Before going to camp, Electra B., 13, of Colchester, Vt., had used a hammer once. After her camping experience, she helped her mom build two sheds.
Jessie B., 15, of Essex Junction, Vt., says she is “always interested in things that are a little out from normal.”
Electra and Jessie didn’t go to a typical horseback riding and swimming camp. Instead, they went to the girls-only Rosie’s Camp, where they spent a week learning carpentry, welding, auto repair, electrical wiring and firefighting.
“The welding was awesome,” Electra says. And the firefighting? “That was really fun. We put on the clothes [firefighters] wear and equipment and crawled around and stuff.”
Rosie’s Camp is intended to push girls physically, build their confidence and expand their career options.
It worked, according to Katie B., 15, of South Burlington, Vt. “I was definitely insecure before. It helped a lot,” she says. Katie also liked that they learned things that “girls are not supposed to do.”
They had only one complaint. Both Katie and Jessie liked the camp so much, they wished it could have lasted longer. Katie even returned as a counselor-in-training.
Rosie’s is for girls 11 to 13 years old.
Currently there are two locations: Essex Junction, Vt., and Santa Monica, Calif. But camp organizers are working to start more across the country.
Although Rosie’s is a day camp, girls have come from other states and stayed with another camper’s family, says Liz Shayne, founding director, about the Vermont camp. Cost is $690 for three weeks. To find out more, check out nnetw.org/rosie.htm.
Are you looking for something out of the ordinary to do this summer? We’ve lined up a list of the most unusual summer camps we could find.
Learn to fly a fighter jet
Yes, you read that right. This is the real training that all fighter and test pilots go through. First you have to choose whether to join the Navy’s Blue Angels or the Air Force’s Thunderbirds. Then you learn the cockpit and how to put your plane through its paces. Finally, you have a mock battle with your teammates to see who will be the top gun.
See yourself there? It’s held at the U.S. Space & Rocket Center in Huntsville, Ala. There are both weekend and summer camps for anyone 9 and up. Kids 7 to 12 also can pair with a parent. The cost is $749 for kids-only camps and $349 each for parent/child camp. Find out more at spacecamp.com.
Put out real fires
At Camp Blaze, girls 16 to 19 can see what it’s really like to be a firefighter. You will climb an aerial ladder, enter a burning building and conduct a search-and-rescue. In 2004, Camp Blaze will be held in Northern California (location to be announced), and it’s free! All you have to do is get there. But you have to apply, pay a $20 application fee and write a 500-word essay. Since there are just 24 to 30 spots each year, not everyone gets in. Check it out at www.campblaze.com.
Be Steven Spielberg
At Film Camp, you will get to write, direct, shoot and edit your own movie. Run by the New York Film Academy (where Spielberg’s son, Max, went), you can choose from a variety of great camp locations to make your movie: New York, Disney-MGM Studios in Florida, Universal Studios in Los Angeles, Harvard University, Paris or Florence, Italy. And since you won’t always start at the top, everyone helps one another by working behind the camera and as gaffer/grip. Tuition for an intensive one-week camp is $1,500, while four- or six-week sessions run $5,900 to $6,900. To go, you need to be high school age. Camera experience unnecessary. Find out more by going to nyfa.com/hs/.
Run away and join the circus
You don’t have to be a clown to join Circus Smirkus. You will swing from the trapeze, walk on stilts, ride a unicycle, juggle upside down and throw a pie in someone’s face. Kids 8 to 16 can choose between one- or two-week sessions, with the two-week camp ending in a circus show for the families. Kids also can pair up with Mom or Dad for family camp. The camp is located in Craftsbury Common, Vt. Cost is $825 for one week, $1,500 for two weeks and $1,500 for two at family camp. Want to know more? Go to circussmirkus.com.
Live the ultimate summer fantasy
You can learn to ride the waves like a pro this summer and tour one of the world’s only sea turtle hospitals at Surf Camp. The weeklong camp also includes trips to several barrier islands to learn about their coastal ecosystems. Surf Camp is at Wrightsville Beach, N.C. The cost is $475 per week for kids 8 to 12 and $595 per week for teens 12 to 18. Check it out at wbsurfcamp.com.
Change the world
Do you want to save the rainforests? Maybe you see yourself working in politics someday? If so, then check out the Sierra Student Coalition’s summer training program. High school students will learn the skills involved in political organization: planning a campaign, motivating people, working with the media and running meetings. Camps will be held in late June through July in Illinois near St. Louis, in Memphis, in Virginia near Washington, D.C., and in San Diego. Cost for the one-week camp is $160 and includes meals and lodging. Watch for more information to come at ssc.org.
Strike a chord
At Power Chord Academy, teens 12 to 18 will be placed in a band that best meets their age, experience and style. Don’t play an instrument and can’t hold a tune? This camp is for beginning musicians as well as more advanced ones. You will lead the life of an up-and-coming band member: recording in a studio, playing a concert and making a video. There also will be the chance to meet a real touring band. This summer, the academy will be held in two locations: In Chicago, the dates are June 20 to June 26 and June 27 to July 3. In San Diego, the dates are July 4 to July 10 and July 11 to July 17. Cost is $1,095 for the one-week camp. Learn more by going to powerchordacademy.com.
