Ever Thought of Going to Camp WITH Your Kids?

Summer camp is not just for lucky kids. There are many opportunities for parents and kids to go to family camp together.  After researching what opportunities exist, here is my list: 

The Crow Canyon Archaeological Center - Colorado

The Crow camp allows families to work with archaeologists and excavate artifacts from the Hovenweep National Monument. The program commences with a lab experience where families are taught how to identify artifacts. Parents and children bunk in log cabins on the 170-acre property and are treated to buffet style meals. This program is for kids 10 and up. For more information please call: 800-422-8975 or visit crowcanyon.org/archaeology

Jean-Michel Cousteau Family Camp - California

This camp is located in a Catalina Island cove. This camp is the work of renowned Oceanographer Jean-Michel Cousteau, son of Jacques Cousteau. Parents and their children participate in snorkeling trips and sail the coast. There is no minimum age for the camp. Accommodations include cabins with three buffet style meals per day. For more information please call: 626-296-4040 or visit catalinaislandcamps.com.

Space Camp - Alabama

Imagine training to be an astronaut with your kids! Space Camp provides campers with an opportunity to build and launch rockets, as well as experiencing a simulated moonwalk. Space Camps training begins at 8:00 AM every morning and does not end until 9:00 PM. Campers from the ages of 7-12 are welcome at the camp. For more information, please call: 1-800-63-SPACE or visit spacecamp.com.

Concordia Language Villages - Minnesota

Concordia is a language immersion program and does everything they can to make parents and children feel like they are in the cultures that they study. Campers are asked to speak the language that they are studying ALL day even during the family style meals. Staff is fluent and usually native speakers assist families in games, songs and crafts to reinforce skills. Cabins provide sleeping accommodations for families. For more information please call: 800-222-4750 or visit concordialanguagevillages.org. 

French Woods Festival of the Performing Arts - New York

The French Woods Festival camp has both traditional camping activities like horse back riding, swimming and biking but also allows parents and children to train in the performing arts. There are five theaters, a field house and even a circus pavilion. Where else can you learn tricks from a magician, fly on a trapeze or ride a unicycle? Children ages 6 and up are welcome to bunk with parents in cabins and enjoy three cafeteria-style meals per day. For more information, please call: 800-634-1703 or visit frenchwoods.com. Did I mention that they have a bowling alley, movie theatre and skate park???

Cliff McCrath's Northwest Soccer Camp - Washington

If you and your child are both into soccer this is for you! Soccer camp has 18 soccer fields and has coaches who are all US Soccer Federation-licensed. Kids are grouped according to ability and parents have their own sessions. One downside (or upside, depending!), parents and children are separated; parents enjoy private accommodations and kids bunk in dorms. If you and your kids from 7+ are interested please call: 425-644-0470 or visit nwsoccer.org. 

Paskowitz Surf Camp - California

Tourmaline Surfing Park provides the atmosphere for this surf camp at Pacific Beach. Surf Camp was the brainchild of the star of the Surfwise documentary, “Doc” Paskowitz. For ages 6 and up this camp is open to all skill levels, even beginners. Families will sleep in tents on Mission Beach in a private campground. Three meals and two surfing lessons each day round out this unique opportunity. For more information, please call: 949-728-1000 or visit paskowitz.com.

Yellowstone for Families at Mammoth Hot Springs - Wyoming

Instructors from the Yellowstone Association Institute staff the Yellowstone Camp. Hiking, identifying wildlife and marveling at the hot springs are only some of the things that families are encouraged to do at Yellowstone camp. Campers will enjoy rooms in the Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel. Two meals per day are provided for parents with children from the ages of 8-12. For more information, please call: 406-848-2400 or visit yellowstoneassociation.org/institute.

I hope to hear lots of great summer stories from families!