If you’re a parent ready to let your child take the sleep away camp plunge, here are 20 camp and teen tour experiences that should be on your radar.
#1: The Appalachian Mountain Club's Teen Wilderness Adventures
Teen Wilderness Adventures (pictured, above), include spectacular locations like the White Mountain National Forest, where teens get to experience some of the most impressive above-tree line panoramas in the Northeast as part of their hiking and wilderness adventures. They combine one or more outdoor activities--like hiking, rock climbing, backpacking, kayaking, canoeing, mountain biking, and service and conservation adventures--with spectacular destinations such as the White Mountains region of northern New Hampshire and western Maine, the Lakes Region of central New Hampshire, the Maine Highlands of northern Maine, and Acadia National Park. Group sizes ranges from 6 to 10 and all trips have at least two instructors at all times.
New for 2010: Hike, Backpack, and White Water Kayak Adventure; Zealand Valley Backpack; Maine Coast Ocean Kayak and South of the Kanc, Tripyramid Region 4,000 Footers Backpack.
What we love: Participants in AMC's Teen Wilderness Adventures learn about the outdoors and develop essential life skills through 5-to-23-day wilderness adventure programs in New Hampshire and Maine. With trips for novices as well as experienced outdoors enthusiasts, this program fosters an appreciation for the environment, develops self-esteem, instills a spirit of adventure, and promotes teamwork, friendship, and a sense of community through memorable wilderness experiences.
Their 20-day Leadership Training Backpack course prepares older teens (ages 16-18) for their own personal wilderness adventures, and it can also be an important step towards becoming a wilderness instructor. Many graduates of this program have gone on to work with the AMC. Their Youth Adventures series, for ages 12-13, offers a variety of outdoor activities but keeps hiking distances and pack weights appropriate for younger participants. These adventures start with day hikes that lead up to a short backpacking, rock climbing, or canoe trip. Youth Adventures help kids of this age increase their outdoor confidence and skills while building self-sufficiency.
Parent perks: Excellent value - rates include instruction, transportation, meals, group equipment, and camping fees. They offer all participants free use of AMC outdoor gear, which can be a significant savings for first timers or kids who will outgrow gear yearly. New Wilderness Conservation and Service Adventure focuses on outdoor ethics and conservation and offers the opportunity to earn up to 24 service hours, which can be applied toward high school graduation community service requirements.
More info: www.outdoors.org/teenwilderness
Phone: 603-466-2727
#2: Forest Acres Camp for Girls and Indian Acres Camp for Boys, Maine
Camp owners Neal and Julie Waldman met at camp in 1976 and have spent more than 25 summers at Forest and Indian Acres. Their daughters, Johanna and Sarah, both hold leadership roles at camp Forest Acres Camp for Girls and Indian Acres Camp for Boys whice are a “brother/sister” camp located two miles from each other. These two camps offer the best of the single gender camp experience and the co-ed camp experience.
Located in the foothills of the White Mountains, campers climb many of these gorgeous peaks and get to frolic in the Ocean beaches of Maine and New Hampshire which are just a short drive from camp. In addition to the traditional ball fields, their facilities include Olympic style swimming pools, a state of the art climbing tower, zipline, a high and low ropes circuit course, tennis courts, archery ranges, two darkrooms, a dance studio, a theater, and much more. At least once a week campers travel to explore the great New England sites.
What we love: This camp sits on the shores of one of New England’s most precious resources, the Saco River, where campers can swim, canoe or simply watch the sunset. They also have a beautiful lake where campers can water-ski, wakeboard, knee board, sail, kayak, and take advantage of one of Maine’s great lakes. They boast one of the finest riding programs in the country. Mount Holyoke College’s CJ law directs the riding program which includes children of every level. Riders participate in local and regional horseshows and are taught by CJ and the members of her riding team. Their barn can house 30 horses and we have 3 riding arenas. They also have a one week intensive program.
Parent perks: Since 1924 Forest and Indian Acres have had the same shared mission. “Kids First.” Their communications system allows parents instant access to our entire camp family. It is not only the camper that comes to camp; it is their entire family that becomes part of our community. Their diverse community of children from 25 states and numerous countries help build a global community and help our children truly prepare for future.
More info: www.indianacres.com
Phone: 978-405-0286
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