International Sports Training Camp (ISTC)
Stroudsburg, PA (570) 620-2267; international-sports.com
ISTC offers the best of both worlds by mashing up a sports camp with a traditional summer camp. Campers experience everything from soccer drills to lip-sync contests, lacrosse scrimmages, banana boating, cricket lessons, and outdoor cookouts and camp dances. Throughout the day, kids rotate to different athletic experiences, where they work first on skills and then compete in teams. With a roster that includes familiar sports like soccer, flag football and volleyball, as well as international sports like cricket and rugby, campers are sure to get their sports fix. Older campers (15-17) can also choose extreme sport activities including laser tag, dune buggies, and late-night dodge-ball tournaments.
Ages: 8 to 17 Dates: Five- to seven-day sessions from June 22 to Aug 22 Fees: $1,075-$1,495 all sports/soccer; $1,125-$1,555 IXTC Adventure Camp Transportation: No, but exceptions can be made Drive Time from White Plains: 1 hour, 50 minutes
Kutsher’s Sports Academy
Great Barrington, MA (888) 874-5400; kutsherssportsacademy.com
Since 1968, Kutsher’s has been a leader in the sports-camp world. NBA luminaries like Wilt Chamberlain, Walt Frazier, Julius Erving, and Kareem Abdul Jabbar have visited and taught at the Berkshire Mountains camp. But it’s not just about basketball. Campers can also hone their skills in baseball, softball, lacrosse, gymnastics, volleyball, tennis, track and field, as well as numerous water sports. After a $2 million renovation begun in 2008, the property (which sits on the 240-acre Lake Buel) boasts a 15,000-square-foot main lodge, a new 20,000-square-foot indoor field house, brand-new courts and fields, as well as an updated gymnastics facility, a spin room for older campers, and new weight-training equipment.
Ages: 7 to 17 Dates: Sessions of various durations run from June 14 to Aug 15 Fees: $2,900 and up per week; $11,900 for full summer Transportation: Yes, additional charge Drive Time from White Plains: 2 hours, 10 minutes
World Sports Camp at The Williston Northampton School
Easthampton, MA (401) 738-9119; worldsportscamp.com
If your sports fan has an international flair, World Camp will be just the right place: Its camper population hails from 86 different countries around the world, and at any given time there are seven to 10 different countries represented. The camp’s philosophy is “developing new national and international friendships through sports improves the quality of life for all involved.” It also stresses fairness, quality sportsmanship, and enforcement of rules and regulations within its intensive sports program for basketball, golf, soccer, and tennis. The staff consists of college, university, and professional coaches who are experts in helping youngsters build fundamental and advanced skill sets in these four popular sports. Campers can choose to focus exclusively on one sport or mix and match to try all four.
Ages: 6 to 16 Dates: Two- to six-week sessions starting June 28 until August 8 Fees: $1,375-$1,550 per week Transportation: No Drive Time from White Plains: 2 hours, 10 minutes
