already
motivated student, academic programs can offer advanced or specialized
course work, sometimes for school credit, to accommodate virtually
any interest, from archaeology to computer programming.
Formal college and SAT preparatory programs are also available,
some of which also offer life skills training such as driver’s
education. Academic programs are generally held on college campuses,
with the “campers” residing in dormitories and truly
experiencing college-style living. A few also offer work internships
in the student’s chosen field. Some programs combine study
with travel, offering opportunities to study marine biology
in the Caribbean or a foreign language in Europe, for example.
Of course some teenagers prefer to travel strictly for recreation
and reserve formal learning for the school year. Teen tours
and travel programs can now accommodate even the most adventurous
youth, with destinations all over the United States, Europe,
South America, Australia and Africa. These trips include age-appropriate
excursions and activities that generate memories to last a lifetime.
The programs that are most often described as profoundly life-altering
are those which combine travel with community service. In addition
to gaining in-depth exposure to another culture, teens that
choose this type of program get to build solid leadership and
practical work skills. Parents often notice that upon their
return from a community service program, teens are more helpful
and responsible around the house and demonstrate an increased
sense of overall purpose.
All these teen programs can provide the kinds of experiences
and skills that can be used to build resumes and college or
scholarship applications. Because of their importance to a teen’s
future, as well as their expense, these programs should be chosen
with perhaps even more care than a younger child’s summer
camp. Parents should not rely simply on the glossy advertisements
or pervasive Internet presence some marketers use for appeal.
Nor should they feel overwhelmed by the vast array of programs
available and the prospect of discerning reputable, well-run,
long-standing programs from those that are not.
Organizations like the National Camp Association are staffed
by knowledgeable camp and teen program professionals, who can
consider a family’s specific needs and interests and make
appropriate recommendations. These referrals can be requested
at www.summercamp.org/CampQuest. Armed with this customized
information, parents should of course do their own homework
and check the references of any programs they are considering.
There is no longer any reason for teenagers to think that their
best summer adventures are behind them and that there is nothing
better for them to do than play video games or hangout at the
local mall until school starts. Now, teens can still enjoy the
fun, freedom and independence of summers’ past, while
building the life skills that can enhance their futures.
Alysoun Sherwood is the parent of a teen boy and a tween
girl, and serves as associate director of the National Camp
Association. For more information about the Association, log
on www.summercamp.org.
