Schools out and children are on their way to an adventure filled summer packed with activities and learning experiences that earlier generations never had. From riding camps in Russia and tennis camps in Amsterdam, to spy camps in D.C. and Scuba adventures in Australia, kids are skipping the back yard slip ‘n slide and heading to exotic islands, exploring various cultures and learning leadership skills to carry them through adulthood.
The rising cost of summer camps hasn’t seemed to slow down attendance. There are thousands to choose from and parents are disentangling their children from video games and cell phones and sending them to camp with the hope of improving their self-confidence and world outlook. But they may need to dip into the college savings account to pay for these life lessons. Here’s a sample of the pricier options for a summer camp experience of a lifetime.