BudgetTravel

YMCA Storer Camps, Jackson
On 1,200 wooded acres, next to Stony Lake. Talent show, pie baking, high ropes challenge course, climbing tower, arts and crafts. Theme nights: Kids learn about other cultures on Around the World in Eighty Days night. ACA accredited. LODGING: Cabins sleep 12 on bunks; shared bathhouse. FOOD: Three family-style meals daily. CONTACT: June 24-30, July 1-7; $1,146; 800/536-8607, ymcastorercamps.org.

MINNESOTA
Concordia Language Villages, Bemidji
Language and cultural immersion programs in six architecturally authentic facilities representing France, Germany, Norway, Finland, Russia, and the Spanish-speaking world. Activities simulate environment of each culture. ACA accredited. LODGING: Cabins with electricity, most with shared bath, sleep 16 on bunks. FOOD: Three family-style--and culturally appropriate--meals daily. CONTACT: Apr. 12-15, June 11-16, June 25-30, Aug. 13-18, Aug. 20-25, Aug. 26-31, Sept. 14-16; $1,950; 800/222-4750, concordialanguagevillages.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

Wolf Ridge Environmental Learning Center, Finland
On 2,000 wooded acres with 18 miles of hiking trails. Emphasis on environmental education; classes and activities on forest ecology, wildlife management, tree identification, birding, climate change, and more. LODGING: Rooms sleep eight on bunks; with private bathrooms. FOOD: Three cafeteria-style meals daily. CONTACT: July 23-28; $990; 218/353-7414, wolf-ridge.org.

YMCA Camp Du Nord, Ely
In the Northwoods along the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. Sailing, canoeing, kayaking, and snorkeling in Burntside Lake, field games. LODGING: Modern cabins with kitchen and private bath sleep four to eight; wood cabins with kitchen and shared bathhouse sleep up to 18, some cabins with toilet; rustic cabins with shared bathhouse sleep four to eight; tent sites. FOOD: Three family-style meals daily (meal plan optional). CONTACT: June 16-Sept. 1; $1,500; 651/645-6605, dunord.org.

MISSOURI
YMCA Trout Lodge, Potosi
Adjacent to Mark Twain National Forest, on 5,200 acres with a 360-acre private lake. Horse ranch with trail rides, hayrides, pony rides, and "cowboy camp"--a Saturday-morning program with roping, branding, and horseshoeing demonstrations. Geocaching, rocketry, climbing tower, golf course. ACA accredited. LODGING: Lake-view lodge rooms with private bathrooms sleep four; lake-view lodge suite with common room sleeps six; two-bedroom, two-bathroom cabins sleep 10. FOOD: Three buffets daily. CONTACT: Year-round; $2,107 (kids under 13 free September through May except Memorial Day weekend); 888/386-9622, ymcaoftheozarks.org.

NEW HAMPSHIRE
Camp Takodah, Richmond
Open since 1921, on 500 wooded acres. Lots of activities, many led by the families: swimming and boating on Cass Pond, arts and crafts, storytelling and skit nights, hiking up Mount Monadnock, golf tournament. ACA accredited. LODGING: Wood cabins sleep 10 on bunks; shared bathhouse. FOOD: Three family-style meals served daily. CONTACT: Aug. 26-Sept. 1 (half-week options available); $1,600; 603/239-4781 (summer), 603/352-0447 (winter), camptakodah.org.

Cardigan Lodge & Reservation, Alexandria
On 5,000 acres in Mount Cardigan State Forest, and operated by the Appala-chian Mountain Club. Hike to Welton Falls and Mount Cardigan, take a day trip to the Squam Lakes Natural Science Center, catch frogs in a pond. Nature programs such as "Staying Found with Map and Compass." LODGING: Lodge rooms with private bathrooms sleep two to four; lodge rooms with shared bathroom sleep two to six on bunks. FOOD: Trail lunch and two family-style meals served daily. CONTACT: July 15-20, July 29-Aug. 3, Aug. 19-24; $1,270 (7 percent discount for AMC members, $75 annual fee); 603/744-8011, outdoors.org/adventure_camps.

Highland Center at Crawford Notch, Bretton Woods
At 1,900 feet, next to the White Mountain National Forest. Owned and operated by the Appalachian Mountain Club. Guided nature hikes to Ammonoosuc Lake and Mount Willard. Kayaking, canoeing, and fly-fishing on Saco Lake. Day trips to the Sugarloaf Mountains. Map-and-compass scavenger hunt, live animal show (with woodchucks, owls, and river otters), and an L.L. Bean gear room where you can borrow trekking poles, boots, hats, and other gear. LODGING: Lodge rooms with shared bathroom sleep two to six on bunks; private rooms with private bathroom sleep two to four. FOOD: Buffet breakfast, trail lunch or salad/sandwich bar, and family-style dinner daily; cookouts. CONTACT: July 1-6, Aug. 5-10, Aug. 19-24; $1,460 (14 percent discount for AMC members, $75 annual fee); 603/278-4459, outdoors.org/adventure_camps.

Joe Dodge Lodge at Pinkham Notch, Gorham
Run by the Appalachian Mountain Club, in the White Mountain National Forest at the eastern base of Mount Washington. Nature interpretation (looking for animal tracks, forest ecology, and stream study). Night programs including stories from the stars and White Mountain weather. Moose-spotting excursion. LODGING: Lodge rooms with shared bath sleep two to five. FOOD: Buffet breakfast and family-style lunch and dinner daily; trail lunches available. CONTACT: July 8-13, July 22-27, Aug. 12-17; $1,270 (7 percent discount for AMC members, $75 annual fee); 603/466-2721, outdoors.org/adventure_camps.

YMCA Sandy Island Family Camp, Sandy Island
On a 66-acre private island in Lake Winnipesaukee. Sailing, kayaking, waterskiing. Crafts programs such as beading, photography, and ceramics. Yoga, line dancing, storytelling in little red schoolhouse. LODGING: Waterfront cabins with electricity sleep 2 to 10; some have private bath. FOOD: Three family-style meals daily; Sunday brunch and themed dinners such as Italian night. CONTACT: June 27-Sept. 3; $2,350; 603/253-4217 (summer), 603/569-2725 (winter), si.bostonycamps.org.

NEW JERSEY
Mohican Outdoor Center, Blairstown
Run by the Appalachian Mountain Club, within the 70,000-acre Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area. Speakers on black bear habitats, edible plants, and pond ecology. Hiking on the Appalachian Trail, weekly day trip to the Lakota Wolf Preserve, canoeing and swimming on Catfish Pond. LODGING: Lodge rooms with shared kitchen and bath sleep 18 on bunks; tent sites. FOOD: Two buffet meals and one trail lunch daily. CONTACT: Aug. 5-10, Aug. 12-17, Aug. 19-24; $1,090 (10 percent discount for AMC members, $75 annual fee); 908/362-5670, outdoors.org/adventure_camps.

NEW YORK
Camp Gorham, Eagle Bay
On 1,500 acres in the Adirondacks, with a 400-acre private lake. Square dancing (with a professional caller), limbo contest, talent show. Paddling trips on the Moose River, horseback riding, rock climbing. ACA accredited. LODGING: Cottages with electricity and private bathroom sleep up to 24, mostly on bunks; bunkhouse with kitchen and bath sleeps 48; Adirondack lean-to with electricity and shared bathhouse sleeps four on bunks. FOOD: Three family-style meals daily; ice-cream social. CONTACT: Aug. 19-26; cottage $1,810 (YMCA members $1,740); 888/518-5671, campgorham.org.