SAN DIEGO -- Camp is no longer just crafts, camp fires and canoeing -- now, it's about role-playing and stunts.

PALI OVERNIGHT ADVENTURES 12 Speciality Camps Traditional 1-Week Camps Camp Open House Information

At Pali Overnight Adventures in Lake Arrowhead, kids ages 9 to 16 can live out their dreams of being an actor, Hollywood stunt artist, special agent or rock star.

Eleven-year-old Brett Furst spent last summer on a dude ranch. This year, he is eager to learn the tricks of secret agents at spy camp.

"I like to do that kinds of stuff and reading the stars, finding your way around, making stuff," Furst said.

From spying to driving, 12 specialty summer camps are offered.

Youngster Ignacio Amezcua loves to tear up the turf on an all-terrain vehicle. He said he can't wait to tell his friends all about the thrill of the Hollywood stunt camp.

"I went to (ride) the quads. I had a whole bunch of fun. I met new friends. It was really fun," Amezcua said.

Amezcua's dad is excited, too. Growing up in South Central Los Angeles, he said he could only imagine attending a summer camp of the like his son attended.

He said the camp is a fantasy packed with adventure and great scenery.

But kids are drawn to this camp for more than the scenery. Many dream of being in movie scenes, someday. Taralin Thomas, a fifth- grader from Hollister, Calif., grinned when she said she wanted to be famous. Thomas' mother, Melinda, wanted a summer camp where her daughter could hone her entertaining skills and still have a good time.

"She wanted to do an acting camp and this offered her that along with other activities too. Plus at the end, they get to audition," Thomas said.

The audition is everything to budding thespians. So the camp may be a tangible opportunity to get started in show business.

But studying to be a celebrity is not cheap. Thomas price-compared the camp to others and said even with a price tag of $3,900 for a three-week session, the camp is worth the extra money.

"I really want her to be able to feel good about herself in whatever she's doing," Thomas said.

Andy Wexler, the owner of Pali Overnight Adventures said that the camp prides itself on building self-esteem in kids of all ages and helping them reach their full potentials.

"For the parents, our main goal is really allowing their children to blossom and gain a ton of self confidence and to really feel much better about themselves when they come home," Wexler said.

Parents and kids can check out the camp at a free open house in Lake Arrowhead on Sunday, May 18. For more information, go to www.paliadventures.com/openhouse to register.

Choosing A Camp For Your Child

According to the American Camping Association, over 10 million kids attend camp each year. The ACA has approved over 2000 camps, all of which meet the ACA's 300 health, safety, and quality standards.

Parents and kids have a lot to consider when choosing a summer camp. The National Camp Association says one of the factors is the type of camp.

Parents should ask themselves if the child is better suited for an overnight camp or a day camp, a traditional camp or a specialty camp. Parents should also discuss the child's concerns about attending camp.

Consider the location. Where is the camp? Is it far from home? Is the child independent or is he likely to miss home? Parents need to think about accessibility to the child in case of homesickness or an emergency.

Cost is another consideration. Private camps can be very pricey, but nonprofit camps, like YMCA camps can be more affordable. Parents need to remember to budget for extra expenses, such as field trips and spending money.

Size matters, too. Camp should not be an intimidating thing for a child, so finding the right sized camp is important. Some kids function best in small groups. Others thrive in large crowds. Parents should also pay attention to the camper-to-counselor ratio.

The ACA recommends one counselor for every six campers between ages 6 to 8 and one counselor per every eight campers ages 9 to 14. For every 10 campers ages 15 to 18, one counselor is advised.

There are many resources on the Web to help parents and kids select a camp. Web sites such as www.chooseacamp.com and www.kidscamps.com can help families find camps by region, budget, specialty and length of stay.

Camp can be expensive. But a child does not have to miss such an enriching experience. Scholarship opportunities are available for families on a budget.

San Diego's Community Campership Council, Inc. offers "camperships" for kids attending the San Diego County Office of Education's sixth-grade school camp or any ACA accredited residential or day camp.

The Community Campership Council, a tax exempt charity, directly funds "camperships" based on the financial need of the child in relation to the type of camp and the related costs. Kids who qualify to participate in the national school lunch program for free or reduced meals, qualifies to receive a "campership."