How do you choose from among the thousands of overnight programs, camps and trips out there? Ask an expert like Helene Abrams.
OVERNIGHT CAMPS AND PROGRAMS
Helene Abrams’ Tips on Trips and Camps, a free advisory service, represents more than 600 overnight summer camps, trips and programs for students ages 8-18. These run the gamut from traditional and specialty camps to student travel and language immersion, from sports and cultural exploration to STEM programs and outdoor adventure and community service across the globe. Choose from internships and academic study on college campuses in the U.S. and abroad, music camps, digital media and robotics programs. There are overnight camps, pre-college programs, sailing and wilderness adventures, teen tours, biking, creative and performing arts programs, and camps that are perfect for those with special needs.
Oxbridge Academic Programs
Oxbridge has been welcoming intellectually adventurous high school and junior high school students to summer study programs in Europe and the United States for over 30 years. Students from over 80 countries are housed and educated in great and historic centers of learning, including Oxford and Cambridge in England, St. Andrews in Scotland, Barcelona and Salamanca in Spain, Paris and Montpellier in France, and New York City, Boston, and Los Angeles in the United States, while exploring new cultural surroundings.
Oxbridge offers over 160 courses – a dazzling variety of humanities, sciences, social sciences, professional, and creative subjects – transcending traditional classroom limitations and school curricula.
Rustic Pathways
Rustic Pathways is a 33-year leader in the student travel industry and was named the Best Youth Tour Operator by the 2015 World Youth Student and Educational Conference. They offer one- to three-week experiences, gap year programs and private group trips in 18 different countries. Each program is carefully designed to help students have meaningful travel experiences, identify interests, gain confidence and grow as individuals.
Julian Krinsky Camps & Programs
Krinsky Camps & Programs redefines the summer experience with programs in business, cooking, fashion, art, science and more. Students aged 10 to 18 can “Test Drive” over 20 programs offered at University of Pennsylvania, Villanova University and Haverford College.
French Woods
French Woods is a fully individualized, dynamic program focused on the performing arts with flexible session dates. Founder Ron Schaefer’s vision is fully realized and updated to cover not just the performing arts, but nearly every activity, from the visual arts, circus arts, skateboarding, magic, sports, and of course, the theatre, dance and music programs that French Woods is famous for.
Summer Discovery
Summer Discovery offers pre-college enrichment and business institutes from coast-to-coast, including UCLA, University of Texas, Penn State, Georgetown, Johns Hopkins, and Pace NYC. Their study abroad programs offer cultural immersion, language learning and expanding horizons. Each campus has its own leadership team and dedicated advisors, teachers and professionals.
Discovery Internships
Flair for fashion? Apply for an internship in the fashion capital – London, England.
Budding entrepreneur? Intern in Boston in medicine, local government, sports and more. Over 1,000 unique opportunities are available in Boston, NYC and London. Discoveryinternships.com
Local Camps and Programs
There are literally hundreds of local camps and programs to select from. Here is a sampling of some of our faves.
Dallas young artists (dya)
Singing! Dancing! Acting! Dallas Young Artists presents a three-week creative and fun musical theatre experience under the guidance of professionals in the musical theatre field. Dallas Young Artists gives your child (3rd grade – 12th grade) great opportunities to learn, grow, make friends and create memories that will last a lifetime. Classes are offered in acting, music, dance and crafts, and there is also the opportunity to perform in a full-length musical. The camp’s Fun Fridays offer performances by local professionals and a chance for high school students to audition for local producers and receive feedback.
J’s Art Camp
J’s Art Camp has been teaching fun, creative art classes in the North Dallas/Richardson/Plano area for over 20 years, encouraging students to explore many different art media while teaching technical skills in acrylic, oil and watercolor painting, drawing, clay, and sculpture, as well as sewing, charcoal, and many others. Experienced, nurturing teachers in small classes help the artists realize their true creative potential. J’s teaches kids and adult art classes and organizes art parties, too.
Prince of Peace Christian School
Prince of Peace Christian School and Early Learning Center offers Camping in the Zone—over 80 camps including Science, Athletics, Lego, Cooking, Academic, Chess and many more.
John Paul II HS
John Paul II High School offers Summer Enrichment Athletic Camps for Basketball, Football, Soccer, Softball, Strength and Conditioning, Tennis and Volleyball.
johnpauliihs.org/johnpaul/campuslife/summer-programs
Fusion Academy
Finally, a summer school that won’t take away your summer fun! Your child can take one class or tackle a whole semester this summer. Catch up on missed credits, retake a class, get ahead before next semester, or supplement a homeschool program with an art, music or lab class.
Fusion Academy has over 250 courses for your teen or tween to choose from, all taught one-to-one: one student to one teacher, always. This allows Fusion to personalize curriculum and teaching for each student’s individual strengths, interests and learning style. Fusion serves middle and high school students who crave a flexible customized learning environment.
Learn more at fusionsummerclass.com
