The 2009 Summer Camp Guide
April 1st, 2009 by Jane SchneiderCALLING ALL CAMPERS! Summer camp is time for making new friends and discovering untapped talents. Camp gives kids a chance to explore themselves in a safe environment, with plenty of outdoor play, challenging activities, quiet time, and the opportunity to learn something about themselves. Below is a small sample of the many programs available. Check our advertisers for additional camp options.
Camp Bear Track
Ozark Mountains, Arkansas
Ages: 7-15
Fee: $950/one week, $1800/two weeks
Dates: June 7-August 7
This Christian residential camp offers traditional activities like archery and swimming, but then gives kids a chance to stretch, with outdoor living skills, guitar, cheerleading, water sports and more. Led with a Christian focus, it teaches kids about cooperation and what it means to build community.
• Contact: (501) 825-8222, campbeartrack.com
Victory Ranch
Bolivar, Tennessee
Ages: 7-15
Fee: $950/week, $700/beginner camp
Dates: May 26-July 25
Summers at this Christian residential camp mean fun-filled days with outdoor adventures, a ropes course, horseback riding, and water sports among others. Counselors are generally former campers or someone connected to the camp.
• Contact: (731) 659-2880, victoryranch.org
Space Camp
U.S. Space and Rocket Center, Huntsville, Alabama
Ages: 9-11
Dates: May 24-Aug. 16
Fee: $799
Kids get a taste of what it’s like to train as an astronaut. Held at the U.S. Space and Rocket Center in Huntsville, this six-day camp features cool activities like moon walking in a 1/6 gravity simulator, working in a mission control center, and rocket-building. The museum hosts a range of science, space, and aviation camps for children ages 9 and up.
• Contact: (800) 63-SPACE, spacecamp.com
All About Girls
Girls Inc.
Ages: 7-16
Fee: $300 for the summer
Dates: June 1-July 24, Mon.-Fri., 8 a.m.-5:30 p.m.
Camps take place at five Girls Inc. centers across the city and provide a host of fun activities throughout the summer. Emphasis is placed on exercise and nutrition, team-building, arts and crafts, and interpersonal communication. Field trips are taken each week. All programming is age-appropriate, with girls divided into groups ages 6-8, 9-11, and 12-18. • Contact: 523-0217, girlsincmemphis.org
Future Builders Summer Camp
BRIDGES
Ages: Rising 6th-9th graders
Fee: $300 for one-week sessions, scholarships available
Dates: Camps in June and July
Activities include low and high ropes challenges, outdoor adventures, team building activities, with emphasis placed on leadership skills development, environmental education and service-learning community projects. • Contact: Mollie Merry Campbell, 260-3783.
DeSoto Family Theater Camp
DeSoto Civic Center, Southhaven, Mississippi
Ages: 6-9, 8-12, 9 and up.
Fee: $125 for 1 week, $240 for 2 weeks
Dates: Camps in June and July
Kids love to put on a show. At DeSoto Family Theater camp, children ages 6 and up get to sing, dance, and act their way through productions like 101 Dalmations, Mulan, and High School Musical. In addition to learning songs and lines, kids play games and become more familiar with the theater. The performing arts offer good esteem-building skills that translate off stage as well.
• Contact: (662) 280-6456 or dftonline.org
Gymnastics Camp
Gymstars
Ages: 3-15
Fee: $99/week, $25/drop-in for a day, $15/mini camp
Dates: June 1- July 31, 9 a.m.-12:30 p.m. or
12:30-4 p.m.
Gymstars in Collierville will keep your kids moving, with its exercise-oriented day camp. In addition to daily gymnastics training, Gymstars offers games, rock climbing, conditioning, and exercise routines. Arts and crafts are also included, as well as field trips on Friday. • Contact: 861-8468
SOAR Day Camp
Christ Methodist Day School
Ages: rising Jr.K-7th grade
Fee: $105 for 3 days, $135 for 5 days
Dates: June 1-July 31, Mon.-Fri., 9 a.m.-3 p.m.
This new camp’s acronym stands for scholarship, outreach, athletics, and relationships; the aim is to foster leadership and personal growth in campers. But rest assured, kids will have fun along the way with outdoor water games, arts and crafts, cooking, group sports, and more. For an additional fee, campers can take advantage of enrichment classes. • Contact: 261-2147, cmdsmemphis.org
Academic Adventures
Memphis University School
Ages: rising 7th- and 8th-grade boys
Fee: $175/per week. Sessions run from
8:30-11:30 a.m. or 1-4 p.m.
Dates: June 1-July 31, sessions dates vary
Kids typically want to keep academics at arm’s-length during the summer, but these camps focus on interesting topics while sneaking in projects that strengthen writing and critical thinking skills. Week-long sessions give participants an opportunity to explore digital film-making, the origin and myth behind the Harry Potter series, comics, and graphic novels, music, and more.
• Contact: 260-1300, musowls.org
Architecture Camp
University of Memphis School of Architecture
Age: rising 9th through 12th graders
Fee: $300, $350 after May 15, scholarships avaiable
Dates: June 1-13, 9 a.m.-2 p.m.
Teens interested in learning about architecture can attend a two-week camp offered through the University of Memphis’ department of architecture. During the session, students design a project and create a 3D computer model as they learn from local architects, faculty, and design professionals. Field trips to view buildings are also included.
• Contact: AIA Memphis, 525-3818
10 Questions to Ask
Find out what’s going on at your camp
1. What is the camp’s philosophy?
Is it competitive or cooperative? Are your child’s interests going to be a good fit for the activities offered? A good match is a camp whose values match your own.
2. What are the daily activities kids enjoy?
Is it a good balance between physical activity and quiet time, familiar activities and new ones?
3. What is the ratio of counselors to campers?
American Camping Association (ACA) standards require different ratios at different ages (more for young kids, less for older). Depending on the ages and abilities of the campers, the medium range is one staff member for every seven or eight campers.
4. What are the ages of the counselors?
ACA standards recommend that 80 percent or more of the counseling staff be at least 18 years old. In addition, at least 20 percent of the programming staff should have a bachelor’s degree.
5. What kind of training do counselors receive?
Where does the emphasis lie and what are the guiding principles the camp asks staff to adhere to?
6. How many counselors return each year?
Most camps have from 40 to 60 percent returning staff. If the rate is lower, ask why.
7. How does the camp handle special requests?
If your child must take asthma or other daily medications, find out how the camp manages that. Is there a nurse on site? Find out if there’s a designated place to store insulin or ADD meds. Ask about whether a restricted diet can be accommodated.
8. How are behavior and discipline issues managed?
You want to know how the camp handles problems with bullying or aggression. What do they do when kids act out? Positive reinforcement, mediation, and a sense of fair play are key components of good leadership.
9 How does the camp handle homesickness?
Find out their policy per whether kids are allowed to call or e-mail home when the going gets tough.
10. What kind of communication are kids allowed?
Some camps are into the electronic age, others want kids unplugged. Find out how much or what kind of communication is allowed. Also ask about whether you can send care packages. Some ask you to restrict candy or other items.
Tags: Academic Adventures, Architecture Camp, BRIDGES Future Builders, Camp Bear Track, DeSoto Family Theater Camp, Girls Inc., Gymstars, SOAR Day Camp, Space Camp, Victory Ranch