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Ahhh, summer camp...just the thought brings back memories of bunk beds, camp fires, bee stings, and great friends who you promised to keep in touch with during the school year. Parents - do you really want your 10-year old moping around the house this summer? We didn't think so. Here are a few summer camp options that make us wish we were a kid again:  Living Classrooms campers canoe on the C&O Canal - Image courtesy Living Classrooms Living Classrooms - National Capital RegionWhen your five year old returns home from school talking about water quality issues and biodiversity, Living Classrooms is probably to thank. Once school lets out for the summer, this organization brings their brand of environmental education to camp programs across the region. Discovery Creek, their summer camp program for children ages 4-10 years old, is based upon a simple concept: the best time to immerse your child in nature is at a young age. Living Classrooms also offers camp options for your 10-14 year old including a 7-day hike on the Appalachian Trail. Activities: Biology, environmental science, hiking Camp Ages: - Discovery Creek: 4-10 years old
- Discovery Adventure: 10-14 years old
Camp Location(s): - Discovery Creek: Battery Kimble Park, Glen Echo Park, Meadowlark Botanic Gardens
- Discovery Adventure: Kenilworth Park & Aquatic Gardens, Navy Yard (Living Classrooms headquarters), Half Shell boat (docked on the SW waterfront), Appalachian Trail
Camp Length: One week (Monday-Friday) Learn more and register >> Traveling Players Ensemble Traveling Players Ensemble campers relax on the theater grounds How does a Theatre camp make our list? For Jeanne Harrison, Founder and Director of Traveling Players Ensemble (TPE), the outdoors experience is essential to the development of young actors. "Theatre is the intersection of story-telling and ritual that arose from the "camp fire tradition." The camp fire and tent setting is very different than the stage - conversations are more intimate and honest. We try to bring the heightened sense of awareness from the outdoors to the stage."
- Jeanne Harrison Jeanne backs up her philosophy with Thursday night camp-outs, outdoor amphitheater performances, and 22 nights of camping for the Traveling Troupe. The stunning Potomac River setting of The Madeira School doesn't hurt either. Activities: Theatre training & performance, camping, hiking Camp Ages: Middle School (6th-8th graders) and High School (9th-12th graders) Camp Location(s): The Madeira School (Great Falls, VA) Camp Length: Varies; one week to seven weeks Learn more and register >> Adventure Links Adventure Links instructor and camper roped in - Image courtesy Adventure Links Labeling this summer camp as an "Adventure Camp" is a bit of an understatement. Adventure Links, best known for their High Ropes course in Hemlock Regional Park, spends the summer developing the next generation of Primal Quest athletes - one week at a time. Depending on the program selection, campers hike, backpack, kayak, mountain bike, cave, rock climb, sail, and last but not least, hurl themselves across a zip line. This year, Adventure Links is introducing two new "Expeditions," Boundary Waters and European Alpine Adventure. Activities: Team building, high ropes/challenge courses, camping, hiking, backpacking, kayaking, caving, mountain biking, rock climbing, sailing, and survival skills training Camp Ages: - Day Camps: 8-10 years old; 11-14 years old
- Overnight Camps: 11-14 years old
- Teen Expeditions: 14-17 years old
Camp Location(s): Hemlock Overlook Regional Park Camp Length: One week (Day and Overnight) or two weeks (Teen Expedition) Learn more and register >> And two more single-activity options from a couple of our Trail Voice friends: Sportrock Climbing CenterFrom birthday parties to Kid's Nite, Sportrock has always catered to the young climber. Summertime is no exception as Sportrock's 5-day camps kick into gear. Monday through Thursday is spent in the gym - on Friday, the climbing adventure moves to Great Falls Park. Learn more and register >> Potomac PaddlesportsWhitewater kayaking is not an easy sport to learn - we can attest to that fact. But what will take us months to learn, your teen can pick up in five days. Potomac Paddlesports hosts 5-day summer camps for three levels of young kayakers. While the main focus of the camp is of course whitewater kayaking, campers also learn about conservation, digital photography, and film editing. Learn more and register >> And one more bonus event for you or your teen: Outdoor Youth Summit and FestivalWhile not a summer camp by definition, we would be remiss not to mention this unprecedented event hosted by Outdoor Nation. On the weekend of June 19-20, 500 young leaders from across the nation will gather in New York City to set national priorities aimed at engaging the Millennial Generation with the outdoors - that's the "Summit" part. On Saturday, June 19th, the general public is invited to attend an outdoors festival in Central Park. Summit spots for 18-26 year old leaders (and younger with parent chaperone) are open and financial assistance is available. Non-profits are encouraged to sponsor attendees - if interested, contact
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