Top 10 Summer Camps In America by:Stacey Marmolejo
Does your kid dream of being a Rock Star? Or a Race Car Driver
? How about a Veterinarian? You can give them a taste of what it's like to be any of these. Or seven other dreams they may have through very specific summer camps.
It used to be summer camp consisted of swimming in a lake or river, making really bad crafts, hiking in the woods and singing cheezy songs around the campfire at night. But if that's your image of Summer Camp; where have you been? Now there's a summer camp for everyone. These 10 summer camps are so cool that they make the NASA run Space Camp seem so "yesterday."
Here, in no particular order, are the 10 coolest summer camps in America today. Note that gender specific camps such as cheerleading or football camp were not considered. These camps are for both boys and girls.
1. Circus Camp. Learn one of many other circus acts, like how to juggle, walk a tight wire or swing on the flying trapeze, at Florida State University's Under Our Big Top Tent. Campers will learn and experience a variety of circus activities which they will show off in their Friday Showcase performance at the conclusion of camp.
Ages 7 - 17
1 week = $250 plus an additional $70 if you need after camp care.
FLORIDA
circus.fsu.edu/camp
2. Race Car Driver Camp. If your child has a need for speed let her experience it in the safe, controlled environment of this race car camp. Your son will experience both instructional time and behind the wheel time every day. Each camper has behind-the-wheel time in both the mini-cup cars and the rally off-road rally karts during the week. Camp Motorsport is for girls & boys at all experience levels, including those who have never driven. No driver's license is required. In fact, you might want to think of it as an Introduction to Drivers Ed!
Ages 8 -16
1 Week = $1275 2 weeks = $2550
VIRGINIA
campmotorsport.com
3. Outdoor Exploration The White Mountain School offers an outdoor summer experience like no other for 12-14 year olds. Students experience firsthand nature's playground and have two weeks of amazingly good times. This camp includes backpacking, rock climbing, canoeing and whitewater rafting and ends with an incredible trip to a base camp on the highest mountain in the northeast. The following morning the group makes an alpine start for the summit of this spectacular peak.
Ages 12 -14
2 weeks= $2195
NEW HAMPSHIRE
Whitemountain.org
4. Junior Vet Camp is one of the one week courses offered at Cub Creek Science Camp. If you have an aspiring vet (or doctor) this camp provides a great opportunity to see what it's like to be in the medical field. Campers will learn to read x-rays, identify internal parasites under a microscope, suture, and practice on a suture board, trim hooves, toe nails and flight feather as well as learn the signs and symptoms of a sick verses healthy animal, weigh, measure, take temperatures and other vital statistics on live animals. Campers will learn what it's like to give injections by practicing on oranges. The highlight of the camp is the kids get to watch a real surgery being performed
Ages 7 - 16
One week = $725
MISSOURI
BeaverRiverRanch.com/vet_camp.html
5. Rock Star Camp. The School of Rock Music, made famous by the movie of the same name, pays tribute to Woodstock in this, the 40th anniversary of the music festival that made history. This rock music camp accepts guitar, bass, drum, keyboard and vocal musicians 8 - 18 years old. Young rockers will learn to play and perform together, using professional equipment. They'll learn to play to the music of the Woodstock stars and the two week camp will culminate in a free concert at one of Minneapolis' most well known parks. This camp is restricted to intermediate - to - advanced musicians.
Ages 10-18
2 weeks = $1250
MINNESOTA
http://www.schoolofrock.com/stpaul6. Broadway Star Camp. Camp Broadway offers classes in singing, dancing and theater arts led by Broadway-trained teachers. This camp is ideal for kids who want to be immersed in the musical theatre experience. Campers will participate in ensemble singing, dance and movement, voice and acting. They'll interact with professional actors, producers and designer as well as get behind the scenes insights from the crew of a Broadway production. At the end of camp, parents will be treated to a showcase presentation performed by the campers.
Ages 9 - 18
1 week = $1,095
NEW YORK CITY
campbroadway.com
7. Skateboard Camp. Imagine a skateboard camp that actually takes you to the cool skate spots; not just one spot. That's exactly what is offered here. Street skating. Snakeruns. Indoor skate park. And all the nooks and crannies that only the locals know about! This skate camp is the ultimate adventure of Colorado summer skateboarding.
All ages
1 week = $995
COLORADO
allstartrips.com/denver-day.htm
8. Spanish Camp. Spanish Camp was never like this when I was a kid! But then Spanish camp was only about the language when I was kid. Now teens can experience the culture while practicing their Spanish language. There are plenty of cultural experiences built into this Spanish Camp. There's snorkeling and whale watching. There's dancing, both at an open air lounge right on the beach and in the city of San Jose. There's beach fun like sunbathing, riding horses in the ocean and roasting marshmallows around a bonfire. Then there's the adventurous activities in the rain forest like a zip line ride over the treetops. All of this will be the topic of conversations throughout a two week camp/vacation; conversation IN SPANISH at the Intercultura's Summer Beach And City Adventure Spanish Camp For Teens. They call it an immersion program. I call it the most fun you can have while learning a second language!
Ages 14 - 17
2 weeks = $1950
COSTA RICA
interculturacostarica.com/teen_spanish.html
9. Hollywood Stunt Camp. Now you can learn the secrets behind your favorite movie action sequences. Your kids will learn how to fight without hitting and fall without getting hurt. Professional stuntmen will guide campers through the techniques needed for injury-free hand-to-hand combat, swordplay techniques, fight scene choreography, jumps from high scaffolds and safe landing/falling techniques.
Ages 9 - 16
2 weeks = $1535
CALIFORNIA
paliadventures.com
10. Culinary Camp There was a day when kids made peanut butter and jelly sandwiches and were considered Junior Chefs. Those days are gone! Kids Culinary Camp now teaches the REAL skills of preparing wondering meals and deserts. Campers will study breads and pastries, beef and poultry, seafood, cake decorating as well as the skills that cross over all of these areas like chopping, garnishes and more. Campers will also be exposed to how to pursue a career in Culinary Arts and what it's like to make a living as a Chef.
Ages 9 -18
1 week = $2725. 2 weeks =$495
VERMONT
kidssummercampforcooking.com
I told you Summer Camp is nothing like it was when we were kids. Makes you want to go to Summer Camp, doesn't it?
About the author
Stacey Marmolejo is the owner of 2 after school music programs for kids 8 - 18 years old in Minneapolis/St. Paul, MN. The School of Rock Music (
http://www.schoolofrock.com/edenprairie) specializes in teaching kids how to play guitar, bass, drums, keyboards and vocals in the rock genre. The year round program includes individual lessons, group rehearsals and live concert performances in real rock venues. The school also offers summer camps (
http://www.guitarcampmn.com).
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