BudgetTravel

Wonder Valley Family Camp, Sanger
In the foothills of Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks. Petting zoo, skateboard park, go-kart and minibike tracks. Sailing, waterskiing, horseback riding, tennis, ropes course. ACA accredited. LODGING: Hotel-style rooms sleep seven. FOOD: Three buffets daily; Thursday is parents' night, with child care and themes such as prime rib dinner. CONTACT: Aug. 5-11, Aug. 12-18; $4,766; 800/821-2801, wondervalleyfamilycamp.com.

COLORADO
Cheley Colorado Camps, Estes Park
Two camps adjacent to Rocky Mountain National Park and Roosevelt National Forest, at 8,000 feet. Horseback riding, rock climbing, fishing, skit nights, talent show, archery, riflery. ACA accredited. LODGING: Thirty-two covered wagons sleep four; shared bathhouse. FOOD: Three family-style meals daily; snacks throughout the day. CONTACT: Aug. 7-12; $2,700; 800/226-7386, cheley.com.

(Steve Giralt) WHERE NEXT? It's just like traditional summer camp, but adults are allowed. Learn about family camps from assistant editor David LaHuta on "Where Next?," our weekly Web show with CNN.com. • Launch the video MARCH 2007 ISSUE • Table of Contents • Dream Trips • Lighthouses of Croatia • Family Camps • Eat Like a Local: Chicago • Trips That Can Change Your Life: Adventure Biking • Road Trip: The Olympic Peninsula • 40 Best

Colorado Heritage Camps, Denver
Ten camps for multicultural families with internationally adopted children. Each camp celebrates a different culture, from African/Caribbean to Vietnamese. Teachers and counselors are the same ethnicity as the kids. LODGING: Lodge rooms with private bath sleep six on bunks; cabins with kitchen and shared bath sleep 7 to 12; RV and tent sites. FOOD: Buffet breakfasts and dinners; culture-specific cafeteria lunches. CONTACT: June 21-Sept. 3; $680; 303/320-4234, heritagecamps.org.

Crow Canyon Archaeological Center, Cortez
Near Mesa Verde National Park. Excavate Pueblo Indian artifacts alongside archaeologists, learn Native American history, throw traditional Pueblo spears. LODGING: Navajo-style log cabins with electricity and shared bathhouse sleep up to five. FOOD: Three cafeteria-style meals daily (vegetarian options). CONTACT: Aug. 12-18; $3,800 (plus $85 membership fee; kids must be 12 or older); 800/422-8975, crowcanyon.org.

CONNECTICUT
Club Getaway, Kent
On 300 acres in the foothills of the Berkshires. Waterskiing, water trampoline, sailing, and banana-boat rides. Fitness program, wine tasting, cooking classes, golf, trapeze, mountain biking, rock climbing. Movie theater. LODGING: Wood cabins with A/C and private bath sleep two to four; towels and linens provided (housekeepers clean rooms and change linens). FOOD: Breakfast and lunch buffets and restaurant-style dinner (with wine); full bar. CONTACT: Aug. 20-23, Aug. 24-26; $2,412; 877/746-7529, clubgetaway.com.

HAWAII
YMCA Camp Erdman, Oahu
On the North Shore. Double-decker ropes course, river kayaking, arts-and-crafts classes such as bookmaking and painting. Child care available. ACA accredited. LODGING: Bunkhouses with electricity and private bathrooms sleep 8 to 16; tent sites. FOOD: Three buffets daily. CONTACT: May 11-13, June 29-July 1, Oct. 26-28; $380 (kids 3 and under are free); 808/637-4615, camperdman.net.

INDIANA
Flat Rock River YMCA Camp, St. Paul
On 240 acres along the Flat Rock River. Climbing on the 50-foot alpine tower, rappelling down a limestone quarry, fishing in a pond. Guided hikes, hayrides, archery, BB-gun range. ACA accredited. LODGING: Wood cabins with electricity and private bath sleep 12 on bunks; yurts with electricity and shared bathhouse sleep 12 on bunks. FOOD: Three buffets in dining hall; snacks throughout the day. CONTACT: May 26-28, Sept. 1-3; $384; 888/828-9622, flatrockymca.org.

MAINE
Little Lyford Pond Camps, Greenville
Owned and operated by the Appalachian Mountain Club, on the Katahdin Iron Works property. Hiking to the waterfalls in Gulf Hagas gorge, canoeing on Lyford Ponds, fly-fishing lessons. Evening programs in local history, science, and nature. LODGING: Log cabins with a wood-burning stove, gas and kerosene lamps, running water, and shared bathhouse sleep two to six; bunkhouse with no electricity and shared bathhouse sleeps 12. FOOD: Buffet breakfast, trail lunch, and family-style dinner daily; evening cookout. CONTACT: July 15-20; $1,270 (7 percent discount for AMC members, $75 annual fee); 207/280-0708, outdoors.org/adventure_camps.

Medawisla Wilderness Camps, Kokadjo
On the Second Roach Pond, between Moosehead Lake and Baxter State Park. Owned and run by the Appalachian Mountain Club. Search for lizards, salamanders, and newts around Emmit Brook; hike on local trails, including to Hinckley Logan to see an eagle's nest. Moose-watching trip. LODGING: Wood cabins sleep 2 to 10; private bathrooms, screened porches, and kitchens. FOOD: Buffet breakfast, trail lunch, and family-style dinner daily; cookout on the dock. CONTACT: July 8-13; $1,270 (7 percent discount for AMC members, $75 annual fee); 207/695-2690, outdoors.org/adventure_camps.

Medomak Camp, Washington
A secular camp on Washington Pond since 1904. Sailing, tennis, field games. Yoga, knitter's retreat, women's wellness workshop, classes on ecology and conservation. Massage therapist on staff. ACA accredited. LODGING: Eleven pine cabins sleep six; private bathroom. FOOD: Three family-style meals daily; coffee and tea throughout the day; beer and cheese tasting; lobster dinner once a week. CONTACT: June 24-Aug. 18; $3,050; 866/633-6625, medomakcamp.com.

MASSACHUSETTS
YMCA Camp Hi-Rock, Mount Washington
On 1,000 acres of protected Berkshires forest. Waterskiing, sailing, and kayaking on Plantain Pond. Hiking along the Appalachian Trail. Ropes courses, softball, basketball, soccer. ACA accredited. LODGING: Wood cabins with electricity and shared bathhouse sleep 12 on bunks; lodge rooms with shared and private bathrooms sleep four to eight on bunks. FOOD: Three family-style meals daily; Saturday beach cookout. CONTACT: Aug. 20-26, family weekends year-round; $1,000 (kids under 3 free); 413/528-1227, camphirock.com.

MICHIGAN
YMCA Camp Pendalouan, Montague
Adjacent to Manistee National Forest, on 150 wooded acres. Canoeing, kayaking, and sailing on Big Blue Lake. Climbing tower, skit nights, arts and crafts, archery, horseback riding. ACA accredited. LODGING: Cabins with electricity and shared bathhouse sleep 14 on bunks. FOOD: Three family-style meals daily; cookout at Lake Michigan. CONTACT: June 30-July 3; $625; 231/894-4538, pendalouan.org.