Getaways

Summer Camps for the Rich by Catherine E. Lewis and Novia T. Tijaja

ummer ushers-in the perennial tradi- hoops, as well as an extensive waterfront on Echo Lake tion of school-aged kids heading off to with separate dock systems for swimming, sailing, ca- camp. Since the 1900s, summer camps noeing, waterskiing and windsurfing. The tuition fee for have long been part of the youth experience for children the 2011 program is $10,500 Sand teenagers across the globe. In the United States for Another camp in Maine, Camp Androscoggin has example, there are about 12,000 camps offered nation- twelve tennis courts (4 clay, 8 all-weather, 4 lighted for wide; in France, more than 25% of children enjoy sum- night play), a radio broadcasting station and art cen- mer camps each year. But in today’s consumer market ter houses facilities used for animation, crafts, ceram- where choices are key, the summer camp of yesteryear ics, woodworking, drawing and set designs—all for the has taken a plethora of forms: sporting camps for the price of $10,400. athletically gifted, religious camps for the spiritual and Most of these elite camps are privately owned by now, super deluxe camps for the uber wealthy. families who don’t necessarily see what they offer as Costing anywhere between US$10,000 – $25,000, outrageous luxuries. They argue that the steep fees are these elite summer camps offer the newest and best a product of the constant refurbishing and upkeep, plus facilities in some of the most exquisite getaway loca- the fact that the facilities sit unused most of the year. tions. In the US, luxe summer camp locales include the Laurel South, a camp near Portland, Maine, spent a cool Hamptons, Cape Cod and the Berkshires. $1million to renovate its kitchen and “mess hall.” Along Camp Vega, a girls-only camp in Echo Lake, Maine, with its million-dollar renovations, the camp also main- has a 4,000-square-foot air-conditioned health center, ski tains fleets of sailboats, professional ski boats, and an jumps on the lake, a 37-station ropes course, an eques- NHL-quality outdoor roller hockey arena. trian center where campers can board their own horses But perhaps the newest addition making waves in for the summer, and a USTA tennis ranking program for the luxury summer camp category is the “Global Fellows elite junior players. Take a look at a 4-star tennis pro- in Social Enterprise” program—a summer camp where gram coached by Davis Cup team players at Raquette the sons and daughters from 20 of the world’s richest Lake Camp in the Adirondacks. The $10,750-valued families learn how to better cultivate their wealth and camp also allows its participants to board horses for the privilege. Launching this June, the exclusive summer summer. camp takes place in New York with a hefty price tag of Camp Laurel in Maine, which operates an 8,000 $25,000. The camp’s founder is Michael Loeb, founder square foot indoor fieldhouse, features 10 basketball of magazine marketing company Synapse Group. At the

90 lavish private launch party, Michael $500 million deal in 2001. work with business-strategy coaches explained his motives for the program. The Global Fellows program is and mingle with “captains of industry” “Why are we targeting high-net-worth jointly run with New York University’s during their stay. Parents who put their families? It’s not because we’re snobs” Robert F. Wagner’s Graduate School of kids into the Global Fellows summer he said to a high-end crowd including Public Service and Echoing Green, a camp will be eligible for $2,500 tax de- Silda Wall Spitzer, wife of former New nonprofit. duction as Loeb plans to donate $2,500 York governor Eliot Spitzer. “It’s because The six-week program will offer per participant to charities. they are the people that frankly have the participants formal course work, a busi- So put down the marshmallows, resources to really make big changes in ness plan competition and a four week and fold up that tent. Summer camp the world.” Michael’s company, Synapse internship with a social enterprise non- just got a lot more serious and a lot Group, was sold to Time Warner in a profit. Participants of college-age will more luxurious! n

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