Since your time is valuable, here are some benefits of the directories: you can find camps broken down by religion, by activity, by geography, by residency or day camp. Once you have a general idea of what you are looking for, use the internet to research specifics. For example, if you have decided you want to go river camping, but you also want to visit a different part of the country, you should hop onto a search engine and type in "camping on the Mokelumne River in California" (or whatever area you want to visit). Look at each of the sites that come up and make contact with those camps. Find out if they offer shuttle service to and from the local airport (this is something our camp offers). By doing so, you might get to have your proverbial cake and eat it too! This article would be no good if we didn't have some recommendations to get your questions flowing, so here are some to consider:

• Is a resident summer camp (one where you stay overnight) for you? If you haven't spent much time away from home, this can be a scary thought. Feeling nervous is normal. It helps to know that no one is a "pro" at being a summer camp resident - everyone else is nervous, too. So, if this is something that's exciting, I encourage you to give it a try; you'll probably love it! If not, if this is simply something you cannot get into, then you should look for a day camp. Day camps can run multiple days, but you're picked up and dropped off each day.

• This is your summer vacation, so if there is something you want to explore, then look for that in a camp. If you want underwater basket weaving, then you should not enroll in a sea kayaking camp. With this in mind, it is important to look at the activities different camps offer, especially as you begin to narrow your search. Similar camps can still pose great differences. For example, here, in Northern California, there are two water-based camps that are not far apart. One camp is on a lake, the other on a river. They are both priced nearly the same. The river-based camp does nearly all that the lake-based camp does, but the river-based camp also rafts, has off-site excursions such as water parks, pro sporting events and local attractions, at no extra charge! Be sure to take a look at the camps really and compare. And as we always encourage, contact the camps and ask them questions.

• Most importantly, don't assume that you cannot do something. If you find something that peaks your interest but you are unsure of whether it is a good fit for you, then ask the camp. Most camps were designed with your joy in mind; therefore, the activities they offer are ones they are pretty sure you would enjoy. So, if you think Outdoor adventures and fun in California sound exciting and somewhere you would like to be, but you are not confident in your ability to participate, then contact a local camp within the area. Ask them what is required, tell them your concerns, and dialogue with them.