EAST BAY - Have you ever picked up your kids after a day of summer camp and grown green with envy when they go on about all the fun they've had? "You went out cruising in the bay and pulled up some lobster pots?" "You fed a goat?" "You went kayaking?" "Boy, I wish I could go to summer camp!" Well you can, if you look hard enough.
The rise of family inclusive programs is one of the biggest trends in summer camps, according to the American Camp Association (ACA). Although there are only a handful in the Rhode Island area, several have been added in recent years, including a brand-new family program at the Audubon Society's Environmental Education Center in Bristol this summer.
"In the past decade and a half, ACA-accredited camps are reporting family camping at much higher rates," according to Lucy Norvell, director of public information for ACA.
The reasons for increasing popularity of family camps are many. One is marketing, said Ms. Norvell. "A family of a camp-age child can come and see what it's like, interact with the counselors and try out some of the activities," she said.
Some camps add family programs near the end of the traditional camping season because it's cost effective, she said. "It's beautiful in New England before Labor Day weekend. It's a way to extend the season," she said.
But much of the demand for family camps is coming from, yes, the families themselves. "Parents are juggling — balancing work and family. They like spending time with their kids, unplugged and away from home," said Ms. Norvell.
The Audubon center in Bristol noticed that parents and grandparents who were taking toddlers to nature programs seemed as interested in the presentations as the kids, according to Tracey Hall, camp coordinator.
"We're speaking to the adults just as much as the kids, sometimes more. They're learning as much as the kids," said Ms. Hall.
There was also a more practical reason for starting the camp. "We have a morning program called 'Early Birds' for a parent, grandparent or guardian to take a young child to camp," Ms. Hall said. "But a lot of times, there would be another child who would be too old for that camp. So we thought, why not a family camp? That enables a lot of parents and grandparents to take a couple of siblings along and not worry about them."
The Audubon has previously offered a family camp in other parts of Rhode Island — its headquarters in Smithfield will also host one this summer. Such a camp can test a staff, because of the wide range in ages, said Ms. Hall.
"It can be challenging to the instructor, because it's like a one-room classroom and you're speaking to different levels," she said.
However, staff members have found that the older children who attend can help out, she said. "I'm hoping it catches on for Bristol," said Ms. Hall, adding that the camp will run daily, July 2-6, from 9 a.m. to noon.
Children who are curious about their parents' college experience can get a G-rated version at the University of Rhode Island's family camp, which runs July 29-30 at the Kingston campus. Kids and their folks have the option of bunking overnight in one of the dormitories. Or, they can just come for the daily activities on and off campus, including a visit to the W. Alton Jones environmental education center, a lobster bake, ice skating and more.
"This is the seventh year we've done this," said Gina Dei, spokesperson for the camp. "We invite alumni family and friends to come back with their children or grandchildren to see where they studied, lived and played when they were students. Last year we sold out and had about 70 people."
The alumni's children, who range in age from 3 to almost college age, enjoy learning about college life, she said. "They love it. Staying in the dorm is a totally cool experience for them," said Ms. Dei.
Family camp programs are particularly attractive to parents with children who have special needs. The Clara Barton Camp for Children with Diabetes in North Oxford, Mass. has an additional family camp in August that typically has a waiting list due to its popularity, according to Danielle Eid, resident camp director.
"Diabetes is a family disease," Ms. Eid said. "When one person has it, the whole family has it."
In additional to activities such as swimming, boating and arts and crafts, participants learn more about how to deal with the disease through games such as "Diabetes Family Feud" and "Diabetes Bobsled," she said.
"We have things for the siblings as well. When your brother or sister has this disease and they're getting more attention, different feelings come up," she said.
Grandparents bond with kids
Today's families have such busy schedules that often times grandparents get lost in the mix. The popular grandparents' camp at the Canonicus Camp and Conference Center in Exeter is one option for families who'd like to remedy that situation.
The center took its cue years ago after learning about a grandparents camp in Wisconsin, said spokesperson Kathy Black. "This is our eighth year. We're definitely bringing something new to the northeast," she said.
The center offers the typical activities you'd find at a summer camp in the woods — swimming, arts and crafts, boating, archery, music, campfires and nature appreciation — but is distinguished by its participants' generational gap.
The camp is so popular that the first week — starting July 8 — is already booked. The center added a second week, which runs from Aug. 4-10.
Ms. Black said the camp's success is due mainly to the change of pace that allows children to bond more with their grandparents. "We're in a setting that's different from day-to-day life. There are fewer distractions and more focus on developing relationships, listening to each other and spending time together," she said.
The camp has served as a reunion spot of sorts for family members who don't live in close proximity. "We have folks who come as far away as Ohio, who come to spend time with their Rhode Island grandkids," said Ms. Black.
Camp counselors have noticed that not only do the family members bond with each other, but also with other campers as well. The new relationships that are forged bring back the same campers year after year.
"Last year, there was only one new person in the group. There's very little change because they all call early and book the week," she said.
Besides the on-site attractions, campers also go off for day trips to Watch Hill and other spots. This year they'll attend the Big Apple Circus in Charlestown.
But the grandparents perhaps treasure the quiet time that most. "We have one-on-one time where they'll separate and they may choose to go bird-watching together," said Ms. Black.
The camp is also there to help members of the older set who get tuckered out.
"Every day, the staff at Canonicus take the kids and they go off with counselors to play games," said Ms. Black. "They give the grandparents a break and that's huge. This is a 24/7 deal. The grandparents are physically tired because these kids keep them going."
Other family camp programs
There are several other places where you can enjoy a camp experience with the entire family:
* Roger Williams Park Zoo in Providence offers a family camp for adults and kids ages 9-12 from Aug. 14-18, from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. There will be plenty of outdoor activities, group discussions and a whale watch. Call 785-3510 for more information.
* The Episcopal Conference Center in Pascoag offers a family camp June 1-3. You can star at a cabin in the woods and enjoy crafts, campfires and games. For more information, call 568-4055.
* You can stay overnight with your family aboard the USS Massachusetts at Battleship Cove, Fall River. A typical night, according to spokesman Jack Casey, starts when you report between 1 and 3 p.m. Then comes a 5 p.m. fire drill, dinner, a limited Morse code class, an orientation film, storytellers, a knot-tying class and a full-length move before lights out at 11 p.m. For more information, visit www.battleshipcove.org.
By Jim McGaw
jmcgaw@eastbaynewspapers.com