Northeast Summer Camps for families: "Family Camps" (i.e. camps for the whole family, not just kids) typically have beautiful settings, simple lodgings, meals included (probably in a dining hall), and many outdoors activities.

Speaking of camps: kids vacationing on Maui can have a week of fun plus learning at an Ocean Discover Camp; meanwhile, families visiting Oahu can catch special events on Waikiki, such as concerts at the Aquarium overlooking the Beach.

Caribbean Vacations are on summer-sale.

• Lots more Summer Vacations- by region
• Fourth of July- festivities

continued below...

--scroll down for Waikiki Beach info--

Maui: Ocean Discovery Camp for kids, Summer 2005

• this week-long day camp for kids in Grade 1 to 5 is organized by the Ocean Science Discovery Center and the Pacific Whale Foundation
• several sessions are offered starting June 20 2005, through the (4-day) week of Aug. 8 to 11
• be prepared for early mornings! The camps start at 8:30 a.m, and continue to 4 p.m.
• Ocean Discovery Camp features crafts, science activities, beach fun, games, field trips. Also: snorkel cruise to Molokini Island and Turtle Arches.
• cost is $275/child for 5-day sessions, $225 for 4-day weeks; for one day, price is $65.

Sign up online at www.pacificwhale.org, or call Ocean Science Discovery Center at 244-8391.

Winter sessions are offered too. See info about Summer 2005 at the Pacific Whale Foundation site. Maui's Ocean Science Discovery Center of has information too.

Oahu: Waikiki Aquarium Concerts

• This summer, the Waikiki Aquarium will stage six concerts on its premises overlooking Waikiki Beach.
• Tickets are $18 for adults, $10 for kids 7 to 12, free for ages 6 and under.
• call (808) 923-9741 for performances and dates.

The Waikiki Aquarium has some cool programs for kids and adults, including a reef walk. See more at the Waikiki Aquarium site.

Waikiki Beach-- though a busy, developed place-- has been much beautified, and has many fun activities, such as movies on the beach, and a monthly "Brunch on the Beach": traffic stops on a beachside street, so it can become an outdoor cafe with delicious food by island chefs, at bargain prices. Read more about Waikiki Beach.