50 All-Star Family Camps

Affiliated with the Unitarian Universalist Association. Daily worship in outdoor chapel, "friendship circle" on beach for prayer and meditation, folk singing and dancing. Learn to play an instrument; photography, weaving, and quilting. Lodging: Dorm-style rooms sleep two to four on doubles, twin beds, and bunks. Food: Buffet breakfast and lunch; family-style dinners; lobster bake cookout. Dates: June 23-Sept. 4. Price: $2,335. 207/282-4489, ferrybeach.org.

Medomak Camp For Families, Washington

Did you see BT on the Today show? Watch Editor Erik Torkells discuss last year's list of the best family camps with host Ann Curry. If you don't already have it, you will need MSN Video Player, a free (and easy!) plug-in, to watch the video Watch the video Download MSN Video Player FAMILY CAMPS • How to Read These Listings • Camp Glossary: Activities! • 50 All-Star Family Camps • The 2005 List MARCH 2006 ISSUE • Table of Contents • Dream Trips: 2006 Edition • The Hungry Man's Tokyo • 50 All-Star Family Camps • Trip Coach: The Caribbean • Road Trip: The Northern Neck, Virginia • 40 Best Vacations

On three-mile-long Washington Pond, surrounded by pine forests and blueberry fields. Activities include tennis, sailing, photography, archery, yoga, swimming, gymnastics, nature hikes, boating, arts and crafts. Lodging: Wooden cabins sleep six on queen and single beds; electricity and private bathrooms. Food: Three family-style meals daily with coffee, tea, and fruit throughout the day; afternoon snack daily; lobster bake once a week. Dates: June 25-Aug. 19. Price: $3,300. 866/633-6625, medomakcamp.com.

Wyonegonic Camps, Denmark

Celebrating 105 years. Lots of water sports on nine-mile-long lake: sailing, windsurfing, canoeing, waterskiing, bass fishing. Six tennis courts, archery, high and low ropes courses, pottery, arts and crafts. ACA accredited. Lodging: Wooden cabins sleep up to 14 on cots; platform tents sleep four on cots; none have electricity, and all share bathhouses. Food: Family-style breakfast and dinner, buffet lunch, served in lodge; lobster cookout once per session (costs extra). Dates: Aug. 18-21; Aug. 21-25; Aug. 25-27. Price: $490. 207/452-2051, wyonegonic.com.

MASSACHUSETTS

YMCA Camp Hi-Rock, Mount Washington

On 1,000 acres of protected woodland in the southern Berkshires. Waterskiing (costs extra), sailing, boat races, fishing tournament on 90-acre private lake. Hiking, camper-versus-counselor volleyball, soccer, square dancing, bingo, archery, talent show. ACA accredited. Lodging: Wooden cabins (some with porches) with electricity and shared bathhouses sleep up to 12 on bunks; carpeted lodge rooms, some with private baths, sleep 8 on bunks. Food: Three buffets daily in the dining hall; beach barbecue every Saturday. Dates: Aug. 20-27. Price: $1,300. 413/528-1227, camphirock.com.

MICHIGAN

Rainbow Families Great Lakes Family Week, Saugatuck

For lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender parents and their families, on the western shore of Lake Michigan. Picnics, sunset social hour, family dance celebration with bubble machines and music, kite making, teen bowling night, personal story sharing, workshops for kids and adults on coping with homophobia. Lodging: Accommodations aren't included (for information on where to stay, visit the Saugatuck/Douglas Visitors Bureau at saugatuck.com). Food: Continental breakfast daily; some lunches and dinners. Dates: July 8-13. Price: About $125 per family. 616/218-9679, rfgl.org.

YMCA Camp Pendalouan, Montague