by Rebecca James

When I was in sixth grade, the class went on an overnight field trip to Camp Tecumseh, about 20 miles north of Lafayette. It was a rite of passage in my elementary school, just like being segregated from the boys to watch those "facts of life" movies in fifth grade.

Our overnight camping adventure was fun, but my primary recollection is of some jokester who nudged me off a log as we were traversing a small creek. The incident landed me shin-deep in the chilly water and proceeded to cause my brand new Nike running shoes to bleed dark blue onto not only my socks, but my feet as well. This being the "pre-Smurf" era, I (thankfully) escaped being tagged "Squishy Smurf" by my classmates as I audibly finished our nature hike. The experience, however, put a bit of a negative spin on my impression of staying at a "rustic" camp.

A few years later, I was somehow convinced to attend church camp in rural Pennsylvania - a staggering 12-14 hour drive from our home in northwest Indiana. I arrived, unpacked and enjoyed a swim in the sparkling, Olympic-sized swimming pool before realizing I was anything but a happy camper. Suddenly, I wanted nothing more than to get back in the car and continue the trip with my

family to my grandmother's house, then on to western New York to visit more

relatives. Hanging out with them seemed much more appealing than sticking around camp with a couple hundred complete strangers.

I may be the exception to the rule; most kids probably enjoy cutting out and enjoying a week of camp fun and games - whether it's the traditional route, sports-related or simply in your own back yard.

Locally, the YMCA of Greater Indianapolis offers a seemingly endless variety of summer camps, with themes ranging from "Wacky Week," "Splish Splash" and "Galaxy Quest" to Tae Kwon Do, cheerleading and ultimate Frisbee.

One of this year's most popular camps is "CSI: Crime Scene Investigator Camp," which guides campers through an investigation like real detectives and forensic scientists.

Sporting a "something for everyone" attitude, these YMCA camps strive to achieve an overall goal of helping kids and teens grow in spirit, mind and body.

"Our programs are based on caring, honesty, respect and responsibility," says Nancy Short, association director for Youth and Teen Development with the YMCA of Greater Indianapolis.

All YMCA camp programs are age appropriate and available in varying lengths to suit your child's personal comfort level - half day, full day and overnight.

According to Short, the YMCA programs offer not only a traditional camp program, but those that feature arts enrichment, adventure, sports, leadership development and more.

"We think of these camps as a 'safe place to fail,'" Short says. "If a child is learning to swim the length of the pool, for example, and cannot complete the task, no one is going to make fun or say anything. The counselors are great to work with the kids on an individual basis, and everyone has a huge cheering section when they accomplish a feat. It's such a fun, caring atmosphere."

For campers who are ready for more of an extended stay, the YMCA offers overnight camp at Flat Rock, about 45 minutes east of Indianapolis near Shelbyville.

"One of the nice things about that program is that in addition to the regular camp schedule (Sunday afternoon through Saturday afternoon), we offer 'mini-camp' from Wednesday afternoon through Saturday for younger kids who may not be ready to stay the full week," Short says.

For the young athlete in your family, Indiana University-Purdue University at Indianapolis offers day camps focused on swimming and diving, soccer, lacrosse, tennis and track/field events.

"These camps are really geared toward kids who are hoping to improve their sport skills and enjoy many activities throughout the day," says Pam Ross at the IUPUI Sport Complex.

For over 20 years, these sport camps have provided kids as young as elementary school age with an opportunity to work on their athletic skills and improve their competitive edge through instruction from well-qualified instructors. Day campers also learn about other aspects of sport, such as technique and calisthenics, through classroom instruction geared to their individual sport.

Families may not be able to commit to a structured camp experience due to schedule conflicts or budget restrictions. In such cases, parents can easily put together a fun-filled "Camp Mom" right in their own back yard.

Becca Widmer, an Indiana resident, has introduced this concept to many parents who want to keep their children occupied and entertained during those long, hot summer months. Getting a few moms together to take turns "hosting" the backyard camp allows for each to pitch in and help, as well as enjoy the fun.

Camp Mom themes can run the gamut from nature, garden and bugs to the circus, while incorporating songs, games, a quick-and-easy snack and fun craft project. Don't forget a "cool off" activity, such as sprinkler tag or a water balloon toss to beat the heat.

In the event of a rainy afternoon, there also are a number of indoor activities to keep the kids entertained: making hand puppets and putting on a show, cooking, making popcorn and watching a movie, T-shirt painting or enjoying an afternoon of games and puzzles.

Widmer also compiled a list of area sights that would make for an easy day or afternoon trip. An online visit to www.indy.org is the perfect place to discover your own local activities and day-trip destinations.

Summer camps definitely come in all types and sizes these days. Perhaps if there had been this many choices when I was younger, I may have ended up with a more fulfilling experience than the soggy one I endured. Regardless, I'm eager to put some of the Camp Mom activities to the test this summer with my own kids. In a couple of years, I'm sure they'll be ready to give day camps a try, whether sport-related or traditional. And I don't think getting their feet wet would bother them in the least.

Camp Mom Recipes

Big Bubbles

1-qt. water

4 T Joy dishwashing liquid

4 T glycerin

Mix gently in a dishpan. Use string loops, unbent coat hangers or coffee cans (with both ends cut out) as blowers.

Finger Paint

1Ú2 cup laundry starch

1Ú4 cup cold water

11Ú2 cup hot water

1Ú2 cup soap flakes (Ivory or Dreft)

1 t. glycerin

Mix the starch and cold water in a saucepan. Pour hot water in and heat on low until glossy. Remove from heat; add soap and glycerin. Use food coloring or tempera powder to make different colors.

Goo

Mix green food coloring with 2 cups white glue. Gradually add 1 cup liquid starch. Mix until you get a "gooey" consistency. Refrigerate overnight.

NEED TO KNOW:

YMCA of Greater Indianapolis

Summer Camp Program

(317) 266-9622

www.indymca.org

Financial assistance available

IUPUI Sport Camp Program

Contact: Pam Ross

(317) 274-6787

www.sportcomplex.iupui.edu (Click on IU Natatorium, choose Camps from pull-down menu)

Multi-session/multi-child discounts available; no scholarships

Rebecca James is a freelance writer who writes for local and regional publications, as well as a mom to three high-spirited young boys.

Article appears as published in the IW July 2006 issue.