After yesterdays post on children’s summer camps that include horseback riding I received more email asking about horseback riding teens summer camp in several different areas. It seems that among summer camps activities, horseback riding is gaining popularity. Since I had two requests from Georgia we’ll look at that area first:

Georgia Horseback Riding Summer Camps

Zion Farms: This is a summer camp program that is completely geared for the equestrian, the program is almost entirely based on horses and offers different programs based on the rider’s experience. Zion Farms has a very informative website and the registration form is accessible online.

Ellenwood Equestrian Center: Ellenwood offers a summer day camp which is comprised of about 4 hours of horse related training with other activities planned for the latter half of the day.

I’ve had several requests for information on overnight summercamps with a horseback riding theme. There are many many youth summercamps that cater to those interested in horseback riding and equestrian oriented camps. I’ll try to tackle the location specific requests today and promise to post in the near future on the general question of what to look for in a summer horse academy and camp.

Horse Camps in Massachusetts

I’ve located a few summer camps with horseback riding facilities and they are:

4-H Camp Marshall: 4-H Camp Marshall, and its Massachusetts 4-H Horse Camp and Horse Lover’s Camp, is located in Spencer. Camp Marshall offers a traditional camp program featuring Barnyard, Swimming/Fishing and Nature Programs. At Horse Camp, a camper may bring his or her own horse to camp, while Horse Lovers Camp provides campers who love horses the opportunity to share in the management of a horse provided by camp.

Boston Equestrian Center:
This is primarily a day camp that also offers a half day program.

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I’ve been getting a few calls and emails about how the better female basketball player can really progress during the summer and get some exposure to recruiters. I’m a little out of my element here but I have some contacts that recommend Blue Chip BasketballCamp based on the quality of instruction and training offerred. There are several skill specific camps available and I’d say visit the website for much more info!

Summer basketball camps must be popular because I’m getting a ton of inquiries …for that matter summer sports camps are really booming and I’ll eventually try to address the many different types available. Today though I’ll respond to the emails looking for specific information. Tim from Boston asked for a recommendation on A serious girls basketball camps and we’ll look at that first.

I would say if your daughter is a serious player looking to really hone her skills with a desire to play college ball eventually, then look at Hoop Mountain Basket Ball Camps …. the coaching is first rate and the program is intensive. I’d say it’s more of a developmental program than a fun type of camp.

I’ve had a bunch of emails asking for information on day camps in the New York city area so I’ll address that topic today. The first email request was asking about Central Park day camp and the one program I am familiar with is Camp Central Park which has a good reputation, reasonable fees and a wide variety of activities for kids from 6-11 years. It runs from July 3- Aug 25, 2006. Check out the website for phone #’s and a downloadable PDF brochure.

Another parent requested info on Tarrytown day camp and one of the programs that comes highly recommended is the Oasis in Tarrytown day camp. Oasis Children’s Services actually offer quite a few programs at various locations. The Oasis Tarrytown day camp utilizes the resources of Marymount College of Fordham University. Check out the website to request a brochure, download an application or get phone info.

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I had an email which was asking about the possibility of using summer camp job experience as a stepping stone to a full time, year round career in the summer camp field. The answer is yes there are careers in many capacities dealing with summer camps and my recommendation would be to use the American Camp Association Jobs website where you can post your resume, sign up for the email job alerts, find out about local summer camp job fairs and much more relevant data related to the summer camp career path.

You will also find information here as to what employers are looking for in their summer camp staff as well as educational options directly related to summer camp for positions such as:

Camp Administration
Environmental Education
Experiential Education
Leisure/Recreation Program Delivery
Natural Resources Recreation Management
Outdoor Education
Therapeutic Recreation

Over the past several days I’ve received several emails asking for specific information regarding summer camps and I do encourage you to email if you have questions. For the next few days I’ll be addressing these emailed questions and the number one enquiry has been asking for more information on northeast summercamps. Most of the emails are looking for information about traditional summercamps, so I’ll address those types of summercamps programs today.

Some of you are looking for specific locations like summercamps New York and I’ll include that in the discussion since there are a huge number of options for people looking to attend summercamps NY.

When researching childrens summercamps I recommend starting with the American Camp Association which has a wonderfully designed search page that lets you locate kids summercamps by location, activity/targeted focus, affiliation/cultural focus and age … they even have an advanced search function to really allow you to delimit your searches.

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I came across this interesting article at Frommers that talks about summer camps that cater to parents and children together. Until I read this article I was unaware that this option existed, but with so many new specialty camps appearing I guess it’s really not that surprising. There seem to be many new variations on the traditional kids summer camp evolving and it’s interesting to follow the many options now opening up. I’ve been following the evolution of children’s summer camps for years and 2006 is witnessing the most innovative changes so far.