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A NerdWallet/Harris Poll survey found that 1 in 4 parents expected to spend over $2,000 per child on summer camp in 2025, and some would go into debt to cover it. While this isn’t something we recommend at all, if you do feel like this summer might be worth a splurge for your kiddos and you can cover it, we’ve done some research for you.
And if you’re going to splurge, you want the experience to be truly special, the kind of thing your kid remembers for years, not just another week of generic crafts and kickball.
Below are five fancy camps that really do offer something extraordinary: boats in the Caribbean, jaguars in Brazil, rockets in Alabama, conservatory-level arts, and global travel with purpose. Oh my!
Camps at a Glance
- Sail Caribbean: Live aboard a yacht in the British Virgin Islands, learning sailing, scuba, and marine biology.
- Great Beyond Adventures with Zoo New England: A once-in-a-lifetime wildlife expedition to Brazil’s Pantanal and Amazon, ideal for older teens + parents.
- Space Camp (U.S. Space & Rocket Center): Classic STEM fantasy - simulated missions, rockets, and astronaut training in Huntsville, Alabama.
- Interlochen Arts Camp: A world-famous arts camp in Michigan for serious young musicians, writers, actors, dancers, and visual artists.
- Rustic Pathways: Global teen-travel programs in 30+ countries blending adventure, cultural immersion, and service.
Let’s zoom in on what makes each one extraordinary, and whether it might be the right kind of splurge for your family.
1. Sail Caribbean: Living on a Yacht in the BVI
If your teen has even whispered the words “sailing” or “marine biology,” Sail Caribbean is basically the fantasy. These are 2–3-week adventure programs in the British Virgin Islands where students live aboard modern 50′ monohulls or 45′ catamarans, learning to sail, scuba-dive, and work as a crew.
Each program focuses on a core theme (sailing, scuba, marine biology, watersports, or community service), but every itinerary includes a bit of everything: snorkeling coral reefs, navigating, night watches, shore excursions, and service projects with local communities.
- Why it’s a splurge: This is not “day camp at the pool.” It’s an immersive, multi-week, away-from-home, live-on-the-boat experience with built-in leadership, life skills, and independence. Think gap-year vibes in a teen-sized package.
- Best for: Confident, reasonably independent teens (usually 12–18 years) who love water, adventure, and being part of a tight-knit crew.
- Anticipated cost: Between $6,095 - $8,195, depending on the adventure and number of days. This does not include transportation fees to get to camp.
2. Great Beyond Adventures (Zoo New England): Jaguars & the Amazon
Technically, Great Beyond Adventures is marketed as a once-in-a-lifetime trip for two with Zoo New England, not a classic kids’ camp, but for wildlife-obsessed older teens and parents, it’s the kind of experience that sits in the same “splurge” category.
The current itinerary is an 11-day adventure through Brazil, including jaguar-spotting in the Pantanal, exploring the Amazon rainforest, and visiting Iguazu Falls, hosted by Zoo New England’s VP of Development and professional wildlife guides.
- Why it’s a splurge: It includes international travel, boutique wildlife lodges, and guided safaris. It’s less “drop your kid off” and more “high-end, conservation-focused family expedition” where a teen gets to see real field conservation and rare wildlife up close.
- Best for: Older teens + parent (or grandparent) duos who are deeply into animals, conservation, and travel, and ready for long flights, early mornings, and serious wildlife time.
- Anticipated cost: $8,500 for a double occupancy accommodation.
3. Space Camp: The Original STEM Fantasy
If your kid has ever stared at the stars or built elaborate LEGO rockets, Space Camp at the U.S. Space & Rocket Center in Huntsville, Alabama, is the stuff of legend.
Space Camp programs are typically six-day residential experiences where kids ages 9–18 dive into rocketry, astronaut training simulations, underwater activities, and team missions. There are specific tracks (Space Camp, Space Academy, Advanced Space Academy, Aviation Challenge, Robotics Camp) with age-appropriate content and difficulty.
Campers train on simulators, work through mission scenarios, and explore real spacecraft and artifacts. It’s like a mash-up of STEM lab, sci-fi movie, and sleepaway camp, minus the arts-and-crafts focus.
- Why it’s a splurge: Tuition, travel to Alabama, and the intensity of a specialty program make this a big-ticket, “bucket list” camp for many families, especially those far from Huntsville.
- Best for: STEM-loving kids who are excited by space, engineering, or robotics, and can handle a full, structured week away from home.
- Anticipated cost: $1,799 - $2,999, depending on the track. This does not include transportation.
4. Interlochen Arts Camp: Conservatory in the Woods
For young artists, Interlochen Arts Camp in Michigan is often described as the summer arts experience. Students in grades 3–12 come from around the world to focus on music, theatre, dance, visual arts, creative writing, film, and interdisciplinary arts.
Programs range from one-week intensives to two-, three-, four-, and six-week sessions, with divisions for younger kids (Junior), middle grades (Intermediate), and high school. Campers live on campus, attend daily studio classes and rehearsals, perform, exhibit their work, and soak in performances from peers and visiting artists.
The setting is a gorgeous, wooded campus with lakeside charm, but the instruction is serious: many alumni go on to top arts colleges, conservatories, and professional careers.
- Why it’s a splurge: Multiple-week residential tuition, high-caliber faculty, plus travel + required gear/instruments. It’s essentially pre-college arts training wrapped in a summer camp, and it’s priced and structured accordingly.
- Best for: Kids and teens who are already serious about an art form (or eager to become serious) and want to be surrounded by peers who feel the same way.
- Anticipated cost: $2,050 for one week, up to $10,350 for six weeks (financial aid is available!).
5. Rustic Pathways: Global Travel with Purpose
If your teen wants to see the world and do something that matters, Rustic Pathways runs a vast array of structured student travel programs in 30+ countries, mixing service, leadership, and cultural immersion.
Programs (usually 1–3 weeks) might include:
- Building or improving community infrastructure
- Conservation and wildlife projects
- Homestays and cultural exchanges
- Adventure activities like trekking, rafting, or snorkeling
Rustic Pathways designs its programs around a “sequenced curriculum” that builds cross-cultural competence and awards service hours, with 24/7 supervision and safety protocols that reassure parents. Recommended for ages 14 and up!
- Why it’s a splurge: International flights, in-country logistics, and all-inclusive programming mean programs start around $2,495 and go up from there.
- Best for: Teens (12–22) who are mature enough for travel, curious about the world, and interested in service, language, or global issues—not just a “fun trip.”
- Anticipated cost: Quite a range due to the number of programs and locations, but expect between $2,495 - $6,790.
How to Decide If a Splurge Camp Is Worth It
When you’re staring at a “tuition: gulp” moment, try asking:
- What will my child get here that they Website get locally? Sailboat living? Space simulators? Pre-conservatory arts training? Global immersion?
- Is my child genuinely excited about this? A niche, intensive camp works best when the kid is all in, not just going because it sounds impressive.
- Is this the right year? Sometimes it’s better as a “when you’re 13” or “before high school” promise.
- What’s our tradeoff? One splurge week might replace several mid-tier weeks, or be the “big thing” instead of a big vacation.
And remember: splurge camps are not required for a good childhood. They’re optional, extraordinary experiences; worth it when they jibe with your child’s passions and your family’s reality.
But, if you’re going to splurge, make it aligned, intentional, and your kid’s kind of magic, not just the most expensive brochure in the stack.
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