07/16/99

Summer on the Internet

School's out. Summer's in. Our long warm days are filled with camp and family vacations. What's up on the Net? Here's an eclectic summer mix, including two virtual summer camps and a virtual road trip. But remember, it's summer. Don't forget to go outside and play.

Camp Yucky

The "yuckiest site on the Internet" is an funky mix of science and summer fun. You'll find dozens of summer-themed activities including directions for giving yourself a suntan tattoo and making a frozen hand-cube that floats a punch bowl. And don't worry, all the original gross and slimy stuff that made Yucky.com famous (learn about belches, scabs, vomit, worms and bugs) is still here. Teachers who yearn to be yucky will appreciate the curriculum guides for grades K through eight.

TheCase.com

Calling all amateur detectives and mystery lovers. Each month TheCase.com for Kids ("Mysteries to solve, scary stories, magic tricks, and contests") features a quick solve (the answer is just a click away), a mystery writing contest, and a mini mystery Solve-It contest. Monthly winners are rewarded with a mystery book. Nancy Drew enthusiasts have their own site (you'll find the link on the main page). And older readers (I'm talking high school and adult) can click on over to TheCase.com for even more mysterious fun.

CyberSurfari

"Just in time for summer fun! Thousands of teachers, students and parents are exploring the Internet in search of 103 treasure codes buried in wonderful and safe destination sites hand-picked by CyberSurfari staff members." Players are divided by age into divisions, and can join as individuals or teams. There are two complete sets of prizes. One set goes to the first players to find ninety-five of the treasure codes. The second set will be awarded by random drawing. CyberSurfari Summer runs through October 15, with CyberSurfari Fall opening the following week. Practice clues are available < a href="http://www.cybersurfari.org/practice.cfm"> here.

HBO Summer Camp

Just like real camp, before you can participate in this virtual camp, your parents need to fill out a permission form, and return it by toll-free fax or posted mail. Upon receipt, you'll be emailed your camp user name and password. While you are waiting for your password to arrive, get your computer ready by installing the free Flash plugin. Whew! When you finally get to camp (which is updated weekly and closes on Labor Day), follow the pointing finger to the activities, games and contests.

Way Back Summer Vacation

What was summer vacation like years ago? And who invented summer camp? Climb aboard the Way Back wagon and learn the history of car camping (also known as gypsying), Miami Beach, and the first summer camps. My favorite click is the Road Trip, a coast-to-coast adventure (from Oak Bluffs, Massachusetts to Disneyland, California) with stops at twelve famous vacation spots.

Please send questions or comments to feldman@surfnetkids.com.