Summer night camps. Top 28 Sleepaway Camps for Kids in California and Beyond: Summer 2021 Guide

What are the best sleepaway camps for kids in 2021. How to choose the right overnight camp experience. Which California camps offer unique programs and activities. Where can you find highly-rated East Coast camps for children.

Exploring the World of Sleepaway Camps: A Comprehensive Guide for Parents

Sleepaway camps offer children a unique opportunity to grow, learn, and create lasting memories. As parents begin researching summer options for their kids, it’s important to understand the diverse range of camps available. This guide covers top-rated sleepaway camps in California and beyond, helping families find the perfect fit for their children’s interests and needs.

California’s Premier Sleepaway Camp Options

The Golden State boasts an impressive array of sleepaway camps, catering to various interests and age groups. Here are some standout options:

AstroCamp: Where Science Meets Adventure

Celebrating 30 years of excellence, AstroCamp combines hands-on science education with outdoor adventures. Located in the San Jacinto Mountains, this camp offers:

• Custom rocket building and launching
• 60+ summer activities
• Experiential astronomy training
• Challenge-by-choice philosophy
• 1-2 week sessions for ages 8-17

How does AstroCamp balance education and fun? By integrating STEM concepts into exciting activities like cosmic lander crashes and mountain adventures, campers learn while having the time of their lives.

Woodcraft Rangers: A Tradition of Outdoor Exploration

With 99 years of experience, Woodcraft Rangers offers a classic camp experience near Idyllwild. Key features include:

• Diverse specialty activities
• Naturalist-led explorations
• Focus on leadership and environmental justice
• Inclusive “Camp for All” model
• Four week-long sessions with different themes

Why choose Woodcraft Rangers? This camp provides a perfect blend of traditional camp activities and modern programming, all while fostering a sense of community and environmental stewardship.

Catalina Sea Camp: Ocean Adventures Await

For over 40 years, Catalina Sea Camp has been offering unforgettable marine experiences. Highlights include:

• 60+ ocean and traditional camp activities
• Scuba diving, snorkeling, kayaking, and sailing
• Marine biology focus
• Private beach location on Catalina Island
• 1-3 week sessions for ages 8-17

What makes Catalina Sea Camp unique? Its unparalleled access to ocean environments allows campers to develop a deep appreciation for marine life while enjoying thrilling water-based activities.

Specialized Camps for Diverse Interests

California’s sleepaway camps cater to a wide range of interests and talents. Here are some specialized options:

Amplify Sleep Away Camp for Girls

Located at Ojai Valley School Upper Campus, Amplify offers a one-week rock camp experience for girls aged 11-17. Program highlights:

• Instrument instruction (guitar, bass, drums, vocals, keys)
• Band formation
• Original song writing
• Final showcase performance

How does Amplify empower young women? By providing a supportive environment for musical exploration and collaboration, girls develop confidence, creativity, and teamwork skills.

East Coast Sleepaway Camp Options

While California offers numerous excellent camps, some families may be interested in East Coast options. Here are a few noteworthy camps:

Camp Tamakwa: A Classic Northwoods Experience

Located in Algonquin Park, Ontario, Camp Tamakwa offers a traditional camp experience with modern amenities. Features include:

• Waterfront activities on pristine lakes
• Extensive arts and sports programs
• Leadership development opportunities
• Rich camp traditions dating back to 1936

What sets Camp Tamakwa apart? Its blend of timeless camp traditions and contemporary programming creates a unique environment for personal growth and lifelong friendships.

Camp Laurel: A Premier Maine Camp Experience

Situated on Echo Lake in Maine, Camp Laurel provides a well-rounded summer experience. Highlights include:

• Extensive waterfront and land sports
• Professional-quality arts facilities
• Adventure and outdoor living programs
• Focus on character development and social skills

Why consider Camp Laurel? Its diverse program offerings and emphasis on personal growth make it an excellent choice for children with varied interests.

Choosing the Right Sleepaway Camp: Factors to Consider

Selecting the perfect sleepaway camp involves careful consideration of several factors:

1. Child’s interests and personality
2. Camp philosophy and values
3. Program offerings and specialties
4. Staff qualifications and camper-to-counselor ratio
5. Location and facilities
6. Session length and dates
7. Cost and financial aid options

How can parents make the best decision? By thoroughly researching camps, talking to camp directors, and involving their children in the decision-making process, families can find the ideal fit for their needs.

Preparing Your Child for Sleepaway Camp: Tips for Success

Ensuring a positive sleepaway camp experience begins with proper preparation. Consider these tips:

• Discuss expectations and potential challenges
• Practice independence skills at home
• Involve your child in packing and planning
• Establish communication expectations
• Foster a positive attitude about the experience

How can parents ease separation anxiety? By maintaining a cheerful and confident demeanor, parents can help their children embrace the excitement of camp while feeling supported from afar.

The Long-Term Benefits of Sleepaway Camp Experiences

Sleepaway camps offer more than just summer fun; they provide valuable life skills and personal growth opportunities. Some key benefits include:

• Increased independence and self-reliance
• Improved social skills and ability to form friendships
• Enhanced problem-solving and decision-making abilities
• Greater appreciation for nature and outdoor activities
• Boosted self-confidence and resilience
• Exposure to diverse perspectives and experiences

How do these benefits manifest in daily life? Children who attend sleepaway camps often return home with increased maturity, stronger communication skills, and a broader worldview that serves them well in school and beyond.

Emerging Trends in Sleepaway Camp Programming

As the world evolves, so do sleepaway camp offerings. Some current trends include:

• Increased focus on STEM and technology integration
• Emphasis on mindfulness and mental health
• Expansion of leadership and entrepreneurship programs
• Growing popularity of specialized camps (e.g., culinary, filmmaking)
• Integration of global awareness and cultural exchange components

How are camps adapting to meet modern needs? By incorporating cutting-edge programming while maintaining traditional camp values, sleepaway camps continue to provide relevant and enriching experiences for today’s youth.

Sleepaway camps offer children invaluable opportunities for personal growth, skill development, and unforgettable memories. Whether opting for a traditional outdoor experience, a specialized program, or a blend of both, families have a wealth of options to choose from in California and beyond. By carefully considering each child’s needs and interests, parents can select the perfect camp to foster their child’s development and create lasting summer experiences.

As you explore the diverse world of sleepaway camps, remember that each camp offers its own unique blend of activities, philosophy, and community. Take the time to research thoroughly, ask questions, and involve your child in the decision-making process. With the right preparation and mindset, a sleepaway camp experience can be a transformative journey of self-discovery, friendship, and personal growth that will benefit your child for years to come.

28 Sleep Away Camps for The Best Summer Ever

Updated for 2021

As we say here at MomsLA: it’s never too early to start researching summer camps. Popular summer camps and sleep-away camps near Los Angeles tend to reach capacity far before the last day of school. To help you prepare, we’ve rounded up the 28 best Sleep Away Camps for Kids in California – and Beyond – updated for 2021! 

We know that Sleep Away Camp has not always been popular with LA parents, but we think that’s starting to change. You’ll see lots of options in this list, both close by and far away. 

You’ll Find:

• Sleep Away Camps in Los Angeles
• Sleep Away Camps in California
• Featured Sleep Away Camps
• Sleep Away Camps on the East Coast
• Sleep Away Camps Near Me

Sleep Away Camp Guide Sponsored by Tips on Trips and Camps Los Angeles

Featured Sleep Away Camps

Type: Academic, Adventure Camp, Featured Sleep Away Camp, Outdoors, Science, Sleep Away, STEM

Description:

Celebrating 30 years of Excellence in Science and Adventure! Launch your own custom-made rocket at AstroCamp! Campers come each summer to make memories, have fun, and get hands-on science and astronomy training while participating in a variety of 60+ summer activities! Whether it’s building and launching rockets or crashing a cosmic lander, campers are surrounded with experiential mountain adventure.

At this ACA Accredited, challenge-by-choice summer camp, every camper is supported to try new activities. AstroCamp is the premier residential summer camp that focuses on STEM and outdoor adventure for children ages 8-17. Sign up for one of six sessions ranging from 1-week to 2-weeks and experience the summer of a lifetime!

Set among the gorgeous pine forests of the San Jacinto Mountains of California, AstroCamp is the perfect place to unplug and connect with friends, nature, and ADVENTURE!

Connect:Find out more

Type: Featured Sleep Away Camp, Leadership/Environmental Justice, Music, Nature, Outdoors, Performing Arts, Sleep Away, Sports

Description:

One of California’s original summer camps, Woodcraft Rangers will host its 99th summer of fun at Mountain Center near idyllic Idyllwild! Join kids from throughout SoCal to disconnect, reconnect and make forever friends while exploring the forest’s natural beauty. Led by skilled, certified, experienced year-round youth workers who have delivered safe, in-person programs during COVID, Woodcraft Rangers staff give kids an unforgettable experience and parents peace of mind. A wide range of specialty activities and naturalist-led exploration complement classic camp traditions and give Rangers a chance to grow, connect and play at a time when they need it most. Woodcraft will strictly follow health and safety guidelines by the state of California and the American Camp Association and is committed to a Camp for All model that ensures access and celebrates diversity.

Welcome, Rangers!

Week 1: June 20-25 – People and our Planet (Leadership/ Environmental Justice)
Week 2: June 27 – July 2 – Classic Camp Woodcraft
Week 3: July 11-16 – Sports! Arts! Culture! (Sports and Performing Arts)
Week 4: July 18-23 – Classic Camp Woodcraft

Connect:Find out more

Type: Academic, Adventure Camp, Beach, Featured Sleep Away Camp, Outdoors, Sailing, Science, Sleep Away, STEM, Surfing, Water Sports

Description:

Celebrating over 40 years of Excellence in Ocean Adventure! Summer camp on Catalina Island is a great way to spend your summer! Catalina Sea Camp offers 60+ ocean adventure and traditional summer camp activities, including scuba diving, snorkeling, kayaking, and sailing, to name a few. Catalina Sea Camp is an ideal combination of land and sea for a fantastic summer camp experience.

At this ACA Accredited, challenge-by-choice summer camp, every camper is supported to try new activities. Catalina Sea Camp is the premier residential summer camp that focuses on marine biology and ocean adventure for children ages 8-17. Sign up for one of five sessions ranging from 1-week to 3-weeks and experience the summer of a lifetime!

Located on a private beach at Toyon Bay on Catalina Island. Two and a half miles by water from the city of Avalon, Catalina Sea Camp is the perfect place to unplug and connect with friends, ocean, and ADVENTURE!

Connect:Find out more

Bar 717 Ranch/ Camp Trinity and ID Tech

Sleep Away Camps in California

Amplify Sleep Away Camp For Girls

Ojai Valley School Upper Campus
10820 Reeves Road, Ojai, CA 93023

Amplify Sleep Away Rock Camp is a one-week overnight program offered to girls ages 11-17 years old and is held at Ojai Valley Boarding High School in Ojai. At Camp Amplify, girls of all skill levels have the opportunity to learn guitar, bass, drums, vocals, keys or other instruments. Girls will also form a band, write an original song, and perform at the Final Showcase for their family and friends.

AstroCamp

26800 Saunders Meadow Road, Idyllwild , CA 92549

AstroCamp is a mountain adventure, physical science, and traditional camp program located in Idyllwild, California. Boys and girls ages 8-17 make memories and have fun while participating in a variety of activities like space exploration, rock climbing, mountain biking, rocketry, astronomy, craftsmanship, and summer camp fun.

Catalina Sea Camp

Toyon Bay, Catalina Island

Celebrating over 40 years of Excellence in Ocean Adventure! Summer camp on Catalina Island is a great way to spend your summer! Catalina Sea Camp offers 60+ ocean adventure and traditional summer camp activities, including scuba diving, snorkeling, kayaking, and sailing, to name a few. Catalina Sea Camp is an ideal combination of land and sea for a fantastic summer camp experience.

River Way Ranch Camp

6450 Elwood Rd., Sanger, CA 93657

Located in the foothills of Sequoia National Park, River Way Ranch Camp offers children, ages 7-16, a summer of friendships and memories to last a lifetime. Campers may choose from 75 activities including waterskiing, horseback riding, ropes course, mini-bikes, go-karts, waverunners, gymnastics, overnights and more. With an emphasis on the first time campers, River Way provides exciting experiences, focusing on increasing self-confidence. Campers, ages 7-9, remain with their counselors throughout the day participating in a variety of activities, while 10-16-year-olds customize their schedules.

Bar 717 Ranch / Camp Trinity

17197 Hyampom Rd., Hayfork, CA 96041

Founded in 1930, the Bar 717 Ranch is the oldest accredited co-educational summer camp in California. For 89 years the Bar 717 Ranch has offered children ages 8-16 an opportunity to spend the summer on a beautiful mountain ranch.   The camp property consists of mountains and meadows, rivers and ponds for swimming, creeks for exploring and miles of trails to discover. Through ranch activities, the camp program emphasizes taking responsibility for oneself and others in a non-competitive, supportive environment.   Campers choose freely from activities: horsemanship, backpacking, gardening, animal care, river swimming, arts/crafts, photography, riflery, music, archery, blacksmithing, ceramics and more.

Camp Ocean Pines

1473 Randall Drive, Cambria, CA 93428

Give your child a life-changing experience at Camp Ocean Pines in Cambria, California. We’re a small nature-based resident camp, in a pine forest on the Pacific Ocean. Your camper will build friendships, experience amazing nature, and just get to be a kid! Our Teen Programs will let you older kids travel with new friends and explore some beautiful and fun places! We know you’ll agree, there is no place like Camp Ocean Pines.

Camp Wasewagan on the River

42121 Seven Oaks Rd. , Angelus Oaks, Ca 92305

Located along the Santa Ana River, nestled in the San Bernardino National Forest, we offers many opportunities for excitement and adventures at our traditional overnight summer camp! Campers will go on hikes, learn about archery, fencing, riflery & paintball, and get to play/swim in the water during their stay. Campers will also get to challenge themselves on our high ropes course. To create an experience unique to each camper, they will get to choose their own exciting field trip to go on which include stand-up paddle board, horse ride trail, alpine waterslide, alpine zoo, roller-skating, Biking around Big Bear Lake. Come spend the summer with us to create lasting memories and friendships!

Dunn Summer Academy

2555 W. Highway 154, Los Olivos, CA 93441

4 Week residential camp in Santa Barbara County at Dunn School focused on academic improvement and STEM. STEM Academy will focus on robotics, rocketry, genetics and space with special guest speakers and field trips. Morning classes and afternoon enrichments, evening activities and weekend trips.

Endless Summer Surf Camp

Old Hwy 101, San Clemente, CA 92672

The Endless Summer Surf Camp has a beautiful campsite overlooking the Pacific Ocean in the San Onofre State Park campground, which is just south of the city of San Clemente. All 5-day surf camp packages start Monday morning at 8am and finish Friday at 4pm. The overnight camp includes accommodations, all meals, drinks and snacks, 24 hour supervision, and all your surfing equipment as well as surf instruction.

Idyllwild Arts

52500 Temecula Rd., Idyllwild, CA 92549

At Idyllwild Arts, summer is serious fun! Since 1950, the Idyllwild Arts Summer Program has offered intensive workshops in dance, film, music, songwriting, theatre, visual arts and writing to students of all ages and abilities, including Family Week. Located in the beautiful mountains of Southern California. Art Workshops are available for Kids and Teens (ages 5-18), Adults, and Families.

Kennolyn Camps

Multiple locations – Santa Cruz and Huntington Lake, CA

Since 1946, Kennolyn Camps has provided a haven for boys and girls ages 6-16 to be their best selves, unplug from technology, and make lifelong friends. Join us at one of our two overnight camp locations: in the Santa Cruz Mountains at our hidden village in the redwood forest just a short drive to the beach. Or on Huntington Lake just south of Yosemite at our cozy lodge nestled in the Sierras. This summer we’re celebrating 75 years of changed lives!

Mountain Meadow Ranch Summer Camp

704-950 Wingfield Road, Susanville, CA 9613

Give your kids the experience of a lifetime this summer on a spacious, 900 acre working ranch in the Sierras of Northern California.  Mountain Meadow is a unique, classic traditional, co-ed summer camp offering many activities campers can choose from daily.  Enrollment is limited to 120 campers to ensure a more personalized camp experience for each child and a family-like environment.   Friendships flourish and life-skills are acquired as campers take on challenges and new experiences with the encouragement of our college-age staff.  Two and four week sessions are offered, and kids ages 7 to 16 are welcome to enroll.

Pali Adventures

30778 CA-18, Running Springs, CA 92382

Pali is a fun one-of-a-kind summer camp experience, where campers design their own unique adventure. 21 morning specialty camps offer the chance to learn something new and amazing  from Hollywood Stunts to Flying Trapeze, Pali Adventures promises that your child will have the best summer camp experience ever.

Rock-n-Water Christian Camps

6580 CA-49, Lotus, CA 95651

Founded in 1989, Rock-N-Water is a group of Christians who want to impact young people with the joy of God’s Living Word, so they might come to know Jesus and pass on God’s love with excitement. We focus our sleepaway camp programs on biblical principles, and we use the help of nature, friendship, and outdoor challenges to develop character.

Sierra Sleep-Away Camp

Bass Lake, CA

At the 47th annual Sierra sleep-away camp located at Bass Lake, campers ages 7-17 will have the experience of a lifetime while enjoying a true camping experience with tent living while still utilizing some modern day conveniences. Fun and adventure are woven into each day along with the opportunity to develop new skills or improve old ones.

Skylake Yosemite Camp

37976 Road 222, Wishon, CA 93669

Skylake is summer camp the way it is supposed to be. Over 75 years providing a lakeside camp in the Sierra National Forest. Co-ed camp for 210 campers with 75 counselors. Bus transportation provided for all two and four week sessions. 70%+ return rate of campers-because they love it. American Camp Association accredited and member of Western Association of Independent Camps.

Sleep Away Camps in Los Angeles (or Nearby)

iD Tech Camp

Multiple Locations throughout the LA area, including UCLA Campus

Kids will have the opportunity to develop real-world tech skills and experience firsthand how interests can turn into a college degree and future career. Led by hip, tech-savvy instructors, ages 7-17 code apps, design video games, mod with Minecraft, engineer robots, build websites, produce films, and more. iD Tech also offers iD Programming Academy (for teens, held at UCLA), iD Game Design & Development Academy (for teens), Alexa Café (all-girls STEM program, held at Marymount High), and iD Tech Mini (half/full day for ages 6-9, held at Caltech).

Camp Hollywoodland for Girls

3200 Canyon Dr., Hollywood, CA 90068

Camp Hollywoodland, a residential camp for girls, has been around for over 90 years. That is over 90 years’ worth of campfires, songs, skits, swim time, dances, field trips, archery, challenge zones, and amazing themed meals. Camp Hollywoodland pays homage to our tradition of turning girls into leaders. Leaders that have exceptional character, exemplify kindness, show compassion and keen spirit to overcome their obstacles. This is one reason why our Camp Hollywoodland family continues to grow. There is nothing more satisfying than making new friends, creating lasting memories, and being a part of a sisterhood that encourages and enriches your life. This summer we are eager to welcome new campers and recognize former ones!

Catalina Island Camps

Howlands Landing, Catalina Island

Located on Catalina Island, this camp is a traditional coed sleepaway camp for campers entering 2nd grade through 10th grade. Campers attend camp for 1 week, 2 week or 4 week long sessions. Activities include snorkeling, kayaking, sailing, tubing, high ropes course, archery & riflery, gardening & composting, outdoor cooking, and much more.

Griffith Park Boys Camp

4730 Crystal Springs Drive, Los Angeles, CA 90027

Believe it or not Griffith Park Boys’ Camp has been part of the City of Los Angeles’ Department of Recreation and Parks Camping Section since 1924. Griffith Park Boys Camp has more than 87 years of history helping give boys, through the transformative experiences of nature, a foundation for future greatness. This great place is not just somewhere; it is right here in your own back yard.

New York Film Academy

3300 Riverside Drive, Burbank, CA 91505

The 2016 summer marks the 19th season the New York Film Academy will bring it’s high school summer film and acting camps to teens ages 13-17 years old. In the high school workshops, each student writes, directs, shoots, and edits, or acts in his or her own short films. Students reside at the Oakwood Corporate Housing complex. Oakwood offers two pools, tennis courts, basketball, and volleyball among its amenities. The entire property is gated and there is a 24-hour guard at the entrance to the property. A day camp for tweens (ages 10-13) is also offered.

SOCAPA School of Creative and Performing Arts

Occidental College: 1600 Campus Road, Los Angeles, CA, 90041

Come join the next generation of visual and performing artists at SOCAPA – The School of Creative & Performing Arts! SOCAPA offers 1-3 week Summer Program intensives in Filmmaking, Acting, Music, Dance, Photography and Screenwriting. Campers of all experience levels are challenged to advance their craft through hands-on learning with teachers who are leaders in their fields. With these Intensives comes the best of summer – a time for friendship and fun with activities every night and weekend.  Los Angeles campers can enjoy trips to Venice Beach and the Walk of Fame, along with visits from guest artists, karaoke nights, and much more!

Sleep Away Camps on the East Coast

Camp Waukeela

23 Brownfield Road, Eaton Center, New Hampshire 03832

We believe that during their summers at Waukeela, Girls become the best version of themselves. Beyond all of the amazing activities we offer, we believe that camp truly prepares our campers for life as independent, thoughtful and self-confident young women.

Explo

932 Washington Street, Norwood, MA 02062

For more than 40 years, EXPLO has brought together bright, curious, and interesting young people from around the globe. EXPLO provides a range of one-, two-, and three-week summer programs for students ages 7 to 17 on the campuses of Yale University, Wellesley College, and Wheaton College (MA). Featuring more courses, activities, and trips than any other summer program, EXPLO is a unique, safe, and supportive learning environment. Our students make friends from around the world, discover new interests and abilities, and have fun at every turn.

Sleep Away Camps Worldwide

Global Leadership Adventures

Volunteer and travel experiences for teens featuring leadership, community service, immersive learning & adventure. At Global Leadership Adventures, we believe meaningful teen travel can be life-changing. Enroll in a GLA program and travel to Africa, Asia, Latin America or Europe. Summer and spring break sessions are open for enrollment.

Rustic Pathways

Rustic Pathways is the leader in providing superior quality international community service, education, and adventure programs for students. We offer one to three- week spring break and summer experiences, Gap Year programs, and custom group trips in 18 different countries. Each program is carefully designed to help students make meaning of their travel experiences, identify interests and passions, gain confidence, and grow as individuals. Across the globe, we employ local staff and foster lasting relationships with the communities in which we work, enabling our students to have immersive and authentic travel and service experiences. Locations include: Australia, Cambodia, China, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominican Republic, The Fiji Islands, Laos, Mongolia, Morocco, Myanmar, Peru, Tanzania, Thailand, United States, Vietnam.

Travel For Teens

900 West Valley Road, Wayne, CA 19087

TFT has revolutionized teen travel by creating fun and authentic programs that combine experiential learning with cultural immersion. Teens love our programs because we focus on “doing” and not just seeing. Every program uses a hands-on approach to discover what it means to live like a local in each place that we visit. 2019 Program Guide – https://www.travelforteens.com/2019-program-guide/

Sleep Away Camps Near Me

(clockwise from the top) Catalina Island Camp, Amplify Sleep Away Camp, iD Tech, Pali Adventures, Mountain Meadows

Disclaimer: MomsLA has made every effort to confirm the information in this article; however, things can often change. Therefore, MomsLA makes no representations or warranties about the accuracy of the information published here. MomsLA strongly urges you to confirm any event details, like date, time, location, and admission, with the third party hosting the event. You assume the sole risk of relying on any of the information in our list. MomsLA is in no way responsible for any injuries or damages you sustain while attending any third party event posted on our website. Please read our Terms of Use which you have agreed to based on your continued use of this website. Some events have paid to be listed on MomsLA.

Sleepaway Summer Camps for Houston Kids | MommyPoppins

If there’s one thing I remember distinctly about my childhood summers, it’s summer camp. Sleepaway camps are great for fostering independence in children, who will leave with lifelong memories and hopefully at least summer-long skills. Houston families have a lot of options for sleepaway summer camps where kids can stay overnight, and most of these are just an hour or two away from the city.

We rounded up a bunch of sleepaway summer camps that are all about two hours or less from the Houston area. Most of the camps offer week-long stays for campers, with a couple offering shorter or longer stints as well. All of them promise to give your kids a hefty dose of fun and memories to last a lifetime. And for more summer and vacation camp ideas, check out our comprehensive camp guide and full directory of camp listings.

2200 South Washington Ave.
936-328-3200
Ages: First-12th grade
What to expect: Camp Cho-Yeh, which comes from the Alabama-Coushatta Indian language and means “land of tall pines,” is a Christian-based camp and encourages campers to develop a deeper relationship with God. Kids participate in lots of fun activities, such as mountain biking across more than 700 acres of scenic land and participating in challenging ropes courses. Prospective campers can choose from one- and two-week camp sessions, depending on age. Camp Cho-Yeh also offers day camp options. Complete program information for the different camp sessions can be found here. 

979-968-1657
Ages: K-12th grade (age requirements vary based on the type of overnight camp)
What to expect: There are three different camp options to choose from when attending Girl Scouts of San Jacinto Summer Camp: Camp Agnes Arnold, Camp Casa Mare and Camp Misty Meadows. At Camp Agnes Arnold in Conroe, the main attraction is Shadow Lake, and many of the activities offered are water-based, such as canoeing and fishing. Camp Misty Meadows, also in Conroe, takes a different tack by focusing on horseback riding. The camp is housed at The Robert and Janice McNair Equestrian Center and boasts four riding arenas and 40 horses just waiting for eager campers. Lastly, Camp Casa Mare takes campers to Galveston Bay, where girls get to take advantage of all the ocean has to offer through water activities like sailing and scuba diving.  

936-594-4446
Ages: K-12th grade
What to expect: Campers, get ready for a week of action-packed fun full of large group games, worship at the outdoor chapel on the river, and small groups to connect more fully with God and other campers. Camp activities and schedules are created in a way that insures that campers will experience both challenges and success, helping them gain confidence and skills, conquer their fears, and create lasting friendships while growing their relationship with God. More information about the different levels of camp offered can be found here. 

Photo courtesy of Camp Cullen/YMCA

460 Cullen Loop
936-594-2274
Ages: 7-17
What to expect: The focus at Camp Cullen is on camper belonging, achievement and choice. This isn’t a one-size-fits-all type of summer camp, but instead is designed for kids who have different personalities, interests and backgrounds. Campers get to pick from a variety of activities, including canoeing, zip-lining, geology, pottery and much more. The diverse staff is highly trained, giving parents the peace of mind that their kids are in good hands, and many of the counselors grew up attending Camp Cullen themselves. The YMCA offers several open houses for parents and prospective campers to learn more about Camp Cullen. Financial assistance is available to those in need. You can find more information here. 

131 Frontier Camp Road
936-544-3206
Ages: 7-17
What to expect: Set in the heart of East Texas, Frontier Camp aims to challenge campers both spiritually and recreationally during their time spent at camp. Camps are broken up into Junior Weeks for kids ages 7-12 and Teen Weeks for teens ages 13-17. There are also specific weeks set aside for homeschooled children to attend both Junior and Teen weeks that are staffed with many homeschool graduates. Both Junior and Teen Weeks are packed with a mix of both traditional summer camp activities like horseback riding and newer activities like wakeboarding or water skiing. Full pricing and date information can be found here. 

RELATED: Houston Area Music and Theater Camps

Photo courtesy of Pine Cove Christian Camp

1123 Creekwood Lane
979-733-0777
Ages: Second-12th grade
What to expect: Pine Cove Christian Camp has been welcoming campers for over 50 years and routinely boasts upwards of 30,000 campers each summer. Campers attending enjoy a range of activities, from horseback riding to zip-lining, giant pools and crazy skits put on by camp counselors, all in a Christ-centered environment. Spots at Pine Cove fill up quickly; those interested in attending can learn more and register here. 

611 Virgie Community
281-356-3441
Ages: 7-15
What to expect: Pinebrook Farms welcomes children of all experience levels to attend Summer Horsemanship Camp, from those just beginning their journey with horses to those who have been competing in shows for years. Through daily riding lessons, trail rides, safe horsemanship instruction and horse shows, children learn all the ins and outs of horsemanship during their stay at camp and will leave feeling confident in their horsemanship abilities. All dates, rates and other information can be found here. 

RELATED: 11 Science Summer Camps for Houston Kids

Photo courtesy of Camp Lone Star

2016 Camp Lone Star Road
979-968-1657
Ages: 5-18
What to expect: Campers can expect to participate in basic camp activities such as archery, swimming, and hiking during their stay, while making new friends and strengthening their relationship with Christ. Camp Lone Star guarantees a stay that is action-packed with fun activities, Bible Study sessions, fostering an intentional and faith-filled relationship with God, and more. Interested parents can find all available registration dates and fees here. 

723 Olympia Drive
936-594-2541
Ages: 6-16
What to expect: For over 45 years Camp Olympia has been dedicated to giving campers a memorable summer camp experience. With the promise that no two days at camp are the same, days are packed with fun activities that are specific to each camper’s interest and nights feature special programs ranging from cookouts to carnivals. Week-long introductory camp sessions are offered for new campers who fall in the 6- to 9-years-old age range. Starting at age 7, campers can choose from two- to three-week camp sessions. More information on dates and pricing can be found here. 

Photo courtesy of Camp Allen 

18800 FM 362
936-825-7175
Ages: 8-18
What to expect: Camp Allen opens its’ doors to over 2,000 campers annually to help them experience God through fun, challenging and inspirational activities. From archery to nature hikes to environmental education and more, there is no shortage of opportunities to tackle both your favorite and new activities at this summer camp. It is the hope of the session leaders and staff that when campers leave their lives are changed by the growth experienced and relationships created at Camp. More information on the summer camp sessions can be found here. 

7509 Broadway
409-572-2560
Ages:10-17
What to expect: Aaarrghhh you ready to embark on an adventure and tackle the open seas? Sea Star Base Galveston Summer Camp campers will get up close and personal with nature through kayaking, paddle sports, intro to S.C.U.B.A., fishing, oceanography, small boat and keelboat sailing, water safety skills, and more activities that foster teamwork and communication, get kids active, and provide education and fun in the water. Learn more about pricing, dates, and what Sea Star offers here. 

This post originally published in March 2017 and has been updated periodically since.

Overnight Summer Camp Options 2021 :: Completely Kids Richmond

FEATURED CAMPS:

Camp Motorsport
8144 Mt. Laurel Rd. Clover, Virginia, 24534 Phone: 888.836.1212
Over 20 miles of off-road track! Is your child looking for a MOTORSPORT packed summer? Extreme racers, beginner through expert alike, learn the finer points of driving technique from qualified instructors on both our racing go-karts and off-road buggies. In addition to gaining valuable seat time, Camp Motorsport offers all the fun summer camp activities campers expect, including a private lake with a giant BLOB and inflatable obstacle course, swimming, canoeing, and gaga ball, to name a few. This ACA Accredited, challenge-by-choice camp is full of adventure. Camp Motorsport is the premier residential summer camp that focuses on motorsport, STEM, and outdoor adventure for children ages 9-17. Over 60 elective and core activities! Sign up for one of six sessions ranging from 1-week to 2-weeks and put some speed into your summer! Located in Clover, Virginia, on 406 acres of rolling hills, Camp Motorsport is the perfect place to unplug and connect with friends, nature, and ADVENTURE!

AstroCamp Virginia
8144 Mt. Laurel Rd. Clover, Virginia, 24534 Phone: 888.836.1212
Launch your own custom-made rocket at AstroCamp! Campers come each summer to make memories, have fun, and get hands-on science and astronomy training while participating in a variety of 60+ summer activities! Whether it’s building and launching rockets or crashing a cosmic lander, campers are surrounded with experiential adventure. AstroCamp offers a private lake with a giant BLOB and inflatable obstacle course, swimming, canoeing, and gaga ball, to name a few. At this ACA Accredited, challenge-by-choice summer camp, every camper is supported to try new activities. AstroCamp is the premier residential summer camp that focuses on STEM and outdoor adventure for children ages 8-17. Sign up for one of six sessions ranging from 1-week to 2-weeks and experience the summer of a lifetime! Located in Clover, Virginia, on 406 acres of rolling hills, AstroCamp is the perfect place to unplug and connect with friends, nature, and ADVENTURE!

Camp CHOP
8144 Mt. Laurel Rd. Clover, Virginia, 24534 Phone: 888.836.1212
Smells delicious… What are you waiting for? This cooking summer camp provides a fun and dynamic hands-on educational experience for young chefs passionate about the culinary arts. Camp Chop offers 60+ summer camp activities and a state-of-the-art teaching kitchen for aspiring chefs to learn the basics of cooking, baking, and kitchen safety. Through exciting and original programming, campers will make lifelong friendships and summer memories they will never forget. This ACA Accredited, challenge-by-choice camp is full of adventure. Camp CHOP is the premier residential summer camp that focuses on culinary arts and outdoor adventure for children ages 10-17. Sign up for one of six sessions ranging from 1-week to 2-weeks and experience the summer of a lifetime! Located in Clover, Virginia, on 406 acres of rolling hills, Camp CHOP is the perfect place to unplug and connect with friends, nature, and ADVENTURE!

TRADITIONAL CAMPS:

Camp Alleghany– Girls Only
Located in West Virginia’s Allegany Mountains  Phone: 877.446.9475
Founded in 1922.  This camp offers a one week mini camp, three-week summer programs for girls 7-16, and a week of family camp.  Facilities include archery, drama canoeing, arts and crafts, swimming, and tennis.

Camp Willow Run
Lake Gaston in northeastern North Carolina  Phone: 252-586-4665
The CWR summer program is available to rising 6th grade through 12th grade students, and the Camp Willow Springs summer program is available to rising 3rd grade through 6th grade students. A co-ed interdenominational Christian camp founded in 1968. The camp is built on a unique railroad theme using actual boxcars that have been converted into heated and air-conditioned dormitories. An authentic 1911 steam engine and caboose complete the train.

Camp Hidden Meadows
Located in West Virginia’s Allegany Mountains Phone: 800.600.4752
One to four-week sessions for boys and girls ages 6-16.  Facilities offer horseback riding, arts, sailing, caving, white water rafting, canoeing, indoor  and outdoor climbing walls/towers, mountain biking, hiking, fishing, gardening, high ropes course, swimming, zip line, sports and more!  Accredited by the American Camp Association.

Camp Horizons
Harrisonburg, VA Phone: 540.896.7600
One and two-week sessions for boys and girls ages 6-16.  Facilities offer swimming, visual and performing arts, sports, ropes courses, horseback, nature and more.  Adventure and Equestrian specialty camps offered.  Accredited by the American Camp Association.

Camp Rim Rock – Girls Only
Located in West Virginia  Phone: 347.746.7625
Celebrating more than 67 years!  This camp offers one week mini camps, two-week sessions, and 4 week sessions for girls ages 6-15. Facilities include horseback rising, sports, performing arts, fine arts and crafts, swimming, kayaking, tubing, hiking, cookouts and campfires too.  Accredited by the American Camp Association.

Camp Tall Timbers
Located in the Blue Ridge Mountains of West Virginia Phone: 304.856.3722
More than a 45 year history.  Two and three-week sessions for boys and girls ages 7 to 16.  Facilities offer swim, ride horses, water-ski, tennis, and much more!  Accredited by the American Camp Association.

Camp Twin Creeks
Located in West Virginia’s Allegany Mountains Phone: 800.451.8806
More than a 60 year history. Two-week and four-week sessions for boys and girls ages 7-16.  Facilities offer Soccer, Canoeing, Arts and Crafts, Low Ropes Course, Tennis, Sailing, Dance, Mountain Biking, Baseball, Swim Instruction, Rocketry, Archery, Basketball, Water Polo, Woodworking, Fishing, Volleyball, General Swim, Theatre (Games, Technical, Musical), High Ropes Course, Street Hockey, Roller Hockey, Field Hockey.

YMCA Camp Silver Beach
Jamesville, VA Chesapeake Bay Beachfront Phone: 877.231.2012
One-week session for boys and girls ages 8-16.  Facilities include amphitheater, swimming pools with slides, skate parks with obstacle course, tennis/basketball courts, sailboats, kayaks, motor boats, archery. rifle range and more.

Camp Skimino
Located in Williamsburg, VA  Phone: 757-547-4405
One-week sessions for girls in grades 1-12. Facilities offer canoeing, archery, swimming pool, ropes courses, art, campfires and weekly themed activities.    They offer both day camp and overnight camps.  Accredited by the American Camp Association.

Camp Greenbrier
100 Camp Greenbrier Drive, Alderson, WV 24910  Phone: 304. 445.7168
A Tradition of Fun Since 1898, Camp Greenbrier is located in the Alleghany Mountains along the beautiful Greenbrier River, about 30 minutes from the world famous Greenbrier Resort. Boys 7 to 15 years old take part in the traditional camp program, while those who are 16 or 17, or who have completed the 10th grade, take part in the Leadership Academy. It is a wonderful overnight camp where boys have great fun, develop self-confidence, and make lifelong friends! Operated and owned by the same family for three generations – Come Join the Fun!

Camp Friendship
573 Friendship Way, Palmyra VA 22963  Phone: 434.589.8950
Camp Friendship is a traditional sleep-away camp for children ages 7-16. With over 35 activities to choose from, campers are free to explore, discover, and grow in a safe and accepting environment. Family owned since 1966, Camp Friendship welcomes campers and staff from all over the world!

iD Tech Camps: Code, Game, Create!
Tech camps for ages 7-19.  Phone: 1-888-709-8324   
More details soon.

OUTDOOR, ADVENTURE, CLIMBING, KAYAKING CAMPS:

Passages Adventure Camp
11421 Polo Circle, Midlothian, VA 23113  Phone:804.897.8283×310
Passages Adventure Camps teach boys and girls the fun of outdoor adventure which includes kayaking, rock climbing, rappelling, wilderness survival skills, zip-lining, mountain biking, and stand-up paddle boarding. One Week Sessions run through the summer.  Camps for 5-16.  Overnight Camps for 11-17 year olds.

Virginia Outside & Fishing Adventures
Day and overnight mountain bike, kayak touring, and fishing camps for boys and girls ages 6 and up.

Fox Pointe Farm
5205 Wildlife Ridge Trail Quinton, VA 23141  Phone: 804. 263.5191
Fox Pointe Farm LLC located in Quinton VA has been offering quality equestrian day and overnight camps since 2005. 2021 details will be available soon.

COMPUTER CAMP:

iD Tech Camps: Code, Game, Create!
Tech camps for ages 7-19.  Phone: 1-888-709-8324   
More details soon.

Sleepaway and Overnight Summer Camps in California

2021 Now Open!

Covid Questions

Sleepaway and Overnight Summer Camps in California

Fun, friends and wilderness adventures await you at this overnight summer camp in California’s high Sierra mountains. Located along the peaceful headwaters of the North Yuba River near many different lakes and miles and miles of hiking, biking and horse trails in the splendid Tahoe National Forest, the Camp is a springboard for boys and girls aged 8 to 17 to meet new friends from around the world, try activities that are new to them, and grow their social skills, self-confidence, independence, and appreciation of nature. Recommended by Outside Magazine and The LA Times. Discover what we hope to be the best summer camp in California. See for yourself in this video

No Wi-Fi. Better Connections

We help your boys and girls grow better connections with people, better connections with nature, and better connections with their potential by helping them take another step toward a happy, healthy adulthood through development of critical life skills. Watch the video below to learn more.

Learn why Outside Magazine named Shaffer’s High Sierra Summer Camp as one of its 5 favorite camps in the U.S, and why the Los Angeles Times recommended the camp as one of 14 adventure travel destinations (and only one of two camps)!

Make your risk-free reservation today!

If your plans change, you can get a full refund less a cancellation fee before May 1st. And if you enroll after May 1st, you may still cancel and receive a refund less a cancellation fee if you notify the Camp within 7 days of your enrollment or the start of your child’s session, whichever comes first.

Make a reservation

Summer Camp Activities

Enjoy tons of great camp activities! In addition to the sleep away summer camp classics every one loves, such as archery, arts and crafts, camp fire and evening program, performing arts, swimming (pool and lake), and volleyball, Shaffer’s High Sierra Summer Camp offers exciting wilderness adventure activities including backpacking and hiking (and see our separate explorer program for a more in-depth experience), challenge ropes course, disc golf, gold panning, horseback riding, lake kayaking, mountain biking, mountain boarding, paddle boarding, rock climbing, shelter building, whitewater rafting, and more!

And if your camper can’t get enough mountain biking, or loves rock climbing, or wants to add backpacking to their summer camp experience, check out our specialized program tracks in mountain biking, rock climbing, and outdoor living skills!

Plus, if your camper has attended our camp for at least one summer previously, is at least 14 years old, and is coming for a session of two weeks or longer, your camper is eligible for our leadership training program.  We explore what it means to be a leader and your child will be given the opportunity to help our staff facilitate a program activity of his/her choosing and to mentor a younger bunk group!

But with a limited enrollment of only 90 campers, sessions fill rapidly. So make your reservation today!

Explorer Program

The Explorer Program is a one-week stand-alone summer camp program in which participants plan (with staff guidance) and implement their own unique trip to explore the marvels of the Tahoe National Forest, from mountains to valleys and waterfalls to lakes.

Learn more…

Stanford University Graduate School of Education Research Uncovers Key Life Benefits Provided by Summer Camp

Shaffer’s High Sierra Camp along with 5 other summer camps participated in a research study conducted by Stanford University’s Graduate School of Education. We wanted to see if a legitimate research study would confirm what we as summer camp directors knew intuitively — that summer camp benefits kids so much more than simply providing a fun time. Watch this engaging video to see what Stanford learned.

Listen to what noted author and child psychologist Madeline Levine has to say about the benefits of summer camp.

Watch this short video of best-selling author and child psychologist Madeline Levine discussing the true value of summer camp.

Get More Info

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Note: In each email you receive, there will be a link to unsubscribe, which guarantees the permanent removal of your email address from the mailing lists. Your privacy is important to us.

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Sleepaway Summer Camps – Best Camps for Kids

Best Sleepaway Summer Camps for Kids Near You!

School is out, and the heat is on. Your children are anxious for outdoor action and cooling off in the pool. Summer has arrived, and camp season is here!

Sleepaway camps offer a unique summer experience that brings children together, encouraging independence and boosting self-esteem at the same time. Your child will love being a part of the exhilarating group experiences, with fun activities designed both for excitement and individual growth.

Yet there’s no such thing as a one-size-fits-all sleepaway camp!

Want to give your children the summer of their life, but not sure where to find it? That’s where we come in. Our Camp Expert advisors will guide you to the best sleep away summer camps for your family. We’ll get to know your child’s needs, and discuss your ideal location, dates and length of time, and budget. Once you zone in on a few specific camps, we can help arrange tours for you.

Since 1987, we’ve been going to camp on your behalf. We’ve visited and evaluated over 1,000 sleep away programs worldwide, carefully taking note of all the details. Our eyes focus on much more than just the ground facilities. We also critique the philosophy of each camp, while observing the staff and campers in real time. Each and every summer, we make on-site visits and update our directory – so you get accurate, up-to-date info. All of our free advisory services are provided with no obligation nor cost.

Sleep Away Summer Programs in Your Location

In order to be current and up to date with the most accurate information, we:

*Tour facilities
*Interview directors and staff
*Assess program philosophy
*Observe children and teens in action

You benefit from our years of experience and our independent, first hand observations.

While camp season comes to a close at the end of summer, our dedication to your child’s experience goes on. We follow up with all of our sleep away campers to confirm that they had a winning summer experience. Your feedback is important to us and our future clients.

Our advisors work with you every step of the way.

Thousands of children have already been enrolled successfully in summer sleep away programs that we recommended. What are you waiting for? Trust our professional consultants to steer you towards the best sleepaway camp options for your child!

For more information, check out our Overnight Camp FAQ page or click this link to request information.

You might also be interested in traditional camps!

For free recommendations, complete the form below!

Our Summer Camp Advisors Work With You
Every Step Of The Way

Your Summer Planning Starts Here.
Our advice and information is always FREE.
We have assisted 1,000’s of families for over 30 years.

Overnight Camp | Camp Hazen YMCA

Summer 2022

We can’t believe that we’re thinking about summer 2022 already!   

NEW CAMPER Registration opens on October 1st. You can register here.  

We love to talk about camp, feel free to call our office at (860) 526 9529 anytime.

Many thanks,

The Hazen Staff

We’re more than just a camp

Camp Hazen is a child-centered community.  We focus on each individual and teach skills that kids will use forever. Whether it’s learning a new activity, making friends or becoming more resilient, independent and understanding,we know that campers return home inspired to live in a way that will make them proud.

We’re a place where people connect and truly belong

There is no better feeling than that of coming home from camp having had the experience of a lifetime.  Year after year campers leave Camp Hazen having found their best friends.  And each summer, the joy of reuniting with counselors and old friends is one of life’s greatest rewards.  Kids simply love Camp Hazen, and whether it is their first time or they are a lifelong Hazenite, campers find that they belong here more than any other place in the world.

Overnight Camp: The Great Hazen Tradition

Camp Hazen has more than 90 years of making summers memorable for kids.  One of the reasons for this long-term success is the firm belief in maintaining the traditions and values that make campers want to come back year after year.  Campfires, ceremonies, singing, camping out under the stars, small cabin groups and a family-like community are as important as helping kids develop their character and confidence. 

Take a look a the First Time Campers page for more great information on what the Overnight Camp is all about.

Register Online

Feel free to call our office if you have any questions (860) 526-9529

View our Brochure:

Available Dates

2022 Session A – The Hazen Series

Entering Grades 3rd-10th
 

June 26, 2022 to July 8, 2022

2022 Session B – The Hazen Bowl

Entering Grades 3rd-10th

July 10, 2022 to July 22, 2022

2022 Session C – The Olympics

Entering Grades 3rd-10th

July 24, 2022 to August 5, 2022

2022 Session D – The World Cup

Entering Grades 3rd-10th

August 7, 2022 to August 19, 2022

2022 Sampler 3

Entering Grades 2nd-8th

August 21, 2022 to August 26, 2022

Rates

2022 Two Week Sessions – A, B, C, D

Tier 1       Tier 2       Tier 3       Tier 4

$2220       $2070      $1920    Varied

2022 One Week Session – Sampler 3

Tier 1       Tier 2       Tier 3       Tier 4

$1195       $1120         $1045       Varied

Tier Pricing Program

Realizing that families have differing abilities to pay, Camp Hazen YMCA has instituted a voluntary 4-tier pricing program for our Summer Overnight Camp and Day Camp programs. Please take a moment to look at the tier descriptions and choose the tier that is most suitable for your family. All children will have the same experience no matter which tier a family is able to pay. The tier selected by a family will be kept confidential.

Tier 1

is based on the full cost of campers participating in the selected programs.  If you are able to pay this amount, please do so.  Thank you.

Tier 2

is a partially subsidized rate that will enable families that just can’t afford the full cost of the camp program.  Please, choose this rate if your family has the need to receive a subsidized rate.

Tier 3

is a more heavily subsidized rate for families whose children would not be able to attend camp otherwise.  If you can not afford either of the higher rates, please pay this amount.

Tier 4

is a variable rate for families whose financial assistance need is greater than the subsidized rates above.  We provide more significant financial assistance to families that demonstrate need through our Financial Assistance Program.  If you need additional assistance, please choose this option and complete a Financial Assistance application.  To apply for Financial Assistance, you’ll need to complete our Inquiry Form.  Once you have done so, you’ll be able to access your CampInTouch Account, under Forms & Documents you will see the Financial Assistance Form.  If you have any questions, just give us a call at (860) 526-9529.

Camps overwhelmed with interest this summer, a stark change from last year

This year, Camp Augusta, an overnight camp in Nevada City, California, has more than 500 campers on its waitlist — the longest the list has been in two decades. Parents who a couple months ago were inquiring about how often equipment will be sanitized now are more interested in how Augusta plans to make camp feel as normal as possible, the director, Randy Grayson, said.

And campers have made clear what they are hoping for: a summer free from worries about the coronavirus pandemic.

“Nearly all of them mention the impact of Covid on their lives and how they’re looking forward to the opposite of it,” Grayson said. “They mention how they’re excited for the summer and to be with their friends, having fun outside, and effectively, Covid not existing in their lives.”

To make that happen, Camp Augusta, which did not operate last summer due to restrictions imposed by the state, is requiring all counselors to get Covid-19 vaccinations. Campers will be tested for Covid-19 before they arrive, upon arrival and early on in their stay. Parents will not be permitted to come for a visitors’ day.

Similar measures are being instituted at camps across the country, which are finding that as the pandemic nears its second summer, there is overwhelming interest from prospective families, a stark change from last year.

Emboldened by lessons learned from the smattering of camps that operated last summer and from schools that opened in-person over the past year, camp directors say they are able to offer clear-cut plans for keeping campers safe — at a time when cooped-up kids, and their burned-out parents, are more eager than ever for a change in routine.

Many parents were too nervous to send their children to camp last year and some states prohibited camps from opening at all, resulting in only about 18 percent of overnight camps operational in 2020, according to the American Camp Association. About 60 percent of day camps were open.

But for this summer, camp directors from Connecticut to California told NBC News that not only are they open, they also have booming waitlists.

At Camp Augusta, the waitlist is more than double what it has ever been in Grayson’s 19 years as director there. He believes as parents learned more about how rare outdoor transmission of Covid-19 is, they flocked to sign their kids up for camp. A year of remote learning has likely also pushed parents — and children — to their breaking points, he said.

“Children need this experience,” Grayson said. “Their life is school. Yes, they need reading, writing and arithmetic and all that good stuff, but the social element is the wonder of childhood and what people remember.”

Each year, campers write letters to Camp Augusta staff sharing what they are most excited to do once summer arrives, Grayson said. The pandemic’s effect plays an outsize role in this year’s letters.

“It’s so similar what they’re saying: I get to hug my friend, I get to play with them, to see their eyes,” he said. “Because you can’t really make out the nuances in someone’s eyes through a screen.”

The safety measures that will be in place

Last summer offers successes as well as cautionary tales.

At a Georgia overnight camp that did not require campers to wear masks, 260 children and staff were infected with the coronavirus.

Others were able to operate safely. North Star Camp for Boys, an overnight camp in Hayward, Wisconsin, hosted campers for seven weeks without a single case of the coronavirus.

“You do everything you can to keep Covid out, and you plan as if it’s coming anyway.”

“You do everything you can to keep Covid out, and you plan as if it’s coming anyway,” said Andy Shlensky, the director of North Star and owner and managing partner of The Road Less Traveled, a community service and adventure travel company for teens.

His camp made a number of changes, such as moving meals from the indoor dining hall to picnic tables outside; same with its arts and crafts shop, one of the only other parts of camp besides cabins previously indoors.

Kids play at North Star Camp for Boys in Wisconsin.Rachel Beltzman / Rachel B. Photo Studio

Dr. Julie Rothschild, an emergency medicine physician in Chicago, has sent her two sons to North Star for years and said they enjoyed themselves as much as ever last year.

“They had the privilege of having an almost normal summer,” she said.

There are a slew of safety guidelines written for camps on the state and local level, as well as detailed federal safety recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The CDC’s camp guidance, released in April, encourages outdoor activities, mask-wearing and spacing out campers whenever possible, mitigation measures that proved successful last year.

“This year, we also have vaccines. It’s another layer of protection. And testing is more widely available in many situations,” said Tom Rosenberg, president and CEO of the American Camp Association, which has its own field guide created jointly with the YMCA of the USA for safely operating camps.

Campers should be kept in cohorts, or small groups, with 3 feet between kids, the CDC says, unless they are eating, drinking or otherwise unmasked, in which case there should be 6 feet between them. Overnight camps should request that campers quarantine for two weeks prior to arrival. The guidance also recommends strongly encouraging all counselors and staff to be vaccinated.

The CDC calls for campers 2 and older to wear masks even when outside, which Dr. Anthony Fauci, the nation’s top infectious diseases doctor, acknowledged Wednesday to TODAY was “a bit strict, a bit stringent.” He said he anticipated the CDC would be “continually re-evaluating that for its practicality.”

Dr. Sara Bode, one of the authors of the American Academy of Pediatrics’ camp guidance and the incoming chair of the Council on School Health, suggested parents ask camps about their safety protocols ahead of time, including how they plan to respond if anyone displays potential symptoms of Covid-19.

And while campers under the age of 12 will not likely have the option to be vaccinated in time for summer, Bode said with other strategies in place, that should not be a source of concern.

Both day and overnight camps have their own safety risks and benefits, she added.

“I don’t think one is more safe than the other,” she said. For overnight camps, campers are more likely to have close contact with their cabinmates, but with testing and quarantining before camp starts, they can help reduce the risk of Covid-19 entering camp.

“A lot of camps are going to maximize outdoor time, thankfully.”

In day camps, meanwhile, there is likely less prolonged proximity to other campers, Bode said, but unlike the bubble that is created in an overnight setting, campers at day camp may be mingling with other people outside of camp.

“I think you can do that safely, just like we did in school settings,” she said. “And a lot of camps are going to maximize outdoor time, thankfully.”

Challenges that camps face

Getting ready for the 2021 summer season has not been without challenges.

Many camps have had to raise their tuition prices to account for extra costs incurred by new safety protocols and to make up for a lost summer last year. At Geneva Glen Camp, an overnight camp for kids ages 6 to 16 in Indian Hills, Colorado, the price went up about 8 percent this year, said Geneva Glen’s director, Casey Klein.

“I estimate we will spend $35,000 to $40,000 on the extra stuff. For a not-for-profit, that’s a lot of money,” Klein, who is also president of the Colorado Camps Network, said.

Campers at Geneva Glen Camp hike to spend a night under the stars in 2019.Geneva Glen Camp

Geneva Glen is dedicated to being equitable nonetheless, Klein said. Each year, the camp gives about 80 scholarships to families who could not otherwise afford to send their children, and this year is no exception.

Pediatricians encourage efforts to give all children the opportunity to go to camp, not just those who have the means to enroll. Some places, such as New York City, are offering free summer programs for kindergarten through eighth graders; in Connecticut, Gov. Ned Lamont has proposed up to $11 million in funds to expand access to summer enrichment activities.

Finding counselors has also proven difficult for some camps. Many rely on the J-1 summer visa program that enables foreign students to come to the United States as camp counselors, and travel bans and embassy backlogs have posed a problem.

Others, such as Winding Trails Summer Day Camp in Farmington, Connecticut, have found that prospective counselors are just now solidifying their plans for the summer, from college internships to family vacations, said Keith Garbart, Winding Trails’ camp director. At Camp Augusta, the California overnight camp, requiring vaccinations among counselors has turned off some applicants, director Grayson said. (Many other camps are encouraging, but not requiring, counselors to be vaccinated.)

Campers at Winding Trails Summer Day Camp in 2019. For this summer, Winding Trails has about 500 campers on its waitlist.Courtesy of Winding Trails Summery Day Camp

But making camp fun while adhering to Covid-19 protocols is not one of the obstacles camp directors are worried about. Winding Trails operated last summer and found some unexpected social benefits to incorporating new safety guidelines.

“I think it was one of our best summers ever, because campers got to connect with smaller groups and their counselors,” Garbart said. “They were their own little family unit.”

That kind of connection is what Misty Gregg, an internal auditor in Fremont, California, is hoping for her children. Her son and daughter did not go last summer, and this year, they will go to overnight camps. Both have been doing remote schooling since March 2020, and her son, Torin, 12, has been holed up in his room most of the time, between virtual classes and playing Minecraft.

Misty Gregg’s son, Torin, and daughter, Amira, did not get to go to summer camp last year.Misty Gregg

“I just want him to want to go outside more,” she said. “Camp has a no-electronics policy. I hope he would come home and realize that ‘I don’t have to do this every day. I can go out and play.’”

Grayson hopes his camp will offer kids a mental break from the pandemic, as well as a safe place to discuss how it has affected them.

“There is no element of childhood that hasn’t been touched by this,” he said. “There’s no chance that Covid is not going to be something that they’re wanting to process.”

90,000 Top-5 children’s science camps in Moscow – Playbill

Holidays in “Living Systems”

bioexperimentanium.ru

Museum of Man “Living Systems” opens a scientific camp. Four shifts lasting 5 days in different directions: “PROfeelings / 5 days – 5 senses”, “PROecology / ECOsmena”, “PROmedicine”, “Natural selection”. Fascinating science classes, creative workshops, outdoor walks, interactive games, three meals a day await children.In addition, the museum invites everyone to special thematic excursions, entertaining quests and spectacular science shows. Sightseeing tours can be visited free of charge throughout the summer.
Where: Museum of Man “Living Systems”
When: from 3 to 28 July
Age: 6 to 12 years old
Price: 11 300 rub. per shift, 2500 p. per day
More details on the link.

InnoCamp Science Summer Camp in Sokolniki Park

park-inno.ru

Science Camp InnoCamp promises to grow a real master or professor in one summer.In total, it has 12 shifts in directions: molecular cuisine, intergalactic professions, robotics, invention, mental arithmetic and others. After the end of the shift, each student receives a degree, which is confirmed by this certificate and an honorary badge. Children, together with the counselor, will walk a lot in the fresh air, engage in design work, actively spend time at games and watch cartoons.
Where: “House of Children’s Art”, Mitkovsky pr., 5, bldg. 1
When: from June 10 to August 30
Age: 6 to 12 years old
Price: 15 500 r.per shift (5 days), 3800 p. per day
More details on the link.

Entertaining holidays in Experimentanium

bioexperimentanium.ru

The Experimentanium Summer Camp consists of 12 shifts, each of which is dedicated to a different direction. Chemistry experiments, stories of great inventors, answers to questions: why sweets are so tasty and what is alternative energy are waiting for children. During the day, children will be engaged in two themed master classes, then go to lunch, then go for a walk, watch a show and a film.
Where: Leningradsky Prospect, 80, bldg. 11
When: from June 3 to August 30
Age: 6 to 12 years old
Price: 13 750 r. per shift, 3200 p. per day
More details on the link.

Summer at the computer academy “Shag”

msk.itstep.org

Computer Academy “Step” launches two-week summer shifts in the camp. Teachers and experienced counselors will teach children how to create their own computer game, work in photo and video laboratories, design a robot based on Lego and Arduino, and make an animation video.And for those who dream of blogging, the “Blogger School” will open, where they will tell you how to behave in front of the camera, shoot and edit a video.
Where: You can choose a suitable branch on the academy website
When: from June 10 to August 30
Age: 7-14 years
Price: 33,000 rubles. per month (full day), 19 900 p. per month (half day)
More details on the link.

Summer at Art Lab in the City Kids family center

citykids.msk.ru

The Art Lab Summer Camp at the City Kids Family Center is fun classes in subjects such as anatomy, chemistry, ecology, astronomy, botany, physics and others.Shifts are designed for preschoolers, but there are groups for kids from one to three years old. Children will conduct experiments and experiment, walk a lot in the fresh air, play and go through interesting quests. Every day, kids will have five meals a day and a nap.
Where: Garden them. Bauman, Staraya Basmannaya, 15/3
When: from June 3 to August 30
Age: 1 to 7 years
Price: 13,000 rubles. per shift (5 days)
More details on the link.

7 scientific and educational camps for children

Summer is a time of rest.First of all, the rest of the children from school. However, in recent years, the practice of organizing children’s leisure time shows that parents are increasingly choosing “learning with passion”. And today we bring to the attention of our readers a selection of children’s camps with a scientific and educational bias.

1. International Green School

The school is based in the village of Kosmach, Kosiv district, Ivano-Frankivsk region. Just the other day, the first session began at school (an analogue of the traditional camp shift), however, young lovers of scientific recreation still have time for the second race, which will take place from July 24 to August 6, 2016.The program of the scientific festival includes several sections “Biology”, “Paleontology”, “Mathematics”, “Astronomy”, “Ecology”. Also, during the summer holidays, children can master the course of playing the sopilka, take part in a radio journalism school and work in an ethnic workshop. For the youngest participants there is a “green kindergarten”.

2. Summer City Engineering Camp RG CITY CAMP

The camp is located in Kiev. Its program is designed for children from 10 years old.It is based on interactive trainings in robotics, programming, electronics, personality formation, presentation art, project management, time and task management, and public speaking. Thematically, the training program is divided into three modules “Home Electronics”, “Quest Room”, “Smart Communications”. Each module lasts a week, but the child can choose how many modules to master. As a bonus, the guys who attended the three modules will be able to assemble a working model of the “smart home” at the end of August and will receive a discount on further training at the Robot Good Academy.The nearest module “Quest Room” will be held from 11 to 15 July.

3. European Camp-2016

The camp is held at the initiative of the Congress of National Communities of Ukraine and is designed for children 11-17 years old. Location: boarding house “Slavsky”, Skolkovo district, Lviv region. It will run from 3 to 16 August. The European camp provides for the establishment of a dialogue between children from different parts of Ukraine, children from among internally displaced persons and their peers from Moldova and Georgia.The discussion is based on European traditions, European values, and the culture of European countries. Children can get to the camp by completing one of the creative tasks in the form of an essay on the topic “European life”, “European values”, “Famous personality in Europe”.

4. City Scientific Camp “Informative Time” of the Mathematical Studio 2 * 2

The camp is held in Dnipro and invites children aged 6-13 years. The camp is divided into several thematic shifts, each 10 days long.The Super Logic – Math Quest shift has recently started. There are still shifts ahead of “Discovery – travel” (July 18-29), “Applied Physics” (August 8-19). In addition to the thematic activities, the camp includes a visit to the pool, excursions to local museums, trips to the nearest villages with a bright ethnic component – Galushovka, Petrikivka, to an ostrich farm, master classes in a pastry shop and in the head office of the Kyivstar company.

5. Summer City Camp Tree House Camp

Another Kiev camp for schoolchildren aged 7-12 years.It is divided into 5 sessions of different themes. The organizers offer the participants of each shift interesting classes, trainings, master classes, business cases and excursions. Now the camp is having a session called “Modern Sherlock Holmes” aimed at learning English. From July 18 to July 27, the “Film Academy” session will take place, which will immerse children in the world of cinema. They will try themselves as a cameraman, director, actor, costume designer, screenwriter, producer.

As a result, the guys will create their own video product.From 1 to 13 August, the session “Little Einsteins” will take place, based on popular experiments from physics and chemistry. The shift participants will have an excursion to the Experimentarium. From 15 to 28 August the World Travel session will take place. This is a shift for young geographers. Children will be able to try themselves in the role of real tour guides.

6. Summer with “Merry Science”

Summer camps are designed for children aged 7-12 years old and are located in three locations at once – in the space of smart leisure “Merry Science” (St.Kiev, st. Solomiya Krushelnitskaya 7a), in the eco-school “Radosvit” (Schastlivoe village) and in the children’s center “Smartum” (Kiev, metro station Universitet, Nikolsko-Botanicheskaya str. 17-19, office 19). Among the shifts that are still awaiting young people of Kiev are “Eco-adventure”, “Treasures of the peoples”, “School of professions”, “Road to discoveries”, “Science and art”, “In the world of inventions”, “Chronicle of the Earth”.

7. JAMM – innovative educational camps for children and adolescents

These camps are designed for older children (13-17 years old).Places of camps – smt. Kozin and the village of Koncha-Zaspa. Particularly interesting are the shifts aimed at learning business English with native speakers (the next one will take place from 11 to 17 July), as well as IT (11-19 August). The programming camp program includes Web-design, iOS app development, Game Development, Computer Animation.

Have a good and informative rest for you and your children!

Valeria Lavrenko

What does the summer children’s camp look like today – Rossiyskaya Gazeta

About 8.5 million children, according to the Ministry of Education and Science, will rest this year in summer children’s camps.Many believe that the summer children’s camp is being reborn as a mass phenomenon.

However, a significant proportion of children – about 80 percent – will rest in day camps at schools. Only a little more than 5 percent of children can go to the usual summer camps – on the seas, lakes, rivers, in the mountains. The once familiar and widespread system of summer camps for children remains inaccessible. According to Rosstat, in 2005 there were about 52 thousand of them, by 2015 and even less – 45 thousand.In 2018, the trend reversed, 47.2 thousand camps were opened.

The reason for the slow growth in the number of camps is that this requires a substantial investment.

How does the heir of the pioneer camp live? What is the main headache of modern counselors – from the deep immersion of children in gadgets or from the need to protect them from too early sex? RG experts answer these and other critical questions.

At home among strangers

At the turn of the 90s, the pioneer camp was ridiculed as an imposed form of collective recreation, preference was given to everything individual.This fashion is outdated today. Both children and parents dream of camps (and not only because they want to take a break from their child.

Alexey Kasprzhak, ex-general director of Artek: The leader is not only a professional, but also a volunteer. Photo: Mikhail Tereshchenko / TASS

Vladimir Kudryavtsev, Doctor of Psychology: The motive is “to get rid of the child”, to hand him over to a summer country camp, like a storage room, because a city apartment needs repairs, etc.etc., – should not be decisive. The child should be sent to the camp not because we are cramped, bored, etc., but because it is useful for him to be there.

The main benefit of the summer camps for children who are being rehabilitated in the public mind is an excellent school for the socialization of a child.

After all, a family, a house – with all the advantages of home life – is a big, expanded “I”. School is also familiar people, your inner circle. But the collective in the summer camp is not exactly “strangers”, but, of course, people are “distant”.And you must enter into live communication with these distant people.

The camp teaches children human rapprochement, allows the child to express himself in a different way and to open up unexpectedly.

In the early 90s, a schoolchild was brought to me, in all the plots of the collective school life who was hammered like a mouse under a broom, and in the end turned into a noteworthy victim of bullying and mobbing. His mother brought him, we talked and together decided to send him to the pioneer camp.

The solution was 100 percent justified.There he got into a new team and began to build relationships with the guys from scratch. There were many interesting games in the camp, he became the best player, gained experience, brought some of the games to his classmates and soon turned from an outsider into a leader. This is a truly real socializing experience. And he was not just socialized, but also individualized, he found himself there, saw himself from an unusual side … It is the team that helps to find and develop your individuality.

Elizaveta Chernova, counselor of the “Ocean” center in Primorye: This work is a real vocation.Photo: Mikhail Tereshchenko / TASS

Elizaveta Chernova, leader of the “Ocean Squadron” squadron of the All-Russian Children’s Center “Ocean” in Primorye: The summer camp does not just socialize children. Our, for example, is busy with their psychological rehabilitation. Children are sent to “Ocean” after emergencies. Now, for example, we are expecting children who survived the flood in the Irkutsk region.

Children came to us and after the fires, some of them had their house burned down, some of them lost their parents… Such a child has shaky emotions, you need to be very careful with him … These children are closed, sometimes cry, sometimes they are silent … But, I think, it would be much more difficult for them if they did not get into the summer camp.

The counselor as the call of the soul

Summer camp can only become a “happy practice” for children when it is real. When his “adult part” is the director of the camp, the workers, and especially the counselors, are excellent teachers and good people. According to the Ministry of Education and Science, today there are over 97,000 counselors in the country.Most of them are students. That is, not professionals, but volunteers. So what is a counselor – a profession or a call of the soul?

Alexey Kasprzhak, ex-general director of Artek: I am fundamentally opposed to the opposition of volunteering and professionalism. In counseling, volunteering is the norm. For example, I am pleased to be a volunteer. And making money here, of course, is not the main thing. In the camp, although this is not a classical pedagogical practice, you can acquire those competencies that, most likely, you will not get in the classroom of the university.I think that everyone who is going to become a teacher must practice as a counselor. We are now nostalgic for the level of responsibility of the Soviet teacher in relation to children, but let’s not forget that they all went through the “school of counselors”, and this is responsibility for the child to the end.

Kudryavtsev: But people also need to be prepared for volunteering. Many take volunteer courses after graduating from university.

The pedagogical skill of counselors is not limited to competence or familiarity with the methods.Before him is a serious “challenge” – from scratch, in one shift (if you’re lucky, in two or three) to re-create the children’s team. Young people of the leader’s age themselves often cannot unite into a team. How to create a nursery? Of what? And not just create, but support it … Realizing that today the dosage of active participation in the life of children is very important and – this is fundamentally – “crushing” on them. Because pressure can destroy the best of what is created. And there is not every Makarenko there.

Alexey Kasprzhak, ex-general director of Artek: Yes, in fashionable, modern and popular camps today a child is always on an equal footing with an adult.In general, the modern educational situation does not imply a smart and a fool.

Elizaveta Chernova, counselor: I’ve been a counselor for four years. To put it loftyly, I became a counselor by the will of fate and spiritual preference. And if simply, my mother said: “Nimble? Grasping? Go to the counselors!”. And she was not mistaken. But first I went to study at the pedagogical. Because without special education it may be easier to be a counselor, but with it, it seems to me, it is more interesting and practical: knowledge gives confidence and methodology.You know which side to approach the child from.

Children should be treated like a school. This is a school of socialization full of games and freedom.

Are you a strict counselor?

Elizaveta Chernova: Well, I’m definitely not a teddy bear. At some point I can hug. But “carrot and stick” is about me. Not that I like to punish, but I think fair severity for a counselor is a necessary trait. So that the children do not sit on their necks. We have a different task here. Not to entertain and please, but to teach something useful for life.

A trip to a summer camp for children is a new acquaintance, meeting old friends and an opportunity to socialize. Photo: Evgenia Guseva / Komsomolskaya Pravda

Therefore, the role of “best friend” with whom a child can discuss even intimate problems is wrong. Here it is important not to cross the fine line between the positions of an older comrade and a shirt-guy. Another thing is that with any child, small or teenager, you need to talk like an adult.

Can you cope with the capital’s major, spoiled and boorish?

Liza Chernova: A spoiled “son” with a fancy gadget can suddenly turn out to be a good athlete. Or an actor. Or an artist … The main thing is to talk to him in time and to keep him busy. It’s not so difficult to create an environment for him where he will feel at ease.

Several years ago, advanced Moscow youth tried to make the figure of the leader fashionable. Musicians, writers and designers were invited to the Kamchatka camp as educators.

Alexey Kasprzhak, ex-general director of Artek: And little by little it is becoming fashionable. Stop thinking that young men and women who have nothing to do are becoming counselors. No, they do it deliberately, and counselor skills are important to them. In addition, being a counselor becomes prestigious from the point of view of a future career.

We, together with Headhunter, found out that the indication of leadership in “Artek” in his portfolio gives a person additional points when applying for a particular place.

Liza Chernova: I also think that this activity is absolutely in the style of the time.It is not for nothing that universities began to teach specifically to be a counselor. This is a profession where a person can fully realize himself, you can go headlong into it, and it should be made the main occupation of life.

What is your salary?

Liza Chernova: Normal (with a smile). But they go to counselors not because of money, but in order to make a passion for the profession dear to you. It is usually important for counselors to declare themselves, they are artistic and sociable. The work of the counselor is quite multifaceted.

Do not swim to Syamozero

The first place is still the problem of safety. After the tragedy in the Karelian Syamozero, when 14 children drowned due to the fault of adults, the camps began to be checked and closed due to violations of safety rules. How does the situation look now?

Nadezhda Perfilova, director of Moscow school No. 2098, deputy of the Moscow City Duma, author of the project “For a Safe Childhood”: the status of their counselors.The counselor must have a certificate or diploma of graduation from the counselor school. Moreover, parents have every right not to trust their child’s counselor if he is a college student and he is 15-16 years old.

We also remind everyone that instructors who take children on hikes must have a certificate of “instructor of youth tourism”.

According to the Federal State Statistics Service, in the first place of seasonal accidents with children are drowning, the second – falling out of windows and accidents in road accidents, the third – suicides of adolescents.

Armine Voronova, Researcher at the Psychological Institute of the Russian Academy of Education: When I bring these statistics to parents, I always say: “You must remember that you are not handing over your children to supervisors.” Unfortunately, adults have two extremes in relation to children’s recreation. The first is the craving for hypersocialization of children, when they are “handed over” to all three shifts and are often “forgotten” to visit the child even on “parental day”. The second is distrust of teachers. It got to the point that in Moscow the parents sued and fired the teacher for being… asked the student to erase from the blackboard not written by him.

Parents should have an attitude towards children’s rest as a continuation of their studies. Only this study for the social development of the child. And necessarily through games, the basics of first aid, and rescue on the water or on a hike are so easily learned.

You bastard!

The rest regime in many summer camps prescribes, if not taking away gadgets from children, then sharply limiting the time of using them. And not only because the video of any conflict situation in a few seconds can be in the parents’ phone.

Summer camps set themselves the good goal of replacing sitting in the internet with playing football, interesting reading, retelling of what was read …

Liza Chernova, counselor: And this, in general, is easy. Because in the camp the phones are really not always on the hands of the children. “In the calm” (translated from the camp slang – during the rest) there is time to call home, surf the Internet, write and upload a photo to Instagram. But this time is limited. We have the most loaded “real life schedule”.

Vladimir Kudryavtsev, psychologist: But, unfortunately, modern children with gadgets are almost in symbiosis. Parents literally throw them into their stroller. And then they pop in like a comfortable pacifier to keep the child busy and sit down to the TV.

Therefore, taking a gadget from a child is like … tearing off a hand, here both panic and pseudo-panic attacks are possible. It seems to me that it is not necessary to take away gadgets in the camp harshly, forcibly and for the whole day, but it is worth limiting the use of them.

And of course, it is better not to prohibit them, but to replace them with games, fairy tales, hikes, and amateur theaters. Aerobatics is to achieve that the child himself, voluntarily, in a game with himself, limits his gadget-time. Let the phone lie next to you and look at you. And you do not take it, although you can take it at any moment.

“RG” dossier

Types of organization of summer recreation for children

79.1 percent – health camps with daytime stay at schools and children’s centers

9.5 percent – summer labor and recreation camps

5.5 percent – out of town stationary recreation camps

3.8 percent – tent camps

1.3 percent – sanatorium and health camps

Source – Ministry of Education and Science of Russia.2017 data.

Like for a summer camp

What do today’s kids love?

Alexey Kasprzhak, ex-director of “Artek”:

– For four and a half years I have been engaged in the best camp in the country, and perhaps in the world, and I declare responsibly: children love to play what they do adults. They make films, make TV, go on long hikes, they love to cook. They are interested in creating a real, not an educational, not a school product that will remain a mock-up.It is important for them that what they have created is available on the internet, collects likes, evokes a reaction from adults. My children sang, danced, designed, put satellites into orbit, discovered new planets … And sometimes they did it more efficiently than adults.

By the way

The counselor is now being taught in 145 universities and 181 educational organizations. In 2018, over 39,000 people received this profession. Considering that about 27 students had completed their training the year before, the popularity of the counselor business is growing at a cosmic pace.

The Moscow State Pedagogical University is the federal coordination center for the training and support of counselors.

Blitz interview with a counselor

Sea of ​​charm

Should a counselor be beautiful?

Liza Chernova: Appearance plays a role. Children are greeted by their clothes. But beauty is only a small bonus. More important than charisma. If a person is not charming and does not have an inner core, he will not attract children.They quickly figure out what’s inside.

Do children bring expensive jewelry and similar clothes to the camp?

Liza Chernova: Yes, all kinds of children come, and according to the financial situation of their parents. But our camp has its own form – and this makes the situation easier.

A friend’s son visited an advertised camp on the Black Sea. One of the main impressions is teen sex. Another daughter says: so that at night this would not work out between boys and girls, they were given a bucket for the toilet and locked with a key in the houses…

Liza Chernova: If ​​parents fail to convince their children that love and sex should be treated very responsibly, then we have only one way out: control. We have both day and night counselors and this is avoided.

How are modern counselors different from pioneer leaders?

Liza Chernova: We are similar to our predecessors. But we, like children, are familiar with video blogging, robotics.

Do children in the camp still like to tell horror stories?

Liza Chernova: We have our own scary legend – about an ocean ghost watching the guys in the basement… But this is a children’s invention. It is more important for adults to find an approach to children.

Moscow State University camp | scientific camp MSU

“Elephant and Giraffe” and Moscow State University

…

In 2017, we signed a partnership

agreement

, according to which MSU can organize
scientific shifts at the Boarding House of the University Moscow State University, which will apply exclusively to
this site.

At the same time, we control the quality of such programs so that they are NOT worse than the programs
real camp
“Elephant and Giraffe”, which turns 12 in 2019.

Now you can get the necessary knowledge and skills in the following disciplines from the best
teachers of Moscow State University:

• English
• astronomy
• bioengineering
• biology
• olympiad biology
• biochemistry
• journalism
• zoology-botany
• history
• mathematics
• olympiad mathematics
• medicine
• Cartoon
• science,
• programming
• psychology
• robotics
• physics
• Olympiad Physics
• financial literacy
• chemistry
• olympiad chemistry

But that’s not all! In addition to science, we offer many different activities: board
games, creative evenings, active sports competitions, quizzes and much more.And in the evenings
we are happy to sing to the guitar, dance, watch and discuss movies, communicate, in general
we are having fun and interesting time.

We are gladly ready to accept new friends into our ranks of like-minded people!

Others “like camps of Moscow State University”

…

Moscow State University has the only children’s camp, which is located in the Boarding House of the University Moscow State University.The bulk of the vouchers to this camp are recreational, without training, and they are intended
for children of Moscow State University employees M.V. Lomonosov.

Any scientific, educational or training camps of Moscow State University may be sold exclusively
only on this site (slon-i-giraf.ru) and nowhere else under our partnership agreement.

Recently, a number of companies have been trying to use the brands of Moscow State University and “Elephant and Giraffe” to promote
their camps and the sale of it is not clear what product.We are successfully fighting this
(see decision on protection
our trademark).
However, the courts do not work quickly.

Therefore, we strongly recommend that you check the documents with
companies,
who call themselves “camp of Moscow State University” or “scientific camp of Moscow State University”. Sometimes funny cases come across.
For example, one of these companies has an order from the rector of Moscow State University on the website stating that the owner of this
the company was given the key to one of the auditoriums of Moscow State University, as an employee of Moscow State University, so that he would perform his
job responsibilities.However, there is no connection between this fact and the fact that this employee
organized by LLC,
which sells vouchers to “sort of a scientific camp at Moscow State University” no.

Be vigilant and don’t get fooled by cheap tricks!

90,000 Summer math camps for schoolchildren

Victoria Ripa

learned that summer is the perfect time to pull up math

Getting a student to study on vacation is not easy, but there is one little trick.Summer math camps and schools combine entertainment programs with education and preparation for exams and olympiads. Sometimes this can be done right by the sea.

We have compiled summer educational programs in mathematics for schoolchildren from first to eleventh grade. The recruitment is still underway, so you can catch your shift this summer.

Coronavirus restrictions in camps

Compared to last year, Rospotrebnadzor has softened the requirements for the work of camps. The occupancy rate of camps should be no more than 75%, and staff who live outside the camp are required to take a weekly coronavirus test.Parents’ days have also been canceled in many schools and camps.

Important: Children must have an up-to-date negative PCR test with them.

Offsite mathematics schools 2 × 2

To: students of grades 5-10
How much it costs: 69 900 R, there are discounts for prize-winners and winners of Olympiads
Shift: August 2-25 at the recreation center “Green City” in the village of Gorki, Moscow Region
More details: on the website

Creative Laboratory 2 × 2 is a community of mathematicians who organize numerous circles, Olympiads and field camps.Pupils of the laboratory annually take gold, silver and bronze places at the All-Russian and international Olympiads in mathematics. The camp is taught by methodologists, graduates of the Faculty of Mechanics and Mathematics of Moscow State University, authors-compilers of specialized Olympiads and teachers of Moscow schools.

During mobile schools, children study mathematics in groups divided by the level of proficiency in the subject. In addition to studying, children go to hobby groups, watch films and play sports. The rules of stay have been updated taking into account the threat of coronavirus: the parental day has been canceled and there is no way to take the child home from the camp for a few days.

What they write in the reviews: “The problems were very exciting and quite difficult. In their free time, counselors came up with entertainment, for example: a hat, mafia, volleyball and various other board and outdoor games, and in the evening there was either squad time or some kind of game, for example, a blockage “- one of the students.

“Olmat” in the suburbs

To: pupils of grades 4-10
How much: from 59 000 R, the exact price should be checked with the organizers
Shift: first July 3-14, second July 17-28
More details: on the website

A traveling school on the territory of the Forest Polyany health camp was organized by teachers from Moscow State University and the Higher School of Economics.Many of them have been winners of the All-Russian and International Olympiads in the past. This is the main specialization of “Olmata”: students develop critical thinking, logic and prepare for the Olympiads, which will help to enter the university.

What they write in the reviews: “The teachers are hard workers: they worked practically day and night, checking problems until nightfall and spreading new information. There would be more such smart, polite, cheerful and patient young people! Many thanks to each teacher! The process was so exciting that I worked together with the child ”- the mother of one of the students.

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MIPT Summer School of Physics and Mathematics in Moscow and Dolgoprudny

To: pupils of grades 8-11
How much it costs: 2 weeks – 36,500 R, 1 week – 19,500 R
Shift: August 9-20
More details: on the website

There is no entertainment program here: the classes are aimed exclusively at preparing schoolchildren for the OGE and the Unified State Exam.The training shift begins with testing, after which the students are divided into groups depending on the results.

Schoolchildren with average or poor knowledge will have tasks and projects that should generate interest in the exact sciences. And strong groups solve complex problems from the exam and Olympiads. In Moscow, the school will be held in the training center at Chistye Prudy and in Dolgoprudny – in the main building of the Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology.

What they write in reviews: “Classes are held in a relaxed atmosphere, you can joke with teachers and communicate as with friends, but the knowledge gained here will definitely come in handy in writing the Unified State Exam and Olympiads like Phystech.Great attention is paid to the organization of leisure – I think everyone here can find something to their liking: board games, football, volleyball, or you can just play around. And, of course, special events and quizzes are fun ”- one of the students.

LNMO Scientific School in Belarus

To: students in grades 7-11
How much: 50,000 R
Shifts: June 29 – July 19
More details: on the website

In the Laboratory of Continuous Mathematical Education, children learn to solve Olympiad problems, study algebra and analysis, integrals and even programming.

A math session takes place in the Vetraz sanatorium in the Vitebsk region. In addition to intensive training, students are expected to play sports, walks, excursions, a book and film club. Lessons are taught by teachers, graduates and researchers of universities. At the end of the shift, each student takes exams and receives a grade book with the results.

What they write in the reviews: “Both sons went to the camp, both of them had their first experience of camps – and definitely successful. When they returned, they said from the doorway that they were going again in the new year.Venya came to the camp from an ordinary school, he has an established opinion that teachers were created in order to look for flaws in him, therefore he was happy with any of his successes and adequate attitude, he saw a different life altogether. Kesha, accustomed to both teachers and children, just enjoyed it. As a mother, I am grateful to LNMO for believing in every child, my inveterate robbers received a charge of motivation and faith in themselves ”- the mother of two students.

Smart camp in Moscow

To: pupils of grades 4-9
How much it costs: 50 000 R
Shifts: June 28 – July 10, July 12-24, July 26 – August 7, August 9-21
More details: on the site

In the camp you can study in different directions: from theater to engineering.The mathematical program is based on the classical “Leningrad circles”, materials from the Kirov Summer School and the Small Mechanics and Mathematics Department of Moscow State University. The camp is located in New Moscow near the village of Valuevo. Due to the epidemiological situation, there will be no parenting days this year.

What they write in the reviews: “My daughter went for the first time. She returned delighted. I really liked the math classes, circles, and evening events, and the atmosphere in the detachment and in the camp as a whole. Special thanks to the head of the theater studio and the squad leader: attentive, thoughtful, positive mentors.Communication with such interesting and intelligent older comrades is in itself a great benefit for teenagers ”- the mother of one of the students.

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Field Mathematical Schools of the MMMF near the Black Sea

To: pupils of grades 4-10
How much it costs: from 47,000-65,000 R, there are discounts for prize-winners and winners of various Olympiads
Shifts: July 1-20 for students from 7 to 10 grades, July 21 – August 9 for students from 4th to 6th grade
More details: on the website

MMMF – Small Mechanics and Mathematics Faculty, School of Young Mathematicians at Moscow State University.Every year the school holds shifts in Bulgaria on the Black Sea coast. This time, due to restrictions, the children will be invited to Tuapse, to the boarding house “Yunost”.

To get to the camp, children need to pass an interview: students in grades 9-10 are especially strict. They must either participate in previous field events of the MMMF, or study in specialized physics and mathematics schools, or have Olympiad achievements. Those who pass the selection will receive classes with teachers, students and graduate students of leading universities, mathematical schools and circles in Moscow.School time is four hours daily in the morning.

Be careful: the parents were unhappy with the living conditions in Bulgaria.

What they say in reviews “The food is worse than at school. The number of living creatures is off scale. The math is really great. You can go there in the mode: the child with his mother / grandmother lives in a normal hotel or apartment and only goes to classes. Many people do that ”- one of the parents.

90,000 The Chamber of Regions proposes to hold summer scientific camps in Russia for young scientists from different countries

Photo: press service of the UrFU

The huge ethnocultural, linguistic, ideological, religious potential of our country is the basis of an important resource for the development of constructive interreligious cooperation at the international level, including in the field of public diplomacy, for reaching agreement and ensuring mutual understanding between peoples.This was announced on May 25 by Senator Andriy Shevchenko, speaking at a round table in the Federation Council.

Therefore, it is important to take further measures of state support for the development of ethnocultural tourism. This includes developing and ensuring the functioning of several exemplary ethno-cultural tourist routes that will become benchmarks for this area.

I consider state support and participation in cooperation to harmonize interethnic and interfaith relations in the world of the Russian scientific community and civil society institutions very important.So that they contribute to strengthening ties between peoples, preserving common spiritual and moral values ​​that ensure peace and cooperation, as well as popularizing knowledge about Russia and the historical unity of its multinational people

Andrey Shevchenko, First Deputy Chairman of the Federation Council Committee on Federal Structure, Regional Policy, local self-government and Northern affairs

The development of such cooperation, according to the senator, requires the search for new effective forms, and specific measures can be fixed in documents aimed at implementing existing federal projects.

In particular, the senator proposed to expand the practice of holding international summer scientific camps for young scientists from different countries. He noted that it is important to maintain a dialogue among young people, cooperation of youth organizations, as well as to stimulate communication between young scientists from different countries with Russian colleagues.

“The unique Russian experience of centuries-old intercultural and interreligious interaction, the cooperation of the peoples of our country is … extremely relevant for many countries and a popular example of a successful state policy to harmonize interethnic and interfaith relations,” the senator emphasized.

90,000 Summer career guidance holidays at TIT NRNU MEPhI

An annual summer career guidance school was held at the Trekhgorny Technological Institute of NRNU MEPhI. The engineering and technical detachment “I am an engineer” for schoolchildren of grades 5-7 was organized within the framework of the roadmap for the implementation of the four-sided agreement between NRNU MEPhI, State Corporation Rosatom, FSUE Instrument-Making Plant and the administration of the city of Trekhgorny in order to develop the movement “AtomSkills Juniors »In the town of Trekhgorny.

This year the number of those wishing to spend their summer holidays in such an intelligent format has more than doubled compared to last year.

In the summer camp, classes in computer graphics and electronics that are beloved by schoolchildren are held. In the classroom, children in various forms master the skills of reading drawings, learn to confidently work in the Compass 3D program (execute drawings and 3D models) and, as a result, create an individual project work with visualization. In electronics classes, young engineers learn the basics, from the simplest experiments with a galvanic cell to the Schmidt transistor trigger.The student mentors involved in the implementation of this large-scale project explain in detail all the experiments carried out. Classes are structured sequentially, from simple to complex. The basics of experimental design, calculation of electronic circuits, basic electronic components (resistors, relays and transistors), integrated analog (operational amplifier) ​​and digital (triggers and counters) circuits are considered.

Guys share their impressions:

Semyon Dmitriev : “I got acquainted with capacitors and diodes, learned how to make real printed circuit boards, get acquainted with an oscilloscope and a voltmeter.”

Victoria Inozemtseva : “I assembled an electronic circuit on my own and learned how to create these circuits!”

Makar Mironov : “I was able to create a 3D model of a robot concept that was invented by many! I am delighted!”

Every day, during a break between classes, “big breaks” were organized for the children, during which team-building games, intellectual quests and scientific labyrinths were held for them in the robotics laboratory of the TIT NRNU MEPhI.

“I am very glad that almost half of the children of the summer camp are regulars of our vocational guidance school“ I am an engineer ”in various engineering competencies.Schoolchildren do not feel like guests here, they know many teachers, students, they know the laboratories. And we, of course, are also very friendly with them ”- comments Polina Evdokimova , organizer of the summer engineering and technical unit .

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