🎒 What’s Next After Camp?

The summers kids spend at camp are some of the most meaningful of their lives, and we wish the magic of camp could last forever. But eventually those summers come to an end, and parents and kids are left wondering… what’s next?

The good news is that there are many options for kids and teens looking for new experiences, interesting places and lots of fun. Overnight summer programs for middle and high school students range from travel to campus-based enrichment to career exploration.

Travel

• ✔Adventure trips challenge students with backpacking, hiking, whitewater rafting, mountain biking and tent camping in incredible locations.
• ✔Classic teen tours offer sightseeing in amazing places around the world.
• ✔Service trips let students give back to communities in a meaningful way.
• ✔Cultural immersion trips have students explore a theme such as animal conservation, sustainability, arts and culture, or food.
• ✔Sailing voyages teach skills along with lots of fun and adventure.
• ✔Language immersion programs can include a homestay as part of the experience.

Best for: all of the above experiences are open to middle and high school students.

Campus-Based Enrichment

There are many choices for students who want traditional academics or a more exploratory dive into a new subject. Whether a student is looking for academic rigor or lighter coursework, living on a college campus is a great taste of life after high school. Students can choose a university in the U.S. or one of many schools in the U.K., Europe and Asia. Along with classes, programs include weekend excursions, and some offer a week of travel in addition to the time on campus.

Best for: some campus programs are available for middle school students, but the majority are designed for ages 14-18.

Career Exploration

Many programs give students a chance to try out careers such as law, medicine, engineering, banking and finance, fashion and much more. Instructors are professionals in their fields, and students take part in site visits, hands-on clinics, talks with guest speakers and other day-in-the-life activities. Programs are offered in the U.S. and abroad.

Best for: high school students, though some specific fields (e.g., veterinary medicine) are open to middle schoolers.

Summer experiences don’t end when camp does. So many great options are waiting!