With almost 10,000 camps in the United States, parents often feel overwhelmed when it comes to choosing a summer experience for their teen.
Many teens are reluctant to try anything new, feeling that they might not fit in, might make a fool of themselves or because they will have to leave their comfort zones of their neighborhoods or the camps they have attended for the past several years. While returning to a camp year after year may be fun, it usually doesn’t do much for expanding horizons and developing new skills.
The teen years are a time of preparation for adulthood, a time to expand one’s circle of friendship and develop skills to last a lifetime. Attendance at a traditional residential camp is great for introducing a child to many recreational pursuits, but in most cases doesn’t provide opportunities to advance very far in any given skill area.
These days there is a wealth of opportunity for teens to concentrate in an area of interest.
There are camps for kayaking, mountain biking, photography, foreign languages, rock climbing, soccer, windsurfing, theater and a host of other activities.
The Columbia Gorge Teen Camps were created to add to these opportunities. The Columbia Gorge is in the heart of America’s outdoor paradise…snow-capped peaks, ancient forests, raging rivers and crystal-clear lakes. Combine this setting with experienced outdoor educators and world class outdoor athletes, and you have the formula for a first class outdoor recreation experience.
Campers will be arriving from as far away as Russia and Japan to further their interest in climbing and mountaineering, windsurfing, paddleboarding, photography, backpacking, canoeing, etc. Future years will see the addition of other activities such as mountain biking and kayaking.
Several online camp directories cater to teens and their parents; just do a search for teen camps or more specifically teen theater camps or teen climbing camps, etc. You will be amazed at the opportunities that exist.
For further information, call Jan Mayer at 801.679.9099 or go to ColumbiaGorgeTeenCamps.com.
About Robert Hanson:
EDUCATION:
B.A. and M.A. in Recreation, Washington State University
Doctorate in Recreation, Indiana University
RELATED WORK EXPERIENCE:
Camp Director, Olympia, Wash., YMCA
Faculty at San Diego State Univ., Professor
Specialty-Camp Administration & Camp Leadership
Now Professor-Emeritus following early retirement
Worked in a variety of summer camps from Hawaii to Minnesota during summer vacations; camp director, trip head, etc.
Owner of Trinity River Rafting Center, Willow Creek, California.
Owner and Administrator of Mountain Camp, Pollock Pines, California.
Owner California Camp Realty
PUBLICATIONS:
Several articles in professional journals
Co-Author, Organizations for Children and Youth
Co-Author, Stories for the Campfire
Co-Author, Camp Program Ideas
PROFESSIONAL INVOLVEMENT AND HONORS:
President of San Diego Section of American Camping Association
Vice President of So. Calif. Section of A.C.A.
President, SDSU YMCA
Member of Faculty Senate
Education Chair of So. Calif. Section of A.C.A.
Vice-President, So. Calif. Section of A.C.A.
Outstanding Service Award, So. Calif. Section of A.C.A.
Public Relation Chair of No. Calif. Section of A.C.A.
Education Chair of No. Calif. Section of A.C.A.
Vice-President of No. Calif. Section of A.C.A.
Board Member, American Camping Foundation
Life Member American Camping Association
Service Recognition Award, No. Calif. Section of A.C.A.
President, California Alpine Club
Chair, Mt. Diablo Peace and Justice Center
Distinguished Service Award, California Alpine Club
Local Peace Hero Award, Mt. Diablo Peace and Justice Center
