UiC Kids Camp Guide
By: Stacy Gusek
Just the other day I watched one of my favorite childhood movies, the original Parent Trap. I'm instantly transported back to my youth - giggling at the pranks we pulled, reminiscing about the friendships we made, wondering what all those pen pals (yes, we wrote letters) are doing and I'm still benefitting from the lessons I learned. Camp for me was a time of real personal growth, independence and a coming of age if you will.
Countless research on the benefits of summer camp has conclusively validated 150 years of conventional wisdom. Camp accelerates the development of young people's social skills, self-esteem, independence, spirituality, sense of adventure and environmental awareness. Astute camp directors know that combining community living away from home with a natural setting and a recreational premise creates hearty, happy, healthy children who know how to work together, win with humility and lose with grace. They become resilient, motivated, and emotionally intelligent.
Some would have us believe that fun learning is an oxymoron anywhere beyond preschool. Happiness is not a quaint byproduct of leisure; it's the driving force behind success. We do our best - at work, at play, and in relationships - when we're having fun. From that standpoint, Summer Camp becomes the perfect complement to traditional education. To Harvard University's president, Charles W. Eliot, this was clear in 1922 when he declared, "The organized summer camp is the most important step in education that America has given the world." Parents should know that Eliot's wise words pale in comparison to the words of enthusiasm that young people routinely use to describe their camp experience, such as:
"At camp, I make friends easily."
"At camp, I get to try new things...stuff that might not be cool at school."
"At camp, the pressures of school disappear and I can just relax and have fun."
"At camp, I can be a leader by setting a good example for my friends."
"At camp, I feel close to nature and to the planet."
"At camp, I get to be myself."
You might be surprised to know that it is this last response, "At camp, I get to be myself," that holds the most transformative power for youth. When boys and girls find their authentic voices in a safe, nurturing and challenging environment, they experience a rush of self-confidence. This self-confidence then carries forward into other domains at home, school and beyond. It fuels their willingness to explore and learn, which is a key predictor of later success.
My little man is only 5, but I can't wait to send him off on his first summer adventure and hear all the amazing stories he'll tell upon his return. I'll have to gauge what percent is truth and what is fiction... but nonetheless, I'll be on the edge of my seat to hear the tale. Take a peek at our camp listings and advertisers in this issue, browse their offerings, check out their sites, give them a call and bend their ear with a few questions. There are so many types of camps available, you're sure to find one that's perfect for YOU and your child.
This is an excerpt from an article originally published in the 2011 November/December issue of Camping Magazine. Reprinted by permission of the American Camp Association. ©2011 American Camping Association, Inc | Dr. Christopher Thurber is a board-certified clinical psychologist and the co-author of The Summer Camp Handbook, available for free at SummerCampHandbook.com. He is also the co-founder of the leading online staff training website, ExpertOnlineTraining.com and the host of a homesickness prevention DVD-CD set called The Secret Ingredients of Summer Camp Success. Visit CampSpirit.com to learn more.
Canongate Golf Club Summer Junior Golf Camp
Director: Jim Goergen
Windermere Golf Club
5000 Davis Love Dr. | Cumming, GA 30041
678-877-0917
www.cgperformancecenters.com
2012 Summer Sessions:
June 4-7 | June 18-21
July 16-19 | July 23-26
Cultural Focus: To promote sportsmanship, hard-work and determination on and off the course.
Activities: Four days of fun learning the game of a lifetime! Instruction on Set-Up, Full-Swing, Putting & Chipping, Full-Swing focus on irons and woods, Wedge Play, Pitching and Bunkers.
Cost: Members: $165 per child. Non-Member & Guest: $200 per child. Multi-Child Discount: $20. Multi-Camp Discount: $20. Discounts not to exceed $20.
Lake Lanier Islands Resort 8th Annual Summer Horse Camp
Director: Beth Pedaggi
7000 Lanier Islands Parkway
Lake Lanier Islands, GA 30518
770-932-7233; bpedaggi@llimail.com
www.lakelanierislands.com
May 28th - August 3rd (Weekly) 9am-4pm
Cultural Focus: To instill confidence on the ground, as well as in the saddle; teaching common sense horsemanship in a fun and friendly atmosphere.
Activities: English and Western riding techniques; arts and crafts, pony painting, swimming with the ponies, and Gymkhana (relay race on horseback). Swimming fun at LanierWorld waterpark is included. Parent's Day on Fridays, complete with riding demonstrations and awards.
Optional Activities: (+ $25 ea) Masterpiece Mixer Horse Art, Paddleboarding or (+ $35) Zip Lining.
Cost: $425/week | Ages 7-14
Riverview Camp for Girls: A Traditional Overnight Camp Experience
Director: Susan Hooks
P.O. Box 299
Mentone, AL 35984
800.882.0722; info@riverviewcamp.com
www.riverviewcamp.com
1 - 2 Week Sessions | Ages 6 - 16
Cultural Focus: As a Christian camp, "we empower young girls to make good decisions," states director Susan Hooks. About 70-80% of the counselors grew up attending the camp. "Our staff is a gift," says Hooks, reverently.
Activities: Recognized as one of the Southeast's best all-around camps for girls, the offerings are endless! The girls experience horseback riding, swimming, rope courses, tennis, canoeing, golf, team sports, gymnastics, archery, dance, arts and crafts, knitting, riflery, chorus, drama, cheerleading, outdoor living skills, nightly campfire and more.
Optional Trips & Add-on Packages Available.
YMCA Camp Greenville
Director: Rick Burris
100 YMCA Camp Rd | Cleveland, SC 29635
864.836.3291; www.campgreenville.org
camper_services@ymcagreenville.org
Cultural Focus: Christianity - Following the example of Christ, YMCA Camp Greenville builds healthy spirit, mind and body for all.
Activities: Swimming in a refreshing mountain lake, western horseback riding with scenic vistas, chapel services on top of a bluff, making good friends you will keep for life, learning from great role models, joining 100 years of tradition, doing adventurous things like canoeing, kayaking, whitewater rafting, backpacking, caving, mountain biking and rock climbing, wilderness trips for teens, leadership development and service learning, nightly devotions with your cabin group, and memories to last a lifetime.
Artistic Adventures Pottery and Art Attack Camps
Director: Jayme Teague
1581 James Burgess Road | Suwanee, GA 30024
404-642-6564; www.artistic-adventures.com
Call for more info and complete camp offerings.
June 4 - August 3 (Weekly)
Cumming Dance Academy Summer Camps
Director: Niki J. Watkins
419 Tribble Gap Rd. | Cumming, GA 30040
770-781-4922; www.cummingdanceacademy.com
Call for more info and complete camp offerings.
June 25-29, July 16-20, July 23-27
Cumming First United Methodist Church Summer Camps
Director: Cherie Perkins
770 Canton Highway | Cumming, GA 30040
770-887-2900; www.cfumcga.com
Call for more info and complete camp offerings.
June 4 - July 27
Forsyth County Family YMCA
YMCA Camp Eagle Point, YMCA Covenant Christian,
YMCA Summer Sports Programs
6050 Y Street | Cumming, GA 30040
770-888-2788; www.ymcadaycamping.com
Call for more info and complete camp offerings.
Early registration for Tee ball/Baseball starts March 24.
Forsyth County Parks and Recreation Summer Day Camp
Main Office: 770-781-2215 | www.forsythco.com/parks
PO BOX 2417 | Cumming, GA 30028
Camp Locations (Rec Centers):
Central Park, Fowler Park, Old Atlanta
Call for more info and complete camp offerings
N. Forsyth UMC
VBS "Babylon, Daniel's Courage in Captivity"
Director: Tracey Small
6150 Hwy 400 | Cumming GA 30041
678.591.1545; www.northforsythumc.org
Free snack dinner; 5:30pm in Fellowship Hall. ALL ages welcome! Call for early registration.
June 24 - June 28| 6pm - 8pm
Rock School Music Performance Camp
Director: Alex Perez
5185 Browns Bridge Road
Cumming, GA 300
678-400-0606; www.notetoselfmusic.com/rockschool
Call for more info and complete camp offerings.
Spring Break Camp: April 2-6 | Summer Camps
Sawnee School of Ballet Summer Dance Camps
Director: Joan Kall Stewart
433 Canton Rd. Suite #312
Cumming, GA 30040
770-887-0756; www.sawneeschoolofballet.com
Call 770-887-0756for more info and complete camp offerings.
June 11-15, June 18-22, June 11-22, July 9-13
Stars and Strikes Kids Bowling Ages 5+
Main Office: 678-965-5707
133 Merchants Square
Cumming, GA 30040
www.starsandstrikes.com
Visit website for dates and camp forms.
Call for more info and complete camp offerings.
TNT "Dynamite Stables" (formerly Trot 'n Tots)
Summer Horseback Riding Camp
Director: Brittany Wilcox
5260 Picklesimer Rd. | Cumming, GA 30041
678-977-8553; brittany@trotntot.com
www.tntstables.com/seasonalcamps.html. Visit website to register and for more info. $35 Early Registration Discount ends March 31st. Camps Start June | All Ages & Riding Levels
Read our Online Exclusive for more great camp information here.
