Off the Beaten Trail
What if your child loves llamas? Can't get enough of oceanography? Or wants to become the next Rachael Ray? Believe it or not, there's a camp for him or her - and kids with other eclectic tastes. Here's a glimpse of some specialized overnight and day offerings around New England.
THE ACROBAT
Circus Smirkus, in Craftsbury Common, Vermont
WHEN: First session, June 20
AGES: 6-18
WHAT THEY'LL DO: Learn everything from the art of pie-in-the-face to riding unicycles and walking on a wire.
COST: Overnight campers only; two days for $345, up to $1,895 for two weeks; 802-533-7443; smirkus.org
THE SPORTSCASTER
Sports Broadcasting Camp at Boston University
WHEN: July 21-25
AGES: 10-18
WHAT THEY'LL DO: Write and edit copy, conduct interviews, do play-by-play, meet area TV personalities and pro athletes.
COST: $485 for day campers, $1,025 for overnight campers; 800-319-0884; playbyplaycamps.com
THE LLAMA LOVER
Hidden Valley Camp in Freedom, Maine
WHEN: First session, June 28
AGES: 8-14
WHAT THEY'LL DO: Care for and groom llamas and other animals; participate in creative and performing arts as well as outdoor activities.
COST: Overnight campers only; $4,390 for four weeks, up to $7,390 for eight weeks; 207-342-5177 or 800-922-6737; hiddenvalleycamp.com
THE HOOPSTER
Sarah Behn Basketball Camp (statewide, with multiple locations)
WHEN: First day camp, July 7; first overnight camp, July 27
AGES: 6-17
WHAT THEY'LL DO: At one of the few sports camps just for girls, they'll hone their fundamentals and build confidence.
COST: $175-$350 per day for day campers, $685 per week for overnight campers; 508-549-0997; behncamp.com
THE MARINE SCIENTIST
Acadia Institute of Oceanography, Seal Harbor, Maine
WHEN: First session, June 15
AGES: 10-19
WHAT THEY'LL DO: Study tidal pools and salt marshes, go snorkeling and whale watching, explore marine-science careers.
COST: Overnight campers only; $995 for one week, $2,100 for two weeks; 800-375-0058; acadiainstitute.com
THE CHEF
Camp Med-O-Lark, in Washington, Maine
WHEN: First session, June 27
AGES: 8-16
WHAT THEY'LL DO: At this wide-ranging arts camp, they learn different styles of cooking - from brick-oven pizza to homemade pastries - as taught by chefs and nutritionists.
COST: Overnight campers only; $2,650 for two weeks, up to $7,950 for eight weeks; 207-845-2555 or 800-292-7757; medolark.com
THE COMPUTER GEEK
iD Tech Camps (locations in Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Connecticut)
WHEN: First session at MIT, June 23
AGES: 7-17
WHAT THEY'LL DO: Design websites, produce digital videos, program robots. Available for beginners through advanced campers.
COST: $749 for a week for day campers, $1,169 for overnight campers; 408-871-2227 or 888-709-8324; internaldrive.com
THE OUTSPOKEN GIRL
A Voice of Her Own, in Greenfield
WHEN: July 14-18
AGES: Girls 11-17
WHAT THEY'LL DO: At the Stoneleigh-Burnham School, they'll focus on improving their public speaking, debating, and critical-thinking skills.
COST: Overnight campers only; $400; 413-774-2711; sbschool.org/public_speaking
THE CALORIE-CONSCIOUS
Camp Kingsmont, in Amherst
WHEN: First session, June 22
AGES: 7-17
WHAT THEY'LL DO: At this "fit camp," not fat camp, they'll learn to make healthy lifestyle choices in a fun, supportive environment from staffers who can relate.
COST: Overnight campers only; $1,050 for one week, up to $5,950 for seven weeks; 703-288-0047 or 877-348-2267; campkingsmont.com
THE ROCK STAR
DayJams, in Newton and Medford
WHEN: First session, July 7
AGES: 8-15
WHAT THEY'LL DO: Learn instruments, write and record songs, play in a band, and stage a concert on the last day. Open to beginners and advanced players.
COST: Day campers only; $550 for one week, up to $1,530 for three weeks; 800-295-5956; dayjams.com
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