From Safaris to Spacewalks: Exotic (and Educational) Summer Programs
U.S. Space and Rocket Center's Space Camp
Your child will build rockets, experience simulated moonwalks and take command of space missions. Located in Huntsville, Alabama, camps range from three to thirteen days in length and you can choose between kids-only or parent/child programs.
Safari Sleepover at the San Diego Zoo
Take a bus tour of the zoo, see a night-time animal show, enjoy a campfire sing-along and sleep out at Camp Timbuktu. This one-night program for children and their parents is a good way for families to get acquainted with the concept of learning adventures. Overnight educational programs are available at many zoos, including the Buffalo Zoo and the Brevard Zoo in Florida.
What to Consider When Choosing
- How far away are you willing to let your child go? Most children aren't ready to go away by themselves until they're 8 or 9 years old. If you're not sure what your child can handle, start with a local day camp that includes an overnight trip as part of the activities. If your child is eager for that sleepaway experience, but has never been away by himself, start with camps nearby. As he becomes older and more independent, you can let him venture further away.
- What kind of program is best for your child? Younger children are better suited to general interest summer programs. This is a good time for them to gain experiences not available to them during the school year and to discover new passions. If your child is older, with developed interests, a specialty camp might be the way to go. You'll want to make sure that the instruction available matches your child's skill level.
- How much are you willing to pay? Some of these programs are expensive. When calculating costs, be sure to factor in what you would pay for food and childcare if your child stayed home. The actual cost of a summer program is really the difference between what it costs for your child to stay home and the out-of-pocket cost of the program. If it still seems too expensive for your family, be sure to ask about financial aid or scholarships.
Timing Can Be Critical
Al Whitaker of Space Camp recommends that families plan six months in advance. "That's because some of the programs, like the robotics track or the aviation track, fill up just a few days after they're offered," he says. "Also, that way, if your child is flying in, you'll get a better rate if you make those reservations in advance."
According to Julianne Baker, an instructor at Yellowstone for Families, they're already taking reservations for next year. But, don't give up if you need a fun adventure for this summer. Baker advises, "You just never know if there'll be cancellations. Or perhaps there's room for three people and you have a family of three and you just happen to call at the right time. We always have little spots here and there. We also have private tours that a family might be interested in. Say you come to Yellowstone and you have one day and you would like to make up your own itinerary, but you'd like a guide and to learn about what it is you're seeing. You could schedule your own private tour with us."
Additional Resources
For more ideas for great summer learning programs, check out the following Web sites:
- KidsCamp.com has a comprehensive directory of camps, teen tours, day camps and adventure programs that pay to be listed on the site.
- Teen Ink.com, a Web site for the monthly print magazine Teen Ink, has a comprehensive listing of summer programs for teens.
- The American Camp Association Web site is for camp professionals, but has a parent center with a camp locator and lots of valuable information for parents. The ACA accredits both day and sleepaway camps, and its site lets you search by type of camp and your child's age.
- The National Camp Association, which only lists sleepaway camps, also accredits camps and features a useful Camp Recommendation guide.
