Let's discuss summer camps! (Cary, High Point: house, YMCA, high school)

[ferrickhead28]

Since summer is almost here, I'm sure I'm like alot of parents trying to get some ideas about summer camps!

Maybe we can just start a thread and either ask questions or make some suggestions?

I personally, am trying to find a decent summer camp for my 14 year old daughter who will be a high school freshman next year. Right now, I'm finding some really interesting camps but they are only 3-4 days long and cost about a thousand dollars! I'm trying to find something for the entire summer that lasts all day long and doesn't cost a fortune!

Any suggestions? I found one offered through the YWCA that is for young girls, some sort of fashion camp but it doesn't look like it's being held this year. It was being offered at Peace.

Thanks in advance to all who contribute!

[lamishra]

I have never found anything like that (all summer, all day) for that age. Most of the regular summer camps age out at rising 8th graders.

A couple of suggestions for that age since I've been through this with a teen as well:

-Have her look into being a junior camp counselor at the Y camps or your local town's summer camps. I know the town of Cary wants kids that age to volunteer at their summer camp. It's awesome because 1.) it's free for you 2.) they are busy all day 3.) it's considered volunteer work and looks good on college applications and 4) it can lead a paying job the next summer

If she has an interest in something such as horseback riding, skating or computers, have her contact other camps in the area and ask about being a junior counselor. My daughter did this at the Cary Ice House the summer she was 13 and 14 and by 15, they hired her for a paying position.

-Look into getting her life guarding certification for next summer. She can get a job as a pool lifeguard. Our pool hires 15 year olds as guards, so not only will she be busy all summer, she'll be earning money and hanging out at the pool with other kids.

-look into teen camps through your local town parks and rec department. I don't know specifically about Clayton, but I know Cary offers several in the summer, even though they don't go all summer long. You can usually sort of piece together enough camps to keep them pretty busy and they are generally affordable.

-look at the various colleges and universities-they sometimes offer teen camps

-If she's interested in going away for a week, Girl scout camps are very affordable and there is one right outside of Clayton (Camp Mary Atkinson)

[KimberlyFreeman08]

This isn't really relevant to me just yet (my daughter turns one next month!), but I'm really interested to see what folks have to recommend. Good idea to start thinking now for the future summers!!

[shellsd]

Great ideas Lamishra!

My oldest son went to day camp at Camp Kanata last year and will be going to resident came for a week this summer (My first week away from him, I am already dreading it even though I am wicked excited for him).

He's also doing the free Science in the Summer camp through GSK but that is only 1/2 days. The museum of life and science has a really cool looking camp as well but we haven't been.

[KayAnn246]

Cedar Fork Community Center in Morrisville has some awesome camps. The age range is from 3-15 years old. My almost 5 year old and 11 year old go every year.

[ineedascreenname]

My kiddo goes to resident camp at Kanata for his summer track out. This will be his second year (he will be 7) and he really enjoys it. I spent my summers at camp as a kid and want him to have the same experiences.

[just_sayin']

I've brought it up here before but people always seem to ignore it or turn it down for some reason...Camp Cheerio (owned by the YMCA...I believe of High Point) was wonderful and our kids loved it...I believe the cutoff age was rising 10th grade and they offered all girls sessions as well as coed sessions (no all boys sessions for whatever reason but since you have a daughter that is irrelevant). It is in the blue ridge mountains and had stunning views from what I remember when dropping off and picking up my kids. I believe it was around $800 per week so it was pricey but we were very impressed with it when we brought our kids there back in the early 2000's and from what I've heard from old family friends (who still have kids who go there) it has undergone a lot of renovations over the last few years.

There is also camp Seafearer by the coast owned by the YMCA of the Triangle...it is much bigger and is mostly geared toward nautical activities from what I understand but it is also highly regarded in the YMCA camp circuit.

[MsT89]

I teach in a K-8 school, and the camps I always hear about are:

• Camp Seafarer
• Camp Kanata
• Camp Cheerio
• Carolina Friends Summer Programs
• Camp Riverlea
• Museum of Life & Science Summer Programs

I don't know lots of specifics, just that the kids seem to love them.

One more suggestion: When I was a kid (100s of years ago!), I loved going to Camp Kanuga up in Hendersonville.

I agree with the suggestion of the PP to look into her being a junior counselor or counselor in training. Maybe she could be a regular camper at some sessions and be a helper at others. It would give her a chance to have some extra responsibility, but still allow her time to just be a kid.

Good luck!

[StAndroid]

I posted something similar in another thread on camps, but I'll do it again because I love these camps so much!

The NC chapter of the UMC runs 3 camps in NC, each with a different 'focus area'. Camp Don Lee has a sailing program, at Camp Chestnut Ridge there's horseback riding and Camp Rock Fish is basically a general summer camp.

They're affiliated with the Methodist Church, but it's not an in-your-face Christian environment at all and kids from all faiths are welcomed and respected. I had a fantastic time as a kid at all 3 camps (I think I did ~ 3 summers at each one) and really can't say enough good things. Each camp offers programs anywhere from 3 days to 3 weeks long depending on the age of the camper and what they're interested in.

You can find info about all 3 camps here: NC UM Camp and Retreat Ministries, Inc. - Chestnut Ridge, Rockfish and Don Lee

[librarySue]

Good luck finding day camp programs for young teens or even tweens! They are few and far between and very expensive.