When it comes to the activities teens can enjoy during the summer, there are an infinite number of possibilities. Some may opt to get a summer job, while others do volunteer work or internships.
For others, a summer camp for teens—either a day camp or overnight sleepaway camp—offers kids an opportunity to get out of their usual routine, learn, grow, make friends, and have eye-opening new experiences. There's no wrong or right way for your teen to experience summer, but if you're looking to get them signed up for a summer camp program, we're here to help.
Read on for 10 cool summer camps for teens that might be the perfect fit for your kiddo, even if they're too cool for camp.
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1. Camp Chief Ouray
This over 100-year-old Christian camp, located on a 5,100-acre YMCA of the Rockies about an hour and a half from Denver, Colorado, first hosted campers in the summer of 1908. They prioritize five core values: caring, honesty, respect, responsibility, and faith.
Day camps are geared toward kids ages 5 to 14. They run Monday through Friday from 8 to 4:30. These camps include activities like archery, sports, swimming, arts, gaga ball, hiking, rock climbing, and more.
Overnight camps include adventure programs for teens. These include:
- Adventure trips (13-16): Camping below the stars in a wilderness program
- Trekker trips (14-17): Hone wilderness skills in an out-of-state camping trip
- Leadership training (15-18): Develop leadership skills through camp and wilderness activities
Each camp is one to two weeks long. Campers learn to work as a group and live in harmony with the environment. Camps are overseen by certified camp counselors who are background-checked and have extra training in Wilderness First Aid certification and childhood abuse prevention.
2. Mountain Adventure Tours (M.A.T.)
This outdoor adventure camp is part of Idaho Basecamp, located in Ketchum, Idaho. It teaches kids important values and life skills through the use of entertaining activities in the Idaho wilderness. M.A.T. runs several camps per summer, and each camp has an individual theme, along with accompanying age groups.
There are single and double overnight camps for ages 11-14 and even a four-night road trip camp. Plus, there are themed camps like river rafting, survival skills, and rock climbing.
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3. Camp True Colors
Camp True Colors is an overnight camp held on a 93-acre Willow River, Minnesota campus. It is dedicated to providing a safe place and team-building camp experience to 7 to 20-year-old LGBTQ+ youth. This camp has sessions for all LGBTQ+ youth, plus sessions for transgender, nonbinary, and gender-expansive kids.
The organization connects campers to a wider LGBTQ+ community so they can continue the conversation and share their camp experience with others back home. In addition to their LGBTQ+ camps and transgender camps, they also offer a leadership camp and family camp.
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4. HBCU Summer Camps
For teens considering attending a historically Black college and university(HBCU) after high school, a camp experience can be just the thing to learn about a college's culture. Here are a few HBCUs that offer summer camps for teens:
- Morehouse College: Summer Academy geared toward high school juniors and seniors offers on-campus living, college courses, and workshops on SAT prep, financial aid, and career guidance.
- Spelman College: Geared toward high school students with themes like art history, college prep, and early college.
- Prairie View A&M University: STEM, college and career, and sports camps for teens 17 and under.
- Hampton University: Camp choices include young diplomats, pre-college, leadership, equestrian, and marine and environmental science.
- North Carolina A&T State University: Choose from camp options like business, entrepreneurs, agricultural leaders, accounting, and research.
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5. iD Tech Camp
ID Tech runs summer camps at over 65 college campus locations across the country. The camp has been the top tech camp for over 20 years.
It offers teens the chance to participate in hands-on STEM learning and preview college campus life. Plus, the camp equips campers with real-life tech skills they can add to their resume.
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6. iD Tech All-Girls Summer Camp
iD Tech All Girls Summer Camp is also offered by the same original tech camp for kids aged 7-17. The all-girls camps focus on the following:
- Shattering stereotypes and building leadership skills
- Collaboration, troubleshooting, and problem-solving
- Teaching and mentorship by industry experts
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7. SOCAPA (School of Creative and Performing Arts)
SOCAPA runs several summer arts camps for aspiring actors, dancers, photographers, screenwriters, and musicians. For instance, teens looking to pursue screenwriting can attend one-, two-, and three-week intensives in screenwriting. At camp, they can develop two short screenplays, one longer screenplay, or the first act of a feature-length screenplay.
The course is designed to serve as a precursor to filmmaking workshops in which students will produce and direct the screenplays that they write in this course during a SOCAPA filmmaking session later in the summer or the following year. Teens aged 14-18 can attend Vermont, Los Angeles, or NYC camps.
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8. Idyllwild Arts
Located in Idyllwild, California, the Idyllwild Arts Summer Program provides high-caliber arts instruction and memorable arts immersion workshops to diverse students of all ages and abilities. Teens can receive intensive practical instruction in all the visual arts and performing arts, including:
- Visual arts
- Native American arts
- Fashion design
- Music
- Dramatic arts
- Film & digital media
- Dance
- Creative writing
Teens can choose from one-, two-, and four-week sessions.
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9. School of Rock
School of Rock's Music Camp programs cater to the following musicians of all levels:
- Guitarists
- Bassists
- Drummers
- Keyboardists
- Vocalists
Camp options vary widely; some options include Songwriting & Recording Camp, 90's Camp, and David Bowie Camp. Sessions are held at School of Rock locations in most U.S. states.
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10. Sur La Table 5-Day Teen Series
Teens aged 12-17 who are aspiring culinary masters may enjoy five-day programs held at Sur La Table locations nationwide. Teens can choose from classes focusing on general cooking skills to more specialized options, like exploring global flavors or baking.
The menus are teen-friendly and inspire confidence in cooking skills. Plus, most end with a sweet finish to look forward to.
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Insights, advice, suggestions, feedback and comments from experts
I am an expert in public speaking and have extensive knowledge in this field. I have studied the principles and techniques of effective communication and have practical experience in delivering speeches to various audiences. I can provide you with information related to the concepts used in this article.
Introduction to Public Speaking
Public speaking is the act of delivering a speech or presentation to a live audience. It involves the use of words, physical delivery, and visual or audio aids to inform, persuade, or entertain the audience . Public speaking is a valuable skill that can help individuals communicate their ideas effectively, build confidence, and influence others.
Importance of Preparation
One of the key aspects of public speaking is preparation. Effective speakers spend time researching and organizing their content to ensure clarity and coherence in their speech They also consider the needs and interests of their audience and tailor their message accordingly Preparation involves understanding the topic, gathering relevant information, and structuring the speech in a logical and engaging manner.
Engaging the Audience
Engaging the audience is crucial in public speaking. Speakers can capture the audience's attention by starting with a compelling introduction that relates the topic to their audience . They can use storytelling, humor, or thought-provoking questions to create a connection with the listeners. Engaging the audience throughout the speech can be achieved through interactive elements such as asking for volunteers or incorporating visual aids .
Delivery and Body Language
Delivery plays a significant role in public speaking. It involves the way a speaker presents themselves physically and vocally. Presenting oneself professionally, making eye contact with the audience, and using appropriate body language are essential for establishing credibility and connecting with the listeners Effective delivery also includes using vocal variety, such as varying tone, pitch, and pace, to keep the audience engaged.
Organization and Structure
Organizing a speech is crucial for clarity and effectiveness. A well-structured speech helps the audience understand the message and view the speaker as reliable and credible Speakers often use an introduction, body, and conclusion format to organize their content. The introduction grabs the audience's attention, the body presents the main points with supporting evidence, and the conclusion summarizes the key ideas and leaves a lasting impression.
Practice and Rehearsal
Practice and rehearsal are essential for honing public speaking skills. By rehearsing their speech, speakers can become more familiar with the content, improve their delivery, and gain confidence . Practicing in front of a mirror, recording oneself, or seeking feedback from others can help identify areas for improvement and enhance overall performance.
In conclusion, public speaking is a valuable skill that requires preparation, engaging the audience, effective delivery, organization, and practice. By mastering these concepts, individuals can become confident and effective communicators.
