The kids are back to school now, and some have pretty wild “What I Did Over My Summer Vacation” stories.  This is a result of a recent trend toward creative camps that teach kids to do their dream jobs.  Back in the 80s, all we had was NASA Space Camp (and that cost like a million dollars), but now, kids can spend their summers learning to produce films or invent the next hot consumer product for prices that don’t require parents to take out a second mortgage.

The awesome and affordable Girls Rock! Chicago camp, for example, is open to girls ages 9-16, regardless of background or musical experience.  The campers are divided into performing bands and learn how to manage money on the road, DJ, design rock show posters, play instruments and write songs.  Alison Murray organized the camp as part of her final thesis project for a women studies program at Roosevelt University, but also felt a program for musically inclined girls could help them penetrate the male-dominated industry.

Kylie Ruscheinski, the daughter of one of my major career role models, Nancy Ruscheinski, was one of the lucky participants this year.  Kylie rocked out in an end-of-camp performance at the popular Schubas Tavern.  "People say that boys are good in rock and in everything else, but girls can be just as good or even better," 9-year-old Kylie told the Chicago Sun-Times.

I know what you’re thinking – it’s YOUR dream job to work at a camp like this.  Well, Girls Rock! is currently run by volunteers, but camps like this are popping up all over the country and growing like mad, so you never know.  Treating kids – and yourself – to a taste of fame and fortune could be your next career move.