Parks and Recreation Teen Extreme Camp

This Is Not Your Momma’s Camp

Teen extreme camps are a whole new breed of camp; bringing together the best of the wilderness and great energizing activities. If you think camp is all sitting around toasting marshmallows and singing Kum Ba Ya you are very, very mistaken. A parks and recreation teen extreme camp has so much cool stuff to offer that it’s tough to narrow it down. Still, I’ll give it whirl.

An extreme camp round up on the internet turned up all kinds of amazing and exciting activities such as:

• Kayaking, river rafting, and rock climbing
• Late night games and music
• Waterparks
• Snowboarding and snowtubing
• Acting
• Archeology digs
• Skateboarding
• Wilderness survival
• GPS & Geocaching
• Tree climbing clinics
• Soccer
• Road trips
• Shakespeare Festival
• Dancing
• Magic and illusion
• In-line skating
• Fun on the beach

And so much more! It’s astounding the choices teens have today and hard to imagine that there’s not a teen extreme camp that will fit any individual's needs.

Extreme Camp Healthy Benefits

Attending a parks and recreation teen extreme camp will result in positive and healthy benefits such as:

• Leadership skills
• Learned skills and increased self-esteem
• Great friendships with people of all ages
• Exercise, exercise, exercise – getting off the couch is great for your body and mind!
• Community interaction
• Volunteer experiences
• Increased self-identity
• Fun and reduced stress
• Responsibility, resourcefulness, and resilience
• Increased skills in caring and fairness
• An appreciation of nature and the environment

Extreme Camp Examples

Different extreme camp programs vary by time, program type, and age limits. There are camps specifically for teen boys, teen girls, co-ed camps, and tweens as well. You need to check out all the stats before signing up. Don’t ignore after school programs because some are set up much like an extreme camp; just with a different title.

Some like the Watkinsville, Georgia parks and recreation Teen Extreme is an after school adventure complete with, “Climbing Wall, Trail Riding, Paintball, White Water Rafting, Water Safety Course, Ropes Course, and many more exciting trips and classes!” This after school camp-like program takes place five days a week for two and a half hours a day.

In South Kingstown, Rhode Island you’ll find an Extreme Adventure Camp for teens in grades 7-10. This camp operates on a daily basis during the summer months. Bowling, the Beach, IMAX theater, White Water rafting, Six Flags, Trampoline Place and even more extreme activities that include a Youth Development Adventure Camp at Camp Fogarty with the RI National Guard with a high/low ropes course.

Lastly, you’ll find sleep-away extreme camps. Some sleep-away camps offer a variety of activities and some focus on one major skill like the River Rat Camp for Teens. Extreme skills offered at this camp according to the camp website include: “Rowing and paddling techniques for whitewater rafting, equipment rigging, safety and rescue issues, river and desert ecology… maneuvering rafts on calm water and small rapids, tying knots, equipment tie-down techniques with ropes and straps, framing and loading methods, self-rescue boating and swimming practices and minimum-impact camping techniques, desert plants and animals activities and current river issues.”

Locate Your Perfect Parks and Recreation Teen Extreme Camp Experience

You can start with your local parks and recreation center. Often your local parks and recreation will send out a mailer every so often with listings for current camps and other extreme activities.

Other great ways to find an extreme camp include:

• National Recreation and Parks Association: Look here to find links to local parks and recreation information.
• YMCA: The YMCA offers tons of great camp experiences for teens. Take a look at their national site and find links for local resources.
• American Camp Association: Not only does this site have a great camp locater but also articles and tips for campers.
• Find Camps.com: Just like the name says.
• Peterson’s: This site is great. You can search for camps by interest and area; even find an across the seas adventure.

Costs & Scholarships

Don’t be discouraged if a camp looks too expensive for you and your family. Many camps offer scholarships; both work scholarships and no-strings attached scholarships. Most scholarships are based on income limitations and how early you apply. If you know you’re going to want to attend a camp soon – apply now. Even if a camp doesn’t have scholarship information listed in bold on their website or flyer does not mean they don’t offer financial assistance. Call and ask – you may be happily surprised.

Now, get out there and have some extreme camping fun!