Setting up camp By April Lehmbeck Some children pack their bags and head off for an adventure in the woods each summer, but summer camp opportunities aren’t limited to roasting marshmallows under the stars. Today’s summer camp programs allow children to spend their summers on a baseball diamond, on the stage or hovering over a microscope. Parents can hunt down the perfect summer camp opportunity for their children, whether that takes kids away from home for a week or just a few hours a day. The American Camp Association Web site states that the number of day and extended stay camps in the country exceeds 12,000, which means there is something for everyone. Camps are such an American tradition that some, like Gaylord’s Camp Sancta Maria, have been greeting new campers each year for decades. Camp Sancta Maria, a Catholic camp that opens its cabins to others as well, is celebrating 75 years this year. With acres of property that sits on a lake, this is the typical summer camp experience many remember as children. “We use the lake for canoeing, swimming,” said Andrew Dawson, associate director of the camp. “We do horseback riding. We have a high ropes course, a climbing wall. “It’s a very much of an outdoorsy experience, so we keep them very busy,” he said. Children come out for one- or two-week sessions, with some staying for multiple sessions. While the camp caters mostly to boys between 8 and 16 years old, there is a girls week, and mother-daughter and father-son weekends as well, Dawson said. They also host trips to Mackinac Island. The cabins hold from 12 to 18 campers each, and the sessions run from the middle of June to the end of August. “We hope that they get not only an experience of living in a community atmosphere … they have to learn to get along with their peers,” Dawson said, adding that they also have Mass, so it’s perfect for parents who want their children to have a Catholic summer camp experience. “We hope that they grow closer in their relationship with God.” There are other residential camps scattered throughout the state, including camps for children with disabilities. The YMCA hosts summer camps as well. For those who don’t want to go far from home, contacting the local parks and recreation department can result in finding the perfect summer day camp opportunity. For instance, Roseville hosts several sports day camps for those looking for extra help with athletics, as well as a summer day camp program. The summer day camp program runs weekdays from June to August and is open to children ages 8 to 12. The Troy Parks and Recreation Department hosts a performing arts camp, kids camp, sportster camp and a surviving mean kid boot camp. Children who like the show “Survivor” might like the Survivor Summer Camp Kids Style, which will have all the adventure and challenge without kids having to vote their peers out of the camp, according to the city’s brochure. Others with summer day camps or daily playground activity programs include Lake Shore Public Schools in St. Clair Shores and Fraser Parks and Recreation. The sports-minded have a number of opportunities in a number of communities, such as Royal Oak, which offers several hours each day for activities like volleyball, hip hop dance, cheerleading and football. These programs are offered through the Royal Oak Neighborhood Schools. The Grosse Pointe Hunt Club has a sports and games camp for children ages 5 to 13 and a horsemanship day camp for children ages 7 and older. Even though school’s out, children have opportunities to use their brain power in some summer camp programs. One of those programs, offered through Oakland Community College, is the Science Technology and Engineering Preview Summer camp, STEPS. This is an overnight program for teenage girls from 15 to 18 years old. “Thanks to our great corporate sponsors, like The SME Foundation, Automation Alley and SECO Automotive, from July 19-26 the Auburn Hills Campus of OCC is proudly able to again host the very popular STEPS program, our highly enriching summer camp for young women who are interested in fields of technology, engineering and science,” STEPS Director Jessica Newman said. “Students will not only get the college experience with overnight lodging and food, but they will also take classes to learn about a wide variety of technology, from CAD to robotics to bioethics, while also acquiring self-confidence-boosting skills that may help prepare them for these traditionally male-dominated roles,” she said. “Classes are taught by both by our highly acclaimed faculty at Oakland Community College as well as by business leaders in the community.” Oakland Community College also offers a summer program for teenage girls to introduce them to construction. For children with a flair for the dramatic or a desire to be under the spotlight, there are programs that foster theatrics or the arts. The Michigan Opera House is hosting its annual Learning at the Opera program this summer. The program includes a number of different options, like an operetta workshop and opera chorus. “Learning at the Opera House has had a successful 10-year history at the Detroit Opera House,” said Karen DiChiera, director of community programs at the Detroit Opera House. “It is a program designed for all ages. “We are excited to be starting our 11th year,” she said. Etico Productions is offering a theater camp with workshops in areas such as auditioning and vocal performance this June at Athens High School in Troy. This camp is launching its first year and is only open to a limited number of students. “What is unique and great about our camp is the students actually get to perform in a professional show with professional actors, directors and designers,” said John Manfredi of the production company. “The show is performed at the Meadow Brook Music Festival as part of a family entertainment series presented by Palace Sports and Entertainment. “In addition to classes in acting, voice and movement, students will get special masters classes taught by some of the area’s top professional artists,” he said. Those who live near the Grosse Pointe communities have a number of options open to them at the Grosse Pointe War Memorial. “We have culinary camps, science camps and camps for teen girls,” said Melissa Bunker of the War Memorial. The science programs include a dinosaur camp, a camp focusing on aerodynamics, robots and forensic crime. You can reach Staff Writer April Lehmbeck at alehmbeck@candgnews.com or at (586) 498-1043. |
