by Erika Rasmusson Janes

ention the word "camp" and most parents have images of canoe rides and singing "Kumbaya" around the campfire. Those traditional and much loved forays are certainly easy to find: There are more than 12,000 overnight and day-camp programs in the United States, according to the American Camp Association (ACA).

But when it comes to summer adventure, kids looking to do more than play capture the flag and roast marshmallows have got some intriguing options. "Specialty summer programs and camps are a growing part of the camping industry," says Jill Tipograph, director of Everything Summer®, a - New Jersey and New York - based private summer program and camp consultancy.

They offer teens and tweens many of the benefits of a traditional camp - like increasing confidence and making new friends - while also cultivating specialized skills in a stimulating, developmental environment.

Such programs are geared for kids who are already camp-savvy and who have enough emotional maturity to handle a little challenge. "Specialty summer experiences and camps tend to focus more on personal skills growth," say Tipograph.

Choosing the right camp experience for your child can be daunting, so we've researched a few that offer life-expanding experiences in three areas that many kids would find both enticing and educational: outdoor adventure, health and fitness, and community service.

Published in Experience Life (www.lifetimefitness.com/magazine) in September 2005; copyright
Experience Life 2005.