Is your child looking for a little adventure? Are they wanting a summer filled with fun? From astronaut adventure camps, to backpacking trips, to white water rafting adventures your child will enjoy every minute at any number of these exciting Adventure Camps. Here is a list of the top five:
Adventure Treks
Adventure Treks is serious camping and outdoor adventure for youth. This program was started in 1978 and boasts an impressive 60% student return rate–3 to 1over other youth adventure programs. There are 17 different camps offered during the summer, and smaller group sizes. Your youth can enjoy an Alaskan Expedition complete with ice climbing, and kayaking in Prince William Sound. Or backpack in the Appalachian Mountains of New England. Experience caving, mountain biking, and rock climbing. If that’s not enough adventure, try the Ultimate Northwest adventure where you can climb Mount St. Helens, go whitewater kayaking, and more!
The best thing about Adventure Treks is the incredible reputation they have earned in the community. All the instructors are above average certified and trained to handle a variety of terrain and situations. All are trained to handle youth, and all instructors are above 21. Your teenager will get to experience the outdoors, see the problems faced by global warming firsthand, and get a true experience of the beauty the earth provides and how important it is to maintain our enviornment for future generations. Online applications are accepted through the website. You can also go to the website at www.adventuretreks.com to receive a free DVD and booklet outlining some of the incredible adventure camps the company offers.
Astronaut Training Camp
What can be more adventurous than a simulated trip to unknown worlds? The Astronaut Training Experience Camp at Kennedy Space Center in Florida will provide your child just that. Your child will prepare and train as a team with other fellow campers for their own simulated space adventure flight. Your child will make and design their own space vehicle, meet and talk to an actual astronaut and strap in and enjoy the Shuttle Launch Experience. This ride allows you to experience what astronauts do. Feel the forces of takeoff to the weighlessness of space.
Astronaut Training Camp offers week long camps through the spring and summer for kids ages 8-14. Camp prices are $295 for the weeklong adventure. Camp hours are from 9am-4pm daily. Early drop offs at 7:30 are available. All meals are provided in this cost as well. For more information, view the links to the website listed at the end of this article. Some stayover camps are provided and family camps are also available. See the website for more details.
Flight Training Adventure Camps
This camp is open for youth ages 14-21 who have a serious desire to learn to fly. Two-eight week camp sessions teach good judgement, flying skills, and even how to fly in this unique based summer camp adventure program. Your youth can learn to copilot driving a plane with plenty of hands on instruction and expert training. For those older, they can spend a summer flying and learning to fly a plane solo. Certified instructors are available.
The camp combines a learning atmosphere with plenty of fun. Your youth will experience rock climbing, parachuting, cliff jumping, and mountain biking during their camp stay. Each night, your youth will sleep under the wings of an airplane. Any airplane loving youth will learn to appreciate and love the adventure of airplanes, and have the chance to experience flying and becoming instructed on piloting their very own airplane. Camp costs vary from $295-6,000 in cost depending on the type of camp you choose. There are plenty of camp opportunities that will keep your child grounded if you are a parent scared of having your child fly or learn to fly. See the website for details. All instructors are flight certified and have multiple years of experience.
Broadreach Adventure Camp
Is your teen age 13-18 looking to explore the world? If so, let them experience some of the beauty, sights, and people from around the world. The Broadreach program offers several types of treks and adventures that offer the opportunity to learn but be immersed in the culture of different worlds.
The Academic Treks offer the opportunity for teens to experience marine science adventure programs, Spanish, French, and Chinese immersion camps, and more with the opportunity to gain college credit and community service hours. Let your child experience camel trekking, sailing, scuba diving, backpacking, and sea kayaking with the security of knowing they are in good hands with certified instructors. Camps will take you to the Caribbean, Baja, the Yucatan and more!
Broadreach has been around since 1992 and has offered both high school and college trips for students. Camp prices vary depending on the location your child chooses, so check the website for details and requirements for the different countries your child may want to go to.
Adventure Camp Locator
Can’t afford to send your child to the Yucatan or climb Mount Saint Helens this year? Than consider going to the site AdventureCamp.com. This helpful site lets you sort through camps based on the activities your child would like to experience. Your child could choose a desert hiking adventure, a scuba diving camp, or any number of different camps availalble.
The site also allows you to search by state. Simply click on your state and easily see the various camps your state has to offer. Links to the specific camp website are a click away and information is easily posted for your convienence.
There is also a helpful index at the bottom showing available jobs for those youth wanting to ‘work and play’ during the summer.
Adventure Treks
PO Box 1321
Flat Rock, NC 28731
888-954-5555
www.adventuretreks.com
Astronaut Training Camp
Kennedy Space Center–Florida
321-449-4400
http://www.kennedyspacecenter.com/sp-camp-kennedy-space-center.aspx
Flight Training Adventure Camps
PO Box 1971
Fairfield, IA 52556
641-472-5217
http://www.ftac.info/index2.html
**Under the Bush administration, the school was forced to close in the United States. The school has kept all camp information open as well as maintained the camp and school during this time. Under the Obama administration, they are hoping to reopen within the next year or two. They currently maintain a camp in Switzerland.**
Broadreach Adventure Camp
888-833-1907
