Washington State has so many adventure camps that it’s a real magnet for kids from surrounding states to come here and experience a huge range of water and other activities.
Norwester has what most kids want in a summer camp–lots and lots of fun and serious adventure! It’s a kid’s dream come true, according to the features listed on their web site. http://www.norwester.org/about-whatIs.htm The strong emphasis on group activities and living is pointed out as one thing that makes this camp special when compared with others like it. Structured around a unique “unit system” campers here participate in their activities as a group, rather than choosing individual items of interest. Boys and girls, aged 9-16, engage in supportive, low-impact traditional camp activities that teach environmental stewardship and group cohesion. Once a week, the units come together for gathering with other groups around a campfire, or to share songs and experiences, play some musical instruments and even share poems. There are also weekly non-denominational chapels where children hear discussions on tolerance, respect and friendship. With 12-15 campers to a unit, they sleep on cots in tipis or in tents with wooden floors under the supervision of several staffers. Sailing in the beautiful San Juan Islands area is one of the main activities and biking, nature walks and discussions, ropes challenges, and arts and crafts form the core of Norwester’s day. There are out camp trips, and overnights planned by the campers themselves. Each unit is involved in one or two work projects each week to learn how to haul and cut firewood, work in the kitchen and share in the maintenance of the camp itself. Tuition for kids aged 11-16 is $3,350 for a four-week session and requires an initial $500 deposit. The first two-week session for kids 9-10 begins June 25 and it cost $1,750 with an initial $500 deposit. Explore the web site and even contact the administration if there are further questions unanswered by the FAQ’s. This is a camp for teaching kids stewardship of nature and care and support for the community while providing skills and a fun summer of learning.
Another camp that’s a bit off the beaten track, so to speak, is Port Townsend marine Center. http://www.ptmsc.org/programs/camps.htm It’s a great way for kids to spend a hands-on week of studying the marine environments in and around the Straits of Juan de Fuca and Port Townsend Bay. Kids attending the residential camp stay in Fort Warden State Park Conference Center facility. Kids are naturally curious and they really get excited when exposed to the fascinating marine wildlife in the area. They may spend their days catching bugs, investigating ponds and tidal pools, discovering fossils, learning about seismology and some basics of earthquake detection, gathering marine skeletons and any number of things. But they are always busy hiking, learning, playing games and just having fun investigating the life of the beautiful Washington Bay area and seacoast. There are several levels of camps. Just choose one appropriate for your kid and apply online. Marine Research Camp in 2007 will cost $750 and there is only room for 12 students from 9th to 12th grade, so be sure to apply early! The session runs Aug. 5-Aug. 12, 2007. They’ll be exploring, going to research labs and sailing Puget Sound, snorkeling and meeting with scientists in the field on their weeklong adventure. It’s a perfect way for these teens to nourish their interest in science and possibly create a focus on a college major for the following years. Call the center for any more information at 360-385-5582.
Does your kid love the water? Does he or she have high-functioning autism or ADD? If both are true, you need to read all about a neat program that’s been set up to help with the difficulties of these conditions, while teaching new and exciting skills in sailing! http://www.talismancamps.com/talisail.html Kids in the program don’t need any experience whatsoever, The program is only open for 5-7 teens 13-17 years of age, so early application is really important. The 42-ft. catamaran will set off with three very experienced staff and sail the waters of the San Juan Islands off the coast of Washington for eight glorious days. Primarily, the voyage will serve as a training ground for teaching coping methods and interactive social skills. Both of the main counselors have extensive experience in teaching the learning disordered and the Director, Peter Weiss, has headed programs especially for training kids with autism, ADD and other learning disorders in wilderness settings. The featured counselor, Holly Briscoe, is quite experienced in working with kids with autism and she has been a Special Education teacher in UW’s Experimental Education unit. So, your kid will be in great hands on the trip. Because of the intensive nature and confined quarters of this trip they will learn how to interact with each other and focus on tasks at hand. The program is highly structured, so all kids will be learning the how-tos of sailing, tending a boat, cooking, cleaning, and adjusting sails, navigation and use of nautical instruments. The challenge of the tasks is what motivates the kids to work together and learn to have fun by engaging in cooperative teamwork. This is an opportunity not to be missed by parents who want their kids to begin coping with these disabilities. The date for the trip is July 15-22 and it costs $2,500. There’s a downloadable brochure on the web site. If you click on the link for rates, however, there are many more programs in other areas for these challenged children. Look on the FAQ’s to see the answers to some common questions like discipline. It’s a fascinating site and a wonderful program for anyone rearing these children.
