6 Unique Summer Family Vacation Ideas

Summer Vacation Ideas: White Water River Rafting

Forget the theme park thrills and head for the natural wild rides of white water: try a river rafting adventure while the season's right.

White water rafting is out-of-the-ordinary fun for teens, and if you're on the right Class of river -- all rivers are classified by the same system-- young kids too can enjoy the ride.

• Check out several Colorado and Utah options, including "Ranch and Raft" combo getaways, and four-day Family Adventure rafting trips.

• Idaho is another place for river rafting adventures: such as Main Salmon river, with a deep canyon and sandy beaches; sample 5-day the Main Salmon river trip includes all equipment, gourmet meals, and an activity guide on each trip to help entertain kids. Shorter trips available on other rivers.*

• Virginia too is a hotspot for river rafting adventures for families: such as those offered by Songer Whitewater, with paddle boat and "duckies" (inflatable kayaks). Driving distance is do-able from many eastern cities.

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Families with kids age 10 and up can experience the Grand Canyon's South Rim in a special way this summer (and beyond), with a two-day, two-night program that includes:

• lodging (typically at Yavapai West Lodge or Maswik Lodge) *
• in-park transportation
• one dinner, two breakfasts, two box lunches
• a guide each day, instructional materials, retail coupons and a course completion certificate.

Group size is limited to 12. Sample prices (based on double occupancy)*: $443.54 for one adult and $694.94 for two adults, March 15 through Nov 1; $226.50 year round for kids between 10 and 16; $265.54 for additional adults in the same room. There are some dates when the program is not offered.

Sample agenda: on arrival, guests attend a short orientation. The next morning, a guide/naturalist from the Grand Canyon Field Institute takes the group hiking and exploring along and below the South Rim, with emphasis on the park's geology and ecology. On Day Two's agenda are exploration of the rim plus discussions of the Canyon's geology and human history.

See more about Grand Canyon Learning and Lodging.

* Always check for updates!
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Family Camps are an excellent -- and affordable-- type of getaway in the great outdoors, with meals and many activities included.

This particular family camp has a choice location: 6000 acres in the Catskills. The Frost Valley YMCA runs summer camps for kids, day camps, teen adventure camps, Elderhostel, Family Weekends, and more.

Families can enjoy "Family Weekends" at one of the first summer camps to be established in the US. Lodging options range from platform tents to cabins to inn-style Forstmann Castle and a country inn.

• more about Frost Valley YMCA
• more about Family Camps

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Salt Fork Resort is in Ohio's largest state park, in southeastern Ohio approx. 2 hours from Columbus or Cleveland, or 1 1/2 hours from Pittsburgh PA.

Salt Fork State Park has 20,000 acres, woodlands, meadows and beach on Salt Fort Lake; golf course, nature center, two marinas with watercraft rentals; Kennedy Stone House Museum; Hosak's Cave.

The Salt Fork Lodge overlooks the lake and has guest rooms, cottages, indoor and outdoor pools, tennis, etc.

Find out more about Salt Fork Resort, and check for Family Adventure Packages with fun activities such as nature scavenger hunts, hikes, cane pole fishing, naturalist programs, and geocaching with GPS provided. ("Geocaching" is a kind of high-tech treasure hunt, using GPS (Global Positioning Systems): caches are hidden in a waterproof container with a logbook; the cache itself has no value, beyond the satisfaction of following clues to find it, and signing in the logbook that you made the find.)

These brief profiles are meant to introduce these destinations to family vacationers; please note that the writer has not visited in person. Always check destination web sites for latest prices and updates.

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The Waterville Valley, in New Hampshire in the White Mountain National Forest is a fun place: a ski spot in winter, and in summer, a family fun zone with canoeing, biking, chair lift, boating ( - and a "Summer Unlimited" promotion at several properties that includes many activities.)

Families with little kids might also want to make time for the "Curious George Cottage": Curious George being the sprightly little chimp in the classic children's books. An especially good time to visit is in August, during the "Curious George Cottage Family Festival".

The classic Curious George children's books were written by H.A. and Margret Rey, starting back in 1941. Today, parents enjoy the "retro" look of Curious George illustrations, and kids continue to be charmed by Curious George in regular books, board books, and an animated series.

The Reys lived in Waterville, and families can visit the Margret and H.A. Rey Center which organizes art shows, lectures, and programs such as "Art in the Mountains" and "Curious Kids" nature explorations. New Visitor's Center's location is in Waterville Valley's Town Square; families can explore hands-on exhibits, read stories, or watch episodes of the Curious George cartoon.

The Rey Center also manages the Curious George Cottage (formerly the summer home of Hans and Margret), which puts on activities for kids and families, including the summer festival.

Check the dates and latest details for the annual Curious George Cottage Family Festival weekend in August -- sample activities include music banana pancake breakfast, family nature walk, photo ops with Curious George and the Man in the Yellow Hat.

Also fun in the area, during summer: New Hampshire's only outdoors Shakespeare theater company, with child-friendly performances.

• more about recreation in the Waterville Valley
• more summer travel ideas in the White Mountain

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Visiting a family farm can be a delightful, and economical, getaway: a chance to enjoy some fresh air and country life and probably some giant home-made breakfasts; and of course kids love to be around the animals.

One link gets you to many family farm choices in Pennsylvania: all are members of the Pennsylvania Farm Vacation Association Inc. Use a clickable map to locate farms, and you can search by amenities or animals, too. You can also find links for family farms in Maine, Vermont, and other locations.