It's almost mid-December, Christmas lights are popping up everywhere, store parking lots are filled to capacity, and the all-too-familiar holiday stress is creeping in. So, of course, it's the perfect time to think about summer camps for your kids.

Wait, what? According to the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, if you want your children to put the digital devices down, get outside, and experience the beauty of nature, it's definitely the time to start thinking about summer camp, the DEC Summer Camp Program that is.

In it's 70th year, this program has introduced kids to fishing, camping, hiking, archery, hunter safety, swimming, and so much more during the weekly camps held each summer throughout the state. Four camps offer weekly residential summer camps for children ages 11 through 17, and there are six and two-week camps offered for those 14 through 17.

They're pretty affordable when you compare the cost to other camps and imagine the experiences your children will have. Registration opens January 25, 2017 at 10 am, which is why now's the time to start thinking about camp as these sessions fill up quickly. There's also opportunities for civic organizations and sporting camps to sponsor one or more children for a week at camp.

Get all of the details here and Happy Holidays, I mean Happy Camping!

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