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2019 Summer Camps - Check Out Our List of Fun and Unique Opportunities for Kids in the Upper Valley

Mar 04, 2019 12:16PM ● By Kevin
Just because school will be out doesn’t mean your kids still can’t be learning all year long. Enter summer camps. A long-standing tradition in American culture, summer camps give your children an opportunity to meet new friends, enjoy physical activity and stimulate and grow their minds.

In 2019, Image Magazine decided to take a look at some of the more unique activities and hobbies available through summer day and overnight camps in the Upper Valley. We compiled a list of 10 of our favorites.

As spaces fill up quickly, now is the time to act. We're on top of it for you. Check out our list of fun and unique 2019 summer camps.

 

Montshire Museum of Science

The majority of Montshire Summer Camps are based outdoors at Montshire’s 100-acre campus in Norwich, but they also offer programs at the Ray School and Storrs Pond in Hanover and at Crossroads Academy in Lyme. Montshire Summer Camps maintain a low camper-to-instructor ratio (ranging from 4:1 for the preschool program to 6:1 in the camps for older children) ensuring individual attention is given to each camper.

The college-aged or older staff members are well-trained and knowledgeable. They have a variety of interests and experiences, and a love of working with children. Each staff member undergoes extensive training by Montshire’s full-time science educators and is proficient in safety and first-aid procedures.

With the Extended Care Option, your child may be dropped off at the museum as early as 8:15 a.m. and picked up as late as 5:15 p.m. This is supervised but unstructured play. Available only for children entering grades 1–8 and enrolled in programs held at the Montshire site. For more information, visit montshire.org.

 

Coyote Hill Mountain Bike Camp (Hanover & Fairlee)

Escape from everyday life, challenge yourself and enjoy every minute. Great riding, skills and mechanics' clinics, trail building, project, these camps are all about mountain biking. Whatever your child’s skill level, he or she will improve your cycling and self-confidence in an environment characterized by enthusiasm, humor, and incredible riding terrain.

Day Campers will learn the basics of mountain biking and bike maintenance. The camps emphasize fun and include games, swimming, and much more. Campers ages 8-12 with all ability levels are welcome. Camp times are 9 a.m. – 4 p.m., and take place at Storrs Pond in Hanover. Camps run June 24 – 28, July 1 – 5, Aug. 5 – 9, Aug. 12 – 16, and cost $325 each. No early drop-offs, please.

Overnight camps take place at the Coyote Hill facilities, which overlook scenic Fairlee. In 2019, there are five camps spanning June 20 – Aug. 2. For more information, visit coyotehillcamp.com.  

 

Vermont Institute of Natural Science Nature Camp

The Vermont Institute of Natural Science Nature Camp’s mission is to help young people develop the life skills necessary to be a positive force for their community and the environment.

By exploring the diversity of nature’s living creatures and habitats, VINS Nature Camp nurtures each child's curiosity and helps them to build respectful, caring relationships with themselves, others, and the natural world.

Each day of camp is another opportunity for your child to join an exciting journey to reveal the wonders of the natural world.  Whether it is a hike through the woods, a closer look at an insect under the magnifying glass, a messy craft, or a group game that reinforces the value of teamwork; VINS Nature Camp programs are an invaluable and exciting learning experience for children.

VINS’ professional and highly trained staff, and un-paralleled collection of resident raptors ensures that your camper will have a unique and enriching summer camp experience. There are four age groups, spanning ages 4 through eighth grade, with multiple programs for each. Summer camp programs range from June 17 through Aug. 21. For more information, visit vinsweb.org.

 

Carter Community Building Association (CCBA)

The CCBA offers school vacation and summer camps for children of a wide range of ages!  Summer camps start at age 3 up to age 12 while our school vacation camps are kindergarten to age 11. They have a half day, full day, or register by the day only, depending on which camp you choose.

Camps take place from June 17 – Aug. 16 and are separated into three different categories, which include a fitness-and-sports-oriented camp, a camp for ages 3-5 that focuses on outdoor play, games, swim, and arts and crafts, and the normal camp, which rotates theme weeks to keep kids having fun. The normal camp also includes day trips during the ninth and final week.

The CCBA’s Witherell Recreation Center has been serving the Upper Valley with quality programs for youth, young adults, families, and seniors for more than 25 years. For more information, visit joinccba.org.

 

Horizons Co-ed Day Camp

Horizons is a day camp for girls and boys who live or vacation in the Upper Valley of the Connecticut River in Vermont and New Hampshire. Horizons Co-ed Day Camp offers camp sessions to pre-K through 7th-grade graduates, Monday through Friday, from late June through mid-August. Campers may enroll in any number of sessions. Horizons campers benefit from the same rich array of activities that children at the renowned sleep-away camps of The Aloha Foundation enjoy – then go home to bed at night, tired and happy. The camp’s exceptional recreational resources occupy 90 natural acres of river valley land on the quiet shores of beautiful Lake Fairlee.

There is bus transportation from Lyme, Norwich, Lebanon, and Thetford, and a healthy lunch is provided. For more information, visit alohafoundation.org.

 

Lightning Soccer Club Street Soccer Camps (Norwich, Thetford, West Lebanon, White River Junction)

Half-day camps for boys and girls are for ages 6 to 14. Camps take place in Norwich from June 24 to 27 and Aug. 12 to 15, in Thetford from July 15 to 18, in West Lebanon from July 22 to 25, and in White River Junction from Aug. 5 to 8.

Lightning Soccer Club is a premier youth soccer club serving over 60 towns in the Upper Valley of New Hampshire and Vermont. Located in the Connecticut Valley near Dartmouth College, Lightning Soccer offers competitive soccer players ages 6 -19 the chance to learn, train, and develop under the guidance of qualified coaches. Lightning travel teams compete in state and regional leagues including NH Soccer League and the New England Premiership. Several LSC teams have won the NH State Cup and have gone on to successfully compete at the Region 1 National Championships. For more information, visit uvlightning.org.

 

Haven Summer Camp

During the summer The Upper Valley Haven staff members organize a wide variety of field trips and programs for the children. Recent field trips have included the Montshire Museum of Science, hiking and mountain climbing, Fairbanks Museum, an ocean trip, Shelburne Museum, the climbing wall at the River Valley Club, the New England Aquarium, the Vermont Institute of Natural Sciences, apple and berry picking, Squam Lakes Natural Science Center, a canoe trip down the Connecticut River, college visits, rock climbing in Lyme, and an NH Fishercats baseball game.

Thanks to the generosity of donors and local organizations, during the summer vacation children also have the opportunity to enjoy activities such as day and overnight camps through AVA Gallery, Montshire Museum, Northern Stage, League of NH Craftsmen, Camp Horizon, Camp Mowglis, Camp Arcadia, Hartford Recreation Department, therapeutic riding through High Horses & Moonrise Farm, CCBA fitness program, photography workshops, swimming and tennis lessons, and varied activities onsite designed to promote creativity and physical activity. For more information, visit uppervalleyhaven.org.

 

Camp Sunapee

Camp Sunapee is an overnight camp designed to nurture an excitement for learning – from mathematics to art to outdoor activities. Our concentration on academics, math, and critical thinking skills makes Camp Sunapee a fun alternative to summer school for high school and elementary students.

Kids can spend two or four weeks at Camp Sunapee, located in an enchantingly secluded cove on a spring-fed lake. Camp Sunapee devotes more than 160 acres of pristine forest land, meadows, hills and hiking trails, tennis and basketball courts, water front and facilities to more than 25 structured programs.

At Camp Sunapee, kids participate in a rotating, balanced schedule that includes our distinguished program in mathematics, as well as drama, archery, arts & crafts, pottery, cycling, soccer, kayaking, rowing, swimming, wrestling, dance, photography, and overnight hiking.  For more information, visit russianschool.com.

 

Ohana Family Camp

Family camp has a completely unique way of bringing family closer together. At Ohana Family Camp, this bonding summer camp experience is amplified by spectacular outdoor activities on land and on the lake. Ohana Family Camp offers recreational equipment and activities for all ages.

The Green and White Mountain National Forests, and quintessential New England towns such as Hanover and Woodstock are easy day trips away.

In the evenings, Ohana campers gather for music-making, storytelling, contra dancing and presentations by local experts on the natural and cultural history of the region. For more information, visit alohafoundation.org.

 

Camps Kenwood & Evergreen

A values-driven community where campers experience being their best selves, turn summer relationships into lifelong friendships, and experience fun and laughter while creating everlasting memories.

Kenwood & Evergreen is a place to become a better athlete, artist, performer, and person.

Camps Kenwood and Evergreen offers many session choices to designed fit your family’s needs. Campers ages 8-11 may choose our 3 or 4-week options, while campers 12 and older are eligible for our 7-week program. Campers ages 8-11 have the option to extend their camp summer from 4 to 7 weeks. For more information, visit kenwood-evergreen.com


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