When most of us think of summer camp, we envision young children playing games and participating in activities.  But summer camps aren’t just for the little ones.  In fact, your teen will probably appreciate the opportunity to spend some time away from home with others his/her own age.  Many young adults find it hard to stay occupied during the long summer break; most are beyond the age limit of typical summer camps, and many are too young to have a job.  The result is three months of television, computers and phones.  But there are choices for teens that are ready to spend their summer staying active. 

Staying Close to Home

Though actual camps for teens are available, there are also opportunities for other involvement.  By the time they reach 13 or 14, many teens may qualify for junior counselor-type positions at camps.  Many recreation centers, libraries, golf courses, art centers, and other local organizations rely on help from responsible teens to keep their programs running smoothly.  Some organizations will have the same participants return year after year, and some will even PAY their helpers!  But if actual attendance of a camp is preferred, you’ll find several programs that cater specifically to teens such as swimming, marine exploration, team sports, fine arts, and more.  Research the options for camps that spike an interest in your teen.  Your teen may feel more at ease attending camp with a friend and staying involved in familiar activities.  But don’t hesitate to encourage exploration.  Summer camps are a great opportunity to discover new interests or learn new skills.  Check the Tampa Bay Kids Net’s Summer Camp Guide to find one that’s right for your family. 

Outward Bound Adventures

If travel, distance from home, and adventure are what your teen craves, the options are nearly endless!  Depending on your teen’s interest and your family’s budget, camps range from the outdoor camps in northern states to marine exploration on ocean bottoms!  By the time they’ve reached adolescents, many teens are no longer satisfied with camps that offer the standard day trips, crafts, and activities.  If your teen is ready to try something different, check out some of these cool camps:

Florida Surf Lessons

Hang ten on a wave at a beach just across the peninsula!  Spend a week (or more) soaking up the sun while learning a cool new sport.  Locations all along the East coast of Florida make this an easily accessible camp.  Check out www.floridasurflessons.com.

ACTION Quest

Adventures reach around the globe!  Meet up with interesting creatures on the Galapagos Archipelagio Expeditions, explore the Great Barrier Reef and vast outback of Australia, or join a sailing expedition through the Tropical South Seas of Tahiti.  Complete details can be found at www.actionquest.com

America’s Adventure

Explore Alaska!  Set up a base camp to start your adventure.  Go sea kayaking, glacier climbing, hiking and more among the wilderness.  Other awesome destinations include Hawaii, Machu Picchu, Thailand, Europe and others.  Find an adventure at www.aave.com.

Wilderness Expeditions for Young Adults

Explore the wilderness of America’s Pacific Northwest.  Participate in activities such as coastal sailing, whitewater rafting, sea kayaking and more.  Spend part of your summer on the Appalachian Trail!  Visit www.williwawadventures.com today.

Adventure in the Canadian Rockies

Highlights of this camp include caving, mountaineering, rock climbing, backpacking and much more.  Adventures, excitement and lots of fun!  Go to www.yamuska.com for more information.

This small sampling is just the tip of the iceberg for teen adventure camps!  Yes, some camps sound more like a vacation and expose your teen to more culture than your entire family received on your last trip.  But teen camps have many options to meet the diverse needs of them and their families.  And the benefits of having your teen attend camp can be long lasting.  Sending your teen off to camp may reward you with the return of a responsible, caring, happier and more mature young adult.  Lessons learned and relationships that have been formed during camps can last a lifetime! 

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