Five Local Summer Camps

There's still snow on the ground, and spring isn't quite here yet, but this is New England, and summer will be here before you know it. And so will summer vacation for the kids.

Here are five summer camps in the area.

1. YMCA: The operates two residential camps on Bear Island on New Hampshire's Lake Winnipesaukee. Camp Lawrence is for boys ages 8 to 16, and Camp Nokomis is for girls ages 8 to 16. The YMCA also has Family Camp for nine days at the end of the summer at Camp Lawrence. And Camp Otter is a day camp in Salem, N.H., for kids ages 6 to 13. The Andover/North Andover YMCA is hosting a summer camp fair on Sunday, March 27, from 2 to 4 p.m. There will be info. on all the organization's camps. Visit www.mvymca.org for more information.

2. Merrimack College Tech Camp: Does your child prefer software programming to canoeing? No problem. has a very popular day camp, iD Tech Camp,which offers kids an opportunity to develop their computer skills at one of the region's elite computer camps. Camps offer a variety of cutting-edge summer camp classes including video game design, Flash animation, programming, video editing, and more, using top brand name products. Camps are designed for kids and teens, whether your child is a beginner or an advanced computer whiz. and the school offers day camps and overnight camps.

3. MSPCA: Or maybe animals are more your child's cup of tea. Well, the MSPCA has a program for that, too. Campers get to experience taking care of a variety of animals, learn about animal welfare topics, meet a variety of animal care professionals, make crafts, sing songs, and play games. Camp is held for eight weeks during the summer, offered in one-week sessions.  The eight sessions are divided by age group (grades 2 to 9), and each session has 36 campers, three head counselors, and about six volunteer junior counselors. Visit www.mspca.org for more information.

4. Camp Evergreen: Located in Andover, Camp Evergreen attracts a lot of North Andover children each year. The camp operates various camps year-round, and the summer camp is very popular. Kids get to explore nature, swim, make arts and crafts projects and wood shop projects and more. Visit www.campevergreen.com for more information.

5. Girl Scout Camp Maude Eaton: Hosted by the Camp Maude Eaton Day Camp has been operating for 64 years and is located on 56 acres of pine forest between Pomps Pond, the Shawsheen River and conservation land. Kids get to go boating boating and swimming, play sports, make crafts, explore nature and more. Visit www.girlscoutseasternmass.org/programs/camp-day-eaton.html for more information.