It’s Summer Camp season, and there are so many options for families this year. Campers can choose to go to Maine, to the Poconos, or to 92nd Street Y in NYC. Horseback riding, canoeing, swimming, and archery are some of the many activities to participate in. Campers can learn new skills in music, academics, and business. There are also specialty camps for children whose parents have experienced illness. Several of the camps provide ways to practice social awareness and make a difference.

Following is a Top Ten List for the best camps this year

[new page=Camp Corral]

10. Camp Corral’s mission is to "serve those who have served us". The organization was founded in 2010 by Golden Corral founder James Maynard. Maynard and his team wanted to provide something meaningful for military families and came up with the idea of the summer camp program. Camp Corral campers participate in traditional camp experiences, including horseback riding, canoeing, swimming, fishing, archery, a ropes course and other outdoor activities while learning new skills, building character and making new friends. Camp Corral works closely with YMCA and 4-H camps to host Camp Corral. Both YMCA and 4-H are highly respected for their total youth-development programs. Each camp location is personally reviewed and is accredited by the American Camp Association (ACA), or abides by ACA guidelines and regulations.

[new page=92Y Passport NYC]

9. The 92Y Passport NYC is sleepaway camp in NYC. Teens from around the world gather each summer for an amazing residential camp experience that celebrates creativity, social responsibility, and Jewish values. Dive into one of five exciting specialties-film, fashion, culinary arts, the music industry or musical theater-to learn from NYC's top creative talent, experience New York culture, and perform not-so-random acts of kindness. Learn how you can make a difference while building our Passport NYC community, in a totally safe, totally cool environment. Passport NYC is A Summer. A City. A Camp Like No Other.

[new page=Camp Inc.]

8. Camp Inc. provides campers with a business and entrepreneurial summer camp experience rooted in Jewish values. Campers learn how to build a company in an industry of their choice and gain the skills necessary to become innovators and social leaders in business, philanthropy, and the Jewish community. Campers learn from high-level mentors, teachers, and business pioneers. Summer 2014 is Camp Inc's inaugural summer.

[new page =SuperCamp]

7. SuperCamp

This this academic camp, our campers have a blast but they're also changed for the better. The vast majority report an improvement in grades, confidence, family relationships, and more. You can see the full results from our camper surveys here.

Other academic summer camps focus on "the what" of learning. We focus on "the how" of learning. Students learn how to read, how to study, how to write, and how to participate in class.

Our programs give teens a taste of college life and inspire them to pursue their academic goals. A full 77% of our campers go directly to a four-year college, compared to the national average of 46%.

[new page =Lake Naomi Club’s Mountaintop]

6. Lake Naomi Club’s Mountaintop is an authentic Pocono Mountain resort with space to relax and recharge for families. Surrounding one of the largest private lakes in the Poconos, Lake Naomi is recognized as one the leading vacation communities in the country. All summer long, the Lake Naomi Club offers week-by-week camp for kids aged 4-13. The camp is open to anyone renting a property at Lake Naomi or staying in The Lodge.

Just minutes from several major ski, waterpark, and shopping destinations, Lake Naomi Club is an ideal, easy escape for families from DC to Connecticut.

[new page=Camp Kesem]

5. Camp Kesem provides a life-long peer support network for children affected by a parent’s cancer, anchored in a network of free summer camps that are led by passionate college student volunteers across the country.

Camp Kesem works with a specific demographic of often overlooked children who are affected by a parent who is currently battling cancer, is a cancer survivor, or has passed away from cancer. Our organization provides these children with a summer camp experience where they can just have fun and be kids with other children that understand what they are going through. Our camp is unique in its mission and its programming.

[new page=Christian Camps - Brookwoods]

4. Brookwoods was born in 1944 when Dr. Lawrence H. Andreson, founder of the camp, purchased one hundred and ten acres which were to become Camp Brookwoods.
Two powerful forces motivated the foundation of Brookwoods and continue to play an important part in the camp’s development today. Integrally woven into the camp and its future has been the development and operation of a unique camper-centered environment which is founded upon the historic Christian faith. Through the years, Brookwoods has utilized God’s exciting wilderness for campers to see the hand of God and to learn from it. Leaders committed to Christ, well-trained and able to teach, have been instrumental in developing campers’ deepening commitment to Jesus Christ. Careful programming has been designed to accommodate the different abilities and needs of each individual camper.

[new page=YeaCamp]

3. YeaCamp was founded on the belief that, from a young age, people are naturally idealistic and compassionate and want to help others. They can see the world for what it could be and instinctively want to take action to make the world a better place. Yet, despite thousands of hours in school, most young people do not learn skills, have role models, or receive encouragement to address some of the biggest problems in our society. Without being instilled with the tools and belief that they can make a difference, people can become resigned or cynical about having the power to impact the world around them. YEA Camp is committed to filling this gap — to ensuring that people who want to make a difference in the world have the knowledge, skills, confidence, and community to do so.

[new page=Jamey Abesrsold Summer Jazz Workshop]

2. Jamey Aebersold Summer Jazz Workshops For one or two weeks in July at University of Louisville, KY., Jamey is renowned in the jazz world for teaching kids & adults the building blocks of understanding & playing jazz. Each day, campers attend music theory & performance classes & every night there are stellar performances by VIP faculty members in big concert hall with excellent acoustics. Instruments -- guitar, bass, drums, piano, sax, flute, violin, cello, voice, etc -- beginners through advanced.

[new page=Rocky Mountain Fiddle Camp]
1. Rocky Mountain Fiddle Camp is for one week in August. Near Estes Park in Colorado, located in supremely beautiful Rocky Mountain setting at 9.000 feet. Daily schedule is similar to jazz camp above with morning/afternoon classes plus lots of impromptu jam sessions & top-notch evening performances by faculty. Instruments -- Fiddle, guitar, mandolin, bass, hammered dulcimer, piano, & perhaps others -- -- rookies through advanced. Music genre: Mainly Cape Breton/Scottish plus some classical & bluegrass.