Cutting Edge Programs for Kids

In the last 15 years, summer programming for teens has become a very competitive industry. Each program must differentiate itself in some way and stay one step ahead of the curve. By this time, program directors have evaluated what worked best for their participants last summer and are now busy trying to be on the "cutting edge" for next summer. As an overnight camp and trip consultant, I have the opportunity each year to learn about these new and exciting teen programs at our company's annual meeting.

The directors informed us of some trends in the industry affecting their programs. First, there is a demand for shorter programs, or programs that can be pieced together. Why? Kids today have so much going on that programs have to be planned around summer school, sports commitments, or family vacations. As an example of this trend, your child could experience two weeks kickboxing in Thailand , coupled with another two weeks of soccer in Costa Rica . Second, we see that parents want a bigger "bang for the buck." Programs used to be strictly delineated between language programs, community service, and adventure. Today, you could choose one program in which your child could do all three. Additionally, academic programs used to be geared more for the academically mature child; now parents may demand more of a broad-based pre-college experience involving SAT prep, college tours and a taste of college life.

So, what's new for 2005?

Specialty Camps

Though a traditional camp is still the choice for many families, specialty camps with unusual offerings are popping up all over the place. It is not unusual to find offerings at these camps which include culinary arts, secret agent specialties, skateboarding, or robotics. However, it might surprise you that your son or daughter (age 9 -16 ) could go to Rock Star Camp or Hollywood Stunt Camp. As a rock star camper, your child could work side-by-side with professional songwriters, producers and dancers in state-of-the-art studios and hone their skills in hip hop, funk, Latin or break dancing. As a stunt camper, your child could learn exciting high falls, hand-to-hand combat or how to choreograph his/her own fight scene.

High School Courses for Credit

Maybe you feel that summer is too long for your child to go without formal academic learning. At some very reputable boarding schools, your child can bone up on English or Math, while still having all of the fun of summer through activities like mountain biking, horseback riding, technical rock climbing, or archery. These programs can be for credit, depending upon the length of the program and how your child's school accepts credit courses taken outside the school. These programs can be remedial or advanced.

Language programs

Though learning a foreign language is not a new concept, combining it with other interests in clearly a new phenomenon. Many language programs incorporate a home stay, where a student is matched with a family in order to reinforce the language of study while enriching the student's experience through cultural exchange and community service. Some students will forego the home stay experience to focus on another interest. Perhaps your child wants to study painting, photography or cooking while learning Italian. Or, maybe your child wants to study architecture in Switzerland while learning French. The opportunities are endless!

Travel Programs

While these programs used to be about visiting busy tourist attractions, some have morphed into mini think tanks, undertaking the study of global issues. One such program for next year will take students and turn them into global awareness "action corps" groups. They might study health care and AIDS in Senegal , or community development in El Salvador , or biodiversity in Ecuador . While in those countries, they would participate alongside local friends and experts before returning to the U.S. to develop and present plans for continuing action. This is not for the casual traveler!

College Campus Academic Study Programs

Whether purely for enrichment or college credit, academic programs are much in demand. They give high school students a taste of what it's like to live on a college campus. In addition to academic study, each program offers SAT Prep, college tours, a range of sports programs, visits to local attractions as well as weekend excursions to nearby cities. The directors of these programs are always looking to provide unusual course offerings. Course studies range from Crime Scene Investigation (made popular by the reality-based CSI programs ) to driver's education. Another program is offering a spring break program in leadership, intelligence and national security.

College Prep

Another trend we are starting to see is all-inclusive college prep workshops focusing on the college essay, preparing for college interviews, including individual sessions with advisors and college tours. One program even allows the high school student to explore different majors and minors during their stay, spending a full week on a major and minor of their interest. These more focused programs are held on college campuses and are from 10 days to 3 weeks in length. They are designed to give high school students a comprehensive approach to the college application process.

Internships

Does your child have a specific interest in a career path? Do you want them to gain experience in that field? If so, this is the option for your child. In an internship program, your child can work side by side with professionals in their area of interest - from Archaeology to Fashion Design, from Medical Research to Strategic Studies. Interns work in leading companies in London like Sotheby's, Barclays Bank and Bloomsbury Publishing ( home of Harry Potter ) . Up to now, this type of internship experience has been organized mainly in England , but now these types of internships are being offered in large U.S. cities, like New York City and Philadelphia , by reputable teen program directors. After their daily "work," the staff organizes evening activities and weekend excursions for the kids. They are housed on safe college campuses.

Whatever type of program you and your child choose, you want it to be a well-run, well-supervised, enriching experience. With all of the choices available, it can be helpful to talk to a consultant, search the internet, or visit a camp fair. The St. Louis Summer Opportunities Fair is at MICDS on Saturday, January 29 th . Many programs will be represented there, but it can be a slightly daunting experience for a first-timer. Do some research ahead of time and make your time there more efficient. Happy camping!

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Jenny Wolkowitz is the Midwest consultant for Tips on Trips and Camps and can be reached at (314 ) 432-8642 or jenny@TipsonTripsandCamps.com .  Wolkowitz is married and the mother of 3 children.  In her earlier years, she was a day camper, an overnight camper, a counselor, a teen tour participant and a teen tour leader.  She studied abroad in college and has traveled extensively throughout the world.  She currently serves as Chairperson for a local day camp and on the boards of many community organizations.