The Palm Beach Day School mother and son browsed among 40 displays lined up in the cafeteria for the school's recent Summer Camp and Trip Fair.

They left with armfuls of fliers, DVDs and brochures bursting with photos of action-packed adventures.

The third-grader, who is interested in sports and rock climbing, said he was a little nervous about going away to sleep-over camp for the first time.

Laurie Perry said attending the fair was a good way to gauge her son's interest.

"I thought we would start here and then do more checking" into specific camps, she said.

The school has hosted the fair for about six years. It is presented by the free advisory service, Tips on Trips and Camps.

The international organization connects parents with about 500 camps in the United States and abroad, according to Lisa Mullen, the company's Florida representative and former Day School staff member. The age range for campers is 7 through 18, Mullen said.

New destinations such as Costa Rica are popping up on campers' maps, as are community service destinations.

One example of the latter is a $5,000, monthlong Cuba Friendship Exchange through Windsor Mountain Student Travel of New Hampshire. While interacting with Cuban students, campers study Spanish and the culture and music of the island located 90 miles off of the southern tip of Florida.

"The camps build peace through friendship and understanding," said Windsor Mountain director Tom Herman.

Rein Teen Tours of New Jersey caters to campers who want to see the United States with their peers.

"The trips have no formal (educational) component," said Stew Rein, who runs the family-owned business with his brother. "They develop socialization skills and (learn about an area) just by going," Rein said.

A 28-day tour of the eastern United States and Canada costs $4,800; $7,700 buys kids a 34-day tour of Alaska, Hawaii and the Pacific coast.

"It's a luxury vacation," Rein said. "It's (a choice) for the educated parent, parents who can afford it."

Andy Sheffer, development director at the Day School, said summer camps give pupils the opportunity to do things they don't do during the year, geared toward their individual needs and tastes.

"Not every camp is right for every student," he said.

Headmaster Jack Thompson said summer camp gives students time away from home.

"For good or bad," he said, "it usually fosters a sense of independence."

By: Charlotte