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Vermont Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Credit: Courtesy

When I was 13, summer camp in Galveston, Texas, entailed dragging my feet methodically through ankle-deep mud. I was doing what my counselors called “the stingray shuffle.” This practice was essential to alert stingrays of our presence so that an alarmed creature wouldn’t go on the attack. (Luckily, the only casualties of these excursions were my fellow campers’ footwear.) Later that evening, we’d return to the surf to go crabbing for our own dinner. That’s where I tried my first-ever oyster fresh from the Atlantic.

These were some of the activities that I did during three summer sessions at Texas A&M University’s Sea Camp. At the time, I thought I might want to be a marine biologist. That camp offered me a chance to sit in college classrooms and learn from professors about different types of coral and predators. I got up close with real marine life in the ocean, too.

Ultimately, the classroom and lab time made me realize that a career in biology wasn’t for me, but I had the chance to learn that for myself – and I made some pretty unforgettable memories.

I love s’mores and macrame bracelets as much as the next person, but some kids might prefer a different kind of summer camp adventure, one where they can explore a specialized interest that might lead to a future career or a lifelong hobby.

These kinds of opportunities abound in Vermont. The state is home to the nationally known circus arts camp at Circus Smirkus and the musical oasis at Kinhaven, but there’s a wide array other choices, too, from camps where kids literally take flight to immersive courses in West African culture. We’ve highlighted six of them here.

Find more camps at campfindervt.com.

National Summer Transportation Institute

National Summer Transportation Institute Credit: Courtesy

Middle and high schoolers who never outgrew a childhood fascination with construction sites might enjoy the National Summer Transportation Institute. Hosted by Vermont State University, with funds from the Federal Highway Administration, the program offers a peek at job opportunities that involve helping people get from one place to another, whether that’s through civil engineering, managing natural resources or flying fighter jets.

“I think that it’s so eye-opening for young people to realize the breadth of the possible careers in transportation,” said Mary O’Leary, camp director and professor of civil and environmental engineering technology at VTSU.

Campers do engineering challenges, visit a construction site, drive a big rig in a CDL simulator and, weather permitting, go up in an airplane with Vermont Flight Academy. A combination of VTSU faculty and staff and industry professionals teach the classes — including Vermont Agency of Transportation scientists, engineers and technicians.

The week culminates in a graduation ceremony where campers win awards and display their work. High school attendees who elect to pursue a transportation career receive a $1,000 scholarship to VTSU. The camp itself is free but requires an application with a written response and a letter of reference. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.

Vermont Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Half-Day Summer Camp

  • Williston
  • vermontbjj.com
  • June 17-20, July 21-25, August 11-15
  • Ages: 5-10
  • Cost: $200-250

Julio Cesar “Foca” Fernandez Nunes is a seventh-degree coral belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu — meaning he’s maintained black-belt status in this martial art for more than 30 years. After decades of competing and winning championships in Brazil, he moved to the U.S. in 1989 and opened Vermont Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Five years ago, the school began developing its programs for kids, and, in 2023, Vermont Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu started offering summer camp sessions.

“You’re not going to get this kind of training, skill or knowledge anywhere else in the state,” said Fernandez’s son, Felipe, who also works at the school as an instructor.

Campers get a little bit of everything, including fitness and self-defense training. Fun is a big part of the experience, too, according to Felipe. In addition to martial arts instruction, kids do team activities and play games including “human chess,” where they represent pieces on the board as a way to exercise both teamwork and strategic thinking skills. Campers of any experience level with jiu-jitsu are welcome.

Cultural Camp presented by Shidaa Projects Inc.

In the Ghanaian language, “shidaa” is the word for thankfulness or appreciation. It’s an apt name for this camp, which offers four days of appreciation and joy for the culture of Ghana and West Africa. It’s led by Jordan Mensah, who emigrated from Ghana in 2003, and his wife, Heather. Throughout the year, Jordan leads educational programs for schools about his culture and teaches traditional drumming and dance.

This year is the third year of Shidaa Cultural Summer Camp. During the week, campers learn drumming and dancing, as well as traditional crafts such as fabric printing, beading and dyeing clothing. On the last day of camp, kids attend a cooking class and learn to make jollof rice and fried plantains, both staples of Ghanaian cuisine. At the end of the final day, parents and caregivers are invited to a drumming and dancing celebration.

“There’s not a lot of cultural opportunities for kids of different colors and nationalities in our area, and this is our contribution,” Heather said, adding that not a lot of camps in Vermont have an African focus. “It’s really cool to provide that space that brings lots of different people together, where they can also just learn and be kids.”

Dunkley’s Gymnastics Camp

Dunkley’s Gymnastics Credit: Courtesy

At Dunkley’s Gymnastics Camp, young gymnasts enjoy a blend of the traditional campfire songs, swimming and nature walks along with tumbling, backflips and strength training. Now in its 53rd year, the waterfront campground has a gym, rec hall, climbing wall, sailing, slackline and art classes. It’s predominantly for girls but offers two weeks of coed sessions in July.

The camp was founded in 1973 by Tom Dunkley, a gymnastics coach at the University of Vermont. Kids and parents were interested in a summer program, but the campus dorms weren’t ideal for what Dunkley envisioned. He bought land that had historically been used for a fishing camp and transformed it into an acrobatics wonderland.

It’s still a family operation. In 1990, Dunkley’s daughter Ruth Dunkley-McGowan took ownership of the camp and runs it with her husband, Dan McGowan. Ruth’s brothers, sisters and daughters all come up for the nine weeks of camp to direct different activities. The counselors are from past generations of campers. At age 15, campers can opt to be part of a counselor-in-training program where they receive instruction in safety and leadership skills.

An exhibition on the last day gives campers a chance to present what they learned during the week to family and friends.

“What we’re about is getting to know kids where they are, challenging them and helping them learn new skills,” Ruth said.

Green Mountain Rowing Half-Day Camp

Young rowers start their mornings on the beautiful Lamoille River at the inaugural Green Mountain Rowing Camp. It’s open to rowers of any skill level hoping to learn a new sport. Organizer Meredith Breiland says it’s the “right level of commitment” for those curious about rowing; the camp offers a way for kids to try the sport without signing up for a full season or school year.

“The sport is typically associated with Ivy Leagues and elites, so we’re proud to offer it to kids in an affordable and accessible way,” Breiland said.

The camp’s curriculum will include an introduction to the sport and equipment, coaching sessions, and team-building activities. It’s open to a small group: Eight spaces will be available in the camp’s first year. “It’ll allow for lots of one-on-one instruction,” Breiland said. The camp is a good fit for a rugged, athletic kid, or for one who may not be interested in other sports. There is no running involved, and campers get to spend the day outdoors and on the water.

Both Breiland and her husband, Eric, who is also organizing the camp, are competitive rowers who coach at Craftsbury Sculling Center’s camp. They’re both passionate about the sport and excited to pass it on to the next generation of rowers.

Surf Club Camp

Surf Club Camp Credit: Courtesy

Campers learn how to feel the power of the wind in their sails at Surf Club Camp. Located next to Hula near the Burlington waterfront, Surf Club Camp gets kids outside in the summer sunshine and into Lake Champlain. Activities are somewhat weather dependent, as there needs to be enough wind for a good surfing day. If nature doesn’t cooperate, there’s always paddleboarding and camp games. Campers may also have an opportunity to sail Hobie Cats, a type of catamaran.

Surf Club owners Russ and Roxanne Scully founded the camp seven years ago. Both of them love the outdoors and built the club as a way to get more people out on the water. The camp is a continuation of that mission.

It’s open to all skill levels. The instructors are used to seeing both kids who are brand-new to windsurfing and those who have come back to camp every year and know their stuff.

“Windsurfing is pretty easy to learn,” Surf Club manager Sarah Krause said. “It’s really fun when you get the hang of it and you catch the wind and you start going in one direction with some power.”

The original print version of this article was headlined “Move Over, Archery | Vermont kids can learn unusual skills at camp this summer — from windsurfing to driving a big rig in a CDL simulator”

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This article appears in 2025 Camp Guide.

Gillian English is Assistant to the Publishers at Seven Days. She works on the Classifieds, social media, digital advertising, the Super Reader program and Seven Days Brand Studio. She joined the team in 2019 after graduating from Champlain College in...