Hello all,
I have a 10th grader boy who is not the type of kids aiming for top schools. For average kids like my boy, what kind of summer camps would you recommend other than sport camp? Thanks! He’s my oldest one, I have no experience and feel not ready yet for everything thats coming as far as his college preparation. Thank you.
@Nicole2018 I would recommend an old-fashioned, cabins in the woods, swimming, hiking kind of camp for any kid. They are fun, character-building and gives them a break from anything school-related. Camps like this usually ban cell phones, so they’d be disconnected from electronics for a few weeks, which is always a plus. My son went to a camp in New Hampshire for a few summers. My daughter tried several camps, but her favorite was a girls’ camp in NH. Your son should go for a month to get the full experience.
my only hesitation with the above advice is that frankly, the OP’s child is rather old to start that type of camp. Many of the campers will have been attending for 5 or more years by then, and coming in the last year can be very awkward. Also, many campers are transitioning to a counselor-in-training post by 15 or 16 after years of camp. My kids had finished those camps before they were 15,and have fond memories, but wouldn’t want to go at that point in their lives.
Our city has an outdoor summer work program for teens, and I know people love it, maybe you have something similar.
Unless he really has a certain hobby/skill that he WANTS to attend a camp for (which then you probably wouldn’t be asking us!! 
) at his age I would encourage him to just get a part time job where he can perhaps have a little fun with others his age, learn some job skills and earn some money.
At his age as far as camp…I would encourage him to actually volunteer or work for a camp! If he’s not outdoorsy then an outdoor camp is not the direction I’d encourage.
What does your like to do with his time? What are his hobbies/special skills or interests??
My son went to sleep away camp starting when he was six for 8 years and his last year was when he was going into 10th grade. As the oldest campers they didn’t do too many structured activities - they hung out a lot in their own lounge and chose what they wanted to do (my kid spent most of his time sailing, when not hanging out.)
These are boys that had been together every summer for seven weeks since the time they were 6. Also, many of these camps have very few openings as kids get older as same kids come back year after year.
I think you would be better off looking into a specialty camp or outdoor adventure program that are one offs and specifically for teens
It depends on his interests, but my S ended up attending a summer drama camp. He attended first as a camper in late elementary school, and starting at age 14 they offered a separate camp where teens worked on a drama production (play or musical). Kids could audition for parts in the shows, or sign up to work on the many behind-the-scenes jobs.
For us it was a godsend, because it was run through our community’s Parks and Rec department, and for the high school group it was free. Kids committed to it (each session ran 3 weeks) but it wasn’t something you chose whether you felt like attending - if you signed up, you were expected to be there every day.
It was ideal for kids you didn’t want hanging around unsupervised all summer, but who were too young to drive/work.
My S ended up being very involved in theater, music, forensics and debate in high school. One summer in college he served as a camp counselor for the younger kids so it came full circle.
My S couldn’t wait to go each year, but obviously a kid would need to want to attend a camp like this - probably not for everyone!
@roycroftmom , that’s a good point, but it really depends on the kid and the camp. My daughter found her dream camp the summer she was 15. She was the only girl in her cabin who hadn’t been attending this particular camp for years, but it didn’t matter. She had a great experience and would have gone back at 16, the last year she was eligible, but she found a high paying babysitting gig instead.
It can happen. Or you could have my niece’s experience, who went at the first time at 13 and was teased mercilessly about starting late, until she withdrew. No way of predicting.
Does your son like to travel? There are many wonderful summer travel programs for teens
When you say no sports, does that rule out all strenuous activities like the summer adventure camps? They would typically not have the same kids repeating each year the way the summer sleep-away camps have. Here’s one I tried to convince my D to attend:
I’d do a volunteer experience at a local hospital or kids summer camp. There’s usually a decent demand for 14-16 year old responsible teens to volunteer for these types of things in summer.
Computer or robotics might be enjoyable for a STEM kid even if they are super academic.
Several of my brother’s kids went to http://northwaters.com/our-programs/northwaters-coed-ages-14-17/ . They were campers the first couple of years of high school and at least two of them eventually also led trips.
My younger son went to a local music camp the summer after ninth grade.
My kids worked or volunteered 10-12th grade summers.
I agree that it is probably too old to start at a traditional sleep-away camp. Most kids are aging out of those camps or staring to work as CITs.
At this age he should be giving you input on what he’s interested in doing. You might look into some travel programs if that is something he might like, there are lots of programs for that age at a prep school or college, there are specialty camp programs as a few ideas. He can also get a job or volunteer somewhere.
Maybe he could volunteer at a day camp in your area. He wouldn’t be a “camper” but he might meet others his age doing the same thing.
Check with your local Y…maybe they have something.
mine volunteered at about that age – p/t work was hard to come by. One also attended a week-long residential camp nearby having to do with an interest. They both had gone to Scout camp either as campers or help. I don’t know if it particularly matters as long as he does _something _ … it need not be Curing Cancer Camp or Perfect SAT Camp…Many groups, churches, etc are looking for help even if they aren’t formally advertising.
What has your son done past summers?
By 10th grade both our kids had paying jobs (20ish hours a week) with day camps they attended when younger. Both camps, while not traditional sports, were very active. We also had them set academic goals (reading, SAT prep, etc.) and some kind of community service goal. That worked well for them. Mind, body & spirit kept growing over the summer.
Mind you, we’ve always been a very structured family. On the other hand, my sister has more of a “free range” philosophy … don’t think her kids were expected to have jobs or participate in any organized summer activity. All the “kids” are now mid to late 20s and solid citizens, so it’s surely not a “one size fits all” decision to make.
Two of my boys worked at boy scout residential camps at that age and another worked at a boy scout day camp. Previously, my kids all attended a very low key traditional day camp at our temple. At 14, kids could be CIT’s.
I also think 15 is too old to start the camper experience. S17 went away to a science camp at 13. Although he really liked it, the following year he chose to participate in our town’s drama program (and he is now a theater tech major).
One camp that would not be hard to attend as a new experience at that age is Concordia Language Villages in northern Minnesota. Pick a language that reinforces the high school language, or an entirely new one. He will be placed in age appropriate learning groups. The camps are in the woods, and have canoes, swimming etc, though are more culture and language focused.
I was also going to suggest Concordia Language Villages. Or if he is a junior this year, Operation Catapult is an 3 week engineering camp at Rose Hulman that a lot of STEM kids enjoy.