If there is one element prevalent in most sleep away camps in Vermont, it is the outdoors and that is totally understandable, considering the beautiful county side, and the abundance of lakes, rivers and forests. Choosing from all the sleep away camps is becoming more and more difficult, with the number of different sleep away camps available. If your child as one thing they like to do above all else, you may want to pick a camp that focuses on just that, or you may opt for a camp that offers a large variety of activities. Make the child a part of the decision process. It will make the whole camp experience much more personal. Check out the camps and ask your questions. Find out all you want to know about who runs the camp, how they select counselors, how and where is the food prepared, what agency are they licensed by and how does that agency monitor them. It sounds like a lot of work, and it is, but it is important to know everything you can, if just for your own piece of mind. What ever you do, do it as early as possible. These camps are popular and they will fill up fast.
Brown Ledge Camp
http://www.brownledge.org/
71 Brown Ledge Road
Colchester, Vermont 05446
Brown Ledge is a camp for girls from 10 to 18 years of age on the shores of Lake Champlain. It is accredited by the American Camp Association, which means they had to pass over 300 inspection items. They do have a unique approach to activities. Each counselor only teaches or supervises one activity, the activities go on all day long and the camper can choose which one they want to do at any given time. AS for the activities, they can choose from Horseback Riding, Sailing, Sailboarding, Swimming, Diving, Canoeing & Kayaking, Waterskiing, Trips, Theatre Arts, Arts & Crafts, Archery, Riflery and Tennis.
Killooleet
http://www.killooleet.com
70 Trull Street
Somerville, MA 02145
617-666-1484
fax: 617-666-0378
Killooleet is a co ed camp for boys and girls ages 9 to14. They are accredited by the American Camp Association. They have programs in Performing Arts, Studio Arts including arts and crafts. Sports including basketball, bicycling, canoeing, horseback riding, soccer, softball, swimming, tennis, ultimate Frisbee, archery and riflery. There is also horse back riding and Camping and Exploration, including mountain biking.
Roaring Brook Camp
http://www.roaringbrookcamp.com/
480 Roaring Brook Road
Bradford, Vermont 05033
Phone: 802-222-5702
Roaring Brook is a camp for boys aged 9-16. There are 4, 6 and 8 week programs. The emphases is on the outdoors with Expeditions, Backpacking in the High Country. The boys learn skill like rock climbing, rappelling, a 16-element high ropes course, tyrolean traverse, survival training, nature study, woodworking, leatherwork, blacksmithing, fly-tying, fishing, kayaking, canoeing, swimming, marksmanship, archery, and timber sports. Campers cook two of their three meals per day over open fires to learn this important outdoor skill. This is definitely a meat based menu. Not vegetarian and if your son has an allergy, it may not be suitable for him either.
