For Kids Who Like Horsing Around or Being Footloose, These Camps Have It All

DELHI, NY (04/08/2010)(readMedia)-- New York State's Great Western Catskills in Delaware County have long been a playground for the young, a place where memories are made, and a place to come back to and share with your own kids. With summer in sight, it's time for families to make plans for summer camp sign-ups for the kids. What could be better than your kids learning great outdoor skills and romping through the fields and woods of the Western Catskills.

Summer Camp choices

Horsin' around is something kids are usually expert at. Now they can learn how to do it for real! Stone Tavern Farm in Roxbury offers many choices for horseback riding enthusiasts amidst 400 scenic acres. The farm offers half-day, all-day and overnight horse camp for nine weeks every summer. Each camp is one week long and there are also specialty camps on the weekends. "In addition to the camp we offer trail rides by the hour, multiple hours or overnight. The most popular trail is the picnic trail ride where you and your guest trail for an hour before coming to your private lunch down by the stream," commented owner Danielle Burrows. For additional information, please visit: stonetavernfarm.com or call (607) 326-3600.

If your child is more of the dramatic type, our mountains have great offerings that will put them right in the middle of a scene from the Sound of Music. The Festival of the Performing Arts at French Woods the camp covers theatre, circus, dance and music in its programming, rounded out with sports like tennis, basketball, golf, waterfront games, horseback riding and more. Sessions run from just under three weeks to just under three months. For more information visit www.frenchwoods.com/music-camp.htm.

For the 25th year, the West Kortright Centre in East Meredith is sponsoring children's theater workshops, accommodating a range of ages and interest levels. The workshops, which focus on Shakespeare, music and general theater education, have drawn young theater enthusiasts from a wide range of nearby towns. For a program schedule, please visit: www.westkc.org or phone: (607) 278-5454.

Delaware County is also home to 4-H Camp Shankitunk in Delhi, a co-educational summer camp for children between the ages of 8-16. Campers live eight to a cabin for a week, with one or two counselors. Campers choose four of nearly 30 classes in which to participate in daily, and all campers bring home souvenirs. Information: (607) 865-6531 or log on to: www.4hcampsny.org/shankitunk.

Classic camp experiences can be found at Camp Hilltop in Hancock gives children the chance "to feel comfortable and excel in a non-competitive, structured and nurturing environment." This co-ed private residential summer camp is for children ages 6-16 and sessions range from two to eight weeks. For more information, please call (607) 637-5201 or visit: www.camphilltop.com.

Frost Valley YMCA's summer camp, just over the border in Ulster County, unites traditional camping with innovative programs, focusing on building and maintaining healthy lifestyles and reflects the interests and needs of a dynamic camp community. Campers participate in activities designed to build trust, teamwork and mutual understanding. There are four two-week sessions and one weeklong session for boys and girls ages 7-16. For additional information, call (845) 985-2291, ext. 301 or visit: www.FrostValley.org.

Great Western Catskills Tourism

The Great Western Catskills is an easy day trip from New York City metro area, Albany, or Binghamton and a great weekend getaway or vacation destination for all. To learn more about outdoor resources, Stay-and-Play Packages or any other activities in the western Catskills, log on to: www.greatwesterncatskills.com. For free travel literature, call toll-free: (866) 775-4425 or e-mail: info@greatwesterncatskills.com. For timely events in the area visit delawarecountytoday.com.