Camp
Cyber
Camp
The best way to search
on the Internet for the right camp
and some interesting spots to check out.
ELIZABETH APPLEBAUM
AppleTree Editor
I
n the beginning, there was the
seemingly unambiguous word,
camp." To just about everyone, it
conjured fond memories — or
future dreams — of hot summer days at
the pool, drinking lemonade, new
friends and bunks, sing-alongs and
campfires.
Then the Internet came along. Type
in the word "camp" on any search
engine and you will receive literally
thousands — sometimes up to 50,000
— potential sites. On the Internet
camp" can mean anything from Girl
Scout cookbooks to the best trout-fish-
ing spots for retired seniors.
And, of course, there are the dreaded
homepages, where you can actually find
something like "Ed's Camp Page," a col-
lection of photos including Ed's son and
"his beautiful wife Liz," plus daughter
Melanie and all the grandparents.
Even if you limit your list to, say,
"Jewish camps," you're likely to be over-
whelmed. The search engine HotBot
alone will bring in more than 10,060
possibilities.
So how does a parent make the best
use of the Internet when looking for
camps, and maybe even have a little
fun, too? The first step is narrowing
your list down before even getting on
the computer. Here are some questions
to consider:
• Do you want to send your child to
a Jewish camp? If so, your best bet is to
visit the homepage or camp information
page of the movement to which you are
affiliated. Jewish camp people are virtu-
ally always pleasant, and most will be
more than willing to help you find the
perfect camp for you — even if it's not
affiliated with their movement.
REFORM —
shamash.org/reform/uahc/youth/camps
.html
CONSERVATIVE —
camprarnah.comPtesting.htm
ORTHODOX —
www.ou.org./NCSY/default.htm
"
"
Other key words to type in if you're
in search of a Jewish camp: B'nai B'rith
and Jewish Federation, both of which
sponsor a number of overnight and day
camps nationwide.
Or, try the Camps Page on Kosher
Delight, which has information on vari-
ous camps throughout the United States
and Israel. This great site has informa-
tion about Reform, Conservative and
Orthodox camps, Young Judea and
YMHA/YWHA camps and many
more. See:
wwvv.kosherdelight.com/jewish-
campspage.htm.
• Ifyou're looking for a sports camp,
narrow it down to a single, or primary,
field of interest. Whatever you do, don't
type in the words "sports camp" on the
Internet because the list is never-ending.
(At latest count, there are 12,600 spots
for "horseback riding camp" alone.)
One good general site to check out is
offered by the Athletes Edge, where you
can select sport, location and gender.
Visit: wwvv.athletesecige.com/sports-
camps.htm
• Consider whether you want your
child nearby, or whether distance is not
an issue. If you prefer that your child
stay in Michigan, type in the state
name, along with "camp," when you
start browsing the Internet.
• Think derail, detail, detail. Words
you might want to type in alongside
camp" include "overnight," "day"
and/or "summer.
• Consult the experts. Professional
organizations often sponsor camps,
or can give you excellent advice
about the best ones to consider.
Independent groups also have Web
sites that are useful.
For example, there's a great spot for
fans of soccer at:
(vvww.soccercampguide.com), which
includes both a directory and review of
many camps and soccer clinics.
• Try one of the Web sites that offer
general information about all kinds of
camps worldwide. Here, you can type in
a keyword that will give you more infor-
mation, and be able to select from
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overnight or day camps, specific regions
and various costs.
www.summercamp/com and
vvww.campsearch.com (The introducto-
ry page provides information on resi-
dential and day camps, specialty camps
— including opportunities for children
with attention and learning disabilities
— adult camps and more. To request
specific information, though, it's best to
check on the "CampMall" and type in a
keyword.) Now that all those pesky little
chores are out of the way, it's time for
adventure.
What's fun about searching for
camps on the Internet is what's always
most fun about being on the Internet:
you never know quite what you'll find,
and you can find just about everything.
If you, or your child, has ever had a
dream of trying something new and
unusual, camp is a great place to get
started. And where else could you find
camps to develop new and unusual
skills but on the Internet? Consider
some of these:
• Baseball in Israel: This sleep-
away camp would have been par-
adise for the young Hank
Greenberg. Check it out at:
www.campsearch.corn/test/N491_Gra
nd_Slam_Baseball_Camp.cfm (also
accessible through wwwcampsearch).
• Up In The Air: Ever envision your-
self high on the flying trapeze? See Lake
Greeley Camp in the Pocono
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z
(Pennsylvania) Mountains. The Web
site shows daring souls high up in the
air and promises, "It's Fun!" "It's
Unique!" "It's a Thrill!" Visit Lake
Greeley Camp at:
vvwvv.lakegreeley.com/trap.htm
• A Slide Show Worth Watching:
Learn about Camp Tzion in Israel by
visiting its online slideshow at:
www.intertournet.co.ilhzion/
• What's Up Your Sleeve?: If your
child is a budding David Copperfield,
"The Magic Camp" may be just what
you're looking for. You can see it at:
www.magiccamp.corn.
• Oh Romeo, Wherefore Art Thou?:
Perhaps at this camp, Juliet. Looking for
a camp that will help your budding
young thespian? See Shakespeare's
Company at:
wvvw.giftedandtalented.org/ORG/cam
ps/shakespeare.html
• C'est Bon: If you're looking for an
international, but not too distant,
opportunity, see Ekocamp in Canada,
where children will enjoy many sports
activities and learn French. Visit:
www.campsearch.com/test/F48_Ekoca
mp_International.cfrn (also accessible
through www.campsearch).
• Home, Home On The Farm:
Future farmers, check out this
Colorado working farm and ranch
where you will participate in all the
real farm activities: www.summer
camps.com/LittleCrow.html fl