Kiplinger's Personal Finance Magazine - March 1996
Serious Summer Camp

These camps focus on a special skill, not just fun.
Last summer 12-year-old David Borenstein of newton, Mass., built a computer from scratch and wrote a program to teach kids the parts of speech. Amanda Adkins, 13, of Springfield, Ohio, shed 25 unwanted pounds. And 17-year-old Kristina Fraction, who lives in Evanston, Ill., spent four weeks learning Norwegian. Where did these superachievers accomplish these feats? At summer camp.

Remember when summer camp was just about having fun? Now, at a "specialty camp," your child can maneuver into an inside lane on the fast track to the Ivy League - or simply learn a skill that he or she can enjoy for years to come. Whatever your motivation, if your child is enthusiastic about a particular activity, the right summer camp can make that interest bloom.

We asked teachers, parents and the American Camping Association, which publishes a guide to more than 2,000 accredited camps, to name specialty camps that stand out. Then we selected eight camps nationwide that, among other things, help kids master a foreign language or computer skills, learn to sail or play a musical instrument, even acquire health eating habits. Campers devote anywhere from three to eight hours daily to their special interest. To prevent burnout, the balance of the day is devoted to traditional camp fun. All the camps listed below accept both girls and boys. Unless noted, prices include room and board. Generally you have until April 15 to apply, but the sooner you send in an application, the better. For more choices, consult the American Camping Association's guide (ACA 1996/97 Guide to Accredited Camps, $16.95; 800-428-2267), or check the Internet for an independent listing (http://www.kidscamps.com).