Beyond Kumbaya

Specialty camps target budding artists, athletes and more

By Janis Hashe

Believe it or not, it’s time to start thinking about summer camp again. Our area is especially rich in camp opportunities of all kinds—so how do you and your child choose?

First, are you looking at sleepaway (resident) or day camps? According to the American Camping Association, of the estimated 12,000 American camps, approximately 7,000 are resident camps and 5,000 are day camps.

Participants in the more traditional resident camps may stay there from several days to several weeks, according to the ACA, sleeping in “cabins, tents, tepees or other forms of shelter,” and participating in a variety of supervised activities.

The ACA has noted a steady rise in participation in day camps: “Having grown by nearly 90 percent in the past 20 years, day camps offer sessions and age-appropriate programs similar to resident camps. Campers are often transported to camp by a bus or van, and return home each day in the late afternoon.”

In an ACA survey, 75 percent of camp directors reported adding new activities and programs over the last few years. According to the survey, “The most common program trends in camps are challenging and adventurous activities, including high and low ropes courses, climbing walls, zip lines, backpacking, mountain biking, and cave exploring. There is also an increased emphasis on performing arts and fine arts such as dance, theater, singing, ceramics, leather crafts, woodworking, photography, etc.”

Many parents find that day camp programs fit more easily into a summer schedule that may also include family vacations and grandparent visits. If day camp is your choice, there is something out there for almost every interest. The website SummerCampsInfo.com breaks specialty day camps into several main categories:

Academic camps

An academic camp gives kids the opportunity to focus on specific areas of academic interest. These camps focus on everything from general subjects like math or science to cutting-edge technologies like 3-D animation and video game design. Some even offer programs in paleontology, environmental studies or aviation.

Chattanooga mom Debra Price’s son Zachary, now 11, has attended UTC Youth University for several years, taking sessions in both academics and sports. Debra really likes the program for the flexibility it offers working parents and the varied curriculum. “It’s an excellent choice for a family looking to provide a well-rounded experience,” she says. “Zachary took both math-related and art-related classes and really enjoyed them.”

Adventure camps

“Many summer camps advertise under the ‘adventure camp’ category,” notes SummerCampInfo.com, “but a true adventure camp offers more than standard activities, such as rock climbing, high-ropes courses, kayaking or mountain biking.” Adventure camps offer kids once-in-a-lifetime opportunities to learn something specific. Here in Chattanooga, our exceptional natural amenities mean your child has a wide choice of adventure camps.

Technology camps

Technology camps offer programs in digital photography, graphic design, animation, computer programming and more. Some specialize in offering video-game development or digital film production. Kids who are already fascinated by technology can explore new ways to put their interest to use.

Art camps

An art camp is a great way to encourage your child’s creativity. “Art camps, like adventure camps, are different in that they specialize in helping kids develop their specific abilities,” notes SummerCampInfo.com. Programs are offered in dance, singing, acting, creative writing, film production, painting, sculpture and other disciplines.

Ten-year-old Conner Vlietstra attended the Hunter Museum Art Camp for two weeks last summer, says mom Cameille Vlietstra. “Conner is really into art. He loves to draw, and has painted murals on his bedroom walls,” says Cameille. The all-day camp was not too much for Conner, she says. “When the Hunter is your camp, there’s lots to see and do. He didn’t want to come home.” The campers learned about many different art media, she adds. “If your child likes art, the camps are wonderful ways for them to explore their talent and imagination.”

Linda England says “Going to Grandma’s House,” a collaboration between the Hunter and the Creative Discovery Museum, was a favorite for her two children, who have attended CDM camp for the past several years.” During the week of “Grandma’s House,” she says, they learned about Grandma Moses through an exhibit at the Hunter, learned about various art forms from local artists, went on a field trip to a corn maze, and made homemade ice cream.

“They are always so excited to go to camp,” Linda says. “To them, it’s like going on vacation.”

Religious-specific camps

Explains SummerCampInfo.com: “Religious-specific camps offer many of the same programs as a typical summer camp, but include scheduled time for religious study through preaching, music and small-group settings.”

There is a wide range of these camps available in the Chattanooga area, offering a variety of programs including sports, arts and crafts, and traditional camp activities.

Special-needs camps

“Whether the needs are physical, mental or emotional, special-needs camps create environments that cater to their campers,” states SummerCampInfo.com. “Most have a lower camper-to-staff ratio, allowing for more individualized attention and care. The staff is usually chosen based on their experience with and enjoyment of working with special-needs kids. And the programs are developed to help kids experience as much of the ‘summer camp’ life as possible.”

George Andrews speaks extremely highly of 15-year-old Alex’s experiences at the Tennessee Camp for Diabetic Children, a sleepaway camp in Soddy-Daisy, Tenn. “He first went to the camp when he was 9,” George says, “and now, for him, not going is not an option.”

Noting that Alex really enjoyed being around other kids who were also testing and using insulin, George praised the counselors, many of whom are former campers. The camp offers a chance for anxious parents to “let go a little,” he says.

Activities at the camp include newer sports, like mountain biking, as well as traditional ones, like archery and canoeing. During one outing, Alex lost his insulin pump in the lake, and the camp hired a diver to find it. Eventually, the pump was replaced by the equipment representatives who visit the camp regularly. “The point is, the camp knew how to handle it, and Alex learned from the experience,” George says.

Sports camps

Some sports camps are more specialized than others, and availability depends on the sport. Archery, for example, is offered at nearly all standard summer camps; while rowing or ice-climbing programs will be more limited.

“If your child is interested in attending a sports camp, take into consideration what he or she is hoping to gain from the experience. If he wants to improve his performance, you’ll want to find a camp that offers specific instruction,” suggests SummerCampInfo.com.

Lee Ann Adams’s son Hunter, now 8, first attended half-day baseball camp at McCallie last summer. Hunter enjoyed the chance to be around the varsity baseball players, she says. The campers learn fundamentals, then work on putting into practice what they’ve learned during scrimmage games, which were Hunter’s favorite part of camp. “I asked him if he felt he was now a better player, and he said, ‘Yes,’” Lee Ann says. “He also has more confidence.”

Hunter loves baseball, and beyond just refining his sport, he is learning teamwork and persistence, she notes. “Their coach told them about how many times he’d been cut from teams before he made it, and that inspired Hunter to work on his skills,” Lee Ann says, adding that her younger son James, 5, is looking forward to being old enough to go.

“We did a little something different last year,” offers mom Lisa Miller. “My son loves baseball, and we often attend Daytona Cubs (single-A advanced club) games while vacationing in Florida. Last spring I registered my son, Rhys, for a three-day, half-day each day baseball camp with the Cubs. He loved it! He got to participate in drills and contests with the Cubs (players and coaches), was given passes to the games for that week, and received a T-shirt, poster and certificate of completion. Normal summer camp kind of stuff, but he thought it was awesome to get to practice with professional players. I gave it to him as part of his 11th birthday. He loves the beach but didn’t mind missing out on three mornings of beach time.”

All the parents we interviewed emphasized making sure that the specialty camp you choose is right for your child. Is he ready for a full day, or is he still better off with a half day? What kind of before- and after-care does the camp offer? Who are the instructors/counselors, and what are their qualifications? Spending some time doing your research—and talking with your child—can help ensure the camp experience is something they remember forever, and are eager to return to next year.

For more information about specialty camps, visit ACACamps.org and SummerCampInfo.com.