Spend a Retro Summer at Camp

An arrow flies into an archery target covered in water balloons, bursting a balloon and sending water everywhere.

In the kitchen, preteens in Cooking Camp feed flat panels of dough through a pasta machine to make noodles.

Students in art camp carve designs into foam blocks for a printmaking craft, while Games Galore campers have ditched their controllers to play Sorry, Battleship and Connect Four.

Outside, a student in a kickball game dives into home base, which counselors have converted to a Slip ‘n Slide.

An old-fashioned summer starts every June at Corbett Prep’s CAMP IDS. All over campus, students are engaged in activities that fire up their creativity, build friendships and encourage movement and exercise. And that’s just what parents hope to find when they enroll their kids in camps that feel like the ones they knew as children.

Technology-based camps remain popular at CAMP IDS – students love the chance to design video games, explore virtual worlds, film movies, battle robots and more. But screen-free camps have passionate advocates, too.

Here are some of the benefits of choosing a camp with a retro flair.

A Tech Break

Many parents clash with their children over how much screen time is appropriate. Long, unstructured summer days can make this even more challenging. A full day of camp can eliminate the argument by filling hours with crafts, games and sports. It’s a good break that promotes more social interaction as kids develop friendships away from apps and text messages.

Time to Play

When students are engaged in classic playground activities, board games or free play, they are problem solving, exercising their imaginations and learning how to navigate a variety of situations with other people. Most importantly, they have a chance to just be kids.

Connecting with Nature

CAMP IDS makes good use of Corbett Prep’s 15 acres, from its athletic fields to the lake. Time outside boosts Vitamin D, improves moods, promotes movement and increases an appreciation of nature. Sports camps, fishing, canoeing, scavenger hunts, obstacle courses, archery and water games get kids out in the fresh air in a beautiful setting.

Learning Something New

With no grades and a short time commitment, summer camps provide a low-stress environment for trying new activities or hobbies. Art camps offer open-ended projects where students may learn a technique and then have hours to experiment with it in any way they want.

Cooking and baking camps introduce both seasoned chefs and new foodies to recipes that may be outside their comfort zones. Or students may uncover a love for sewing, strength training, yoga or chess. They may want to challenge you on family game night to a game from your childhood!

It’s cool to code, create amazing Minecraft worlds or see your own design emerge from the 3D printer. There is room for all that in a busy summer. But adding some 1980s or ’90s activities into the mix could spark interest in and appreciation for low-tech fun as well, just like we did way back in the days before Google.

READ MORE: 

• Middle School at Corbett Prep: Building Strong Foundations for Emotional and Academic Success
• 5 Less-Obvious Reasons for Attending Summer Camp

*Presented by Corbett Prep | Originally published in the April 2025 issue of Tampa Bay Parenting Magazine.