Trying to find just the right "summer camp" can be a frustrating journey. The internet will return hundreds of pages, sorted for their terms, not yours. Undoubtedly at or near the top of the search results will be camp focused directories. While no directory can pick a camp for you, they can help you form a good idea of what you're looking for in a summer camp. Then, you can do some additional research to help insure your summer camp experience is the best it can be.

In the search results there will be web links that relate to one specific camp. You may chose to look at some of these as well as the directories but going camp page to camp page will take too long, limiting your exposure to the camps available.

As long as you're aware the directories are a resource and not an authority, they're the most easily used resource you'll find. To understand why they're a resource and not an authority, you should understand how they exist. Directories charge the camps you find on their website for the services they provide. Most have a free listing but these are little one liners with limited information and often in black and white. To be noticed directories charge camps for top placement, for color, for logos, for video, for ads on the side of the page and ones at the top. Quotes to camps run into the thousands of dollars per year for a listing.

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.

While this data can help draw you closer to the type of camp that is an excellent fit for you, they should not be the end of your search. It is always good to do your own search engine crawl once you have parsed out the features you want in a camp.

For example, you've decided you want to go whitewater rafting, but you also want to visit a different part of the Country. At this point, you should hop onto a search engine and type in 'whitewater rafting camp 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, here are some to consider:

1. The most exciting camp experience is overnight camp, often called a resident camp. Oh, choosing the resident option is the most exciting choice to make. You and all the other campers choosing this option are picking the opportunity to stay away from home! Yeah, there are nerves for everyone when it comes to a resident-summer-camp, especially the first time, but chances are, you'll be happy you made this choice. If circumstances don't allow for an overnight experience or you just can't get comfortable enough with the idea, then you should look towards day camps. Either way, you'll have a summer to remember.

2. Do you want a religious focus to your camp? If so, then make that a priority in your search. If not, then be aware, many non-denominational camps are great and respectful of all lifestyles.

3. Do you want the camp to be unisex or is CO-Ed acceptable? Either way, camp directors and counselors are aware, day and night. There are pros and cons to either camp scenario.

4. Even camps that appear to be alike can vary greatly. In the foothills of Northern California, quite close to one another, there are two water based adventure camps. One camp is on a lake, the other on a river. As you can imagine, the camps conduct many of the same activities. However, when you review the list of things they do, you find the camp on the river also does whitewater rafting and takes off site excursions for even more summer experience. When you compare fees, the camps are nearly identical in cost! So, be sure you're looking into camps that are "active" in areas you're interested and be mindful to really review the camp offering. As always, make contact with the camps, ask them questions important to you. Listen and or read their responses carefully, do you feel important? This is, after all, your summer camp adventure!

5. This is is your summer, your adventure, don't sell yourself short. If you're normally found behind a book rather than in a tree but an adventure camp sounds new and exciting, then you should try the camp. If you think you're not up for the hiking or ropes course or surfing, make contact with the camp and ask them, share your concerns with them. More often than not you'll find they are well staffed and are completely prepared for the first timer. Moreover, you'll probably have the best summer ever, if you just stretch yourself a bit!

6. Email the camp, call the camp and dialogue with the camp! I cannot stress this enough. Anyone can write about how great their camp is, and everyone WILL write about how great their camp is, but the decision as to which camp fit you, is yours and yours alone. The only way you're going to answer questions and get comfortable with your decision is to make contact. Camps should welcome your email and/or call. You're important and your summer is yours to make great, find a good camp and you'll find the best fit.

The tips above are a good starting point towards finding that camp that's going to help you make BFFs and provide you with memories for years to come. As you see, there is a tremendous variety in summer camping from adventure to day crafts. This is your time to live it up, take the time to research, be bold, take a risk on something new. Reach out via email and go with the camp that responds in a way that speaks to you.

Christopher Pyle has rafted the American River for 24-years. As owner/director of Action Whitewater's Adventure Camp, he combines his love of the river and its natural offerings with his passion for a child's right to happiness by sharing summer with the campers. See what it's like, and to learn how you can join him, visit the camp page.