Summer camp, principally a New world phenomenon, is a common destination for children and teenagers during the summer months. Children and adolescents who attend camp ("campers") participate in a variety of activities, many which wouldn't be possible or practical during the school year. Although the traditional image of summer camp is of a woodsy place with hiking, canoeing, and campfires, today's summer camps offer a wide variety of specialized activities. For example, there are camps for the performing arts, rock music, computers, children with special needs, and weight loss. Religious summer camps, especially those run by Jewish organizations like URJ, are also very popular.
Summer camp is the continuation of a tradition that is over 140 years old. Frederick W. Gunn founded the first camp in 1861. Gunn and his wife Abigail operated a home school for boys in Washington, Connecticut, and took the school on a two-week hiking trip. The Gunns operated the Gunnery Camp for twelve more years. Camp Dudley was founded in 1885 and is currently the oldest continually running boys camp in America.
In most camps, the adult supervisors are called counselors. Counselors are responsible for guiding the campers during activities and ensuring the safety of the campers. In many camps, counselors are assigned to smaller groups of campers, called "bunks", "huts", or "cabins", which participate in activities as a group. Counselors often share living accommodations with their bunk. Most counselors are in their late teens or early twenties, as it's an ideal job for high school or college students on summer break. Although counselor jobs don't usually pay well (often times minimum wage or less), counselors receive free room and board.
Summer camp is also known as "sleepaway camp" (American usage) when campers spend their nights at camp. At some camps, all campers stay overnight, and at some camps ("day camps") the campers go home each night. Some other camps allow both day and overnight campers. Summer camp is often the first time that children spend an extended period of time away from home. Missing home is a frequent problem, but with a caring counselor most campers adjust fairly quickly.
In the US, youth organizations, like the Boy Scouts, 4-H, and YMCA, are known for having lots of Summer Camps and integrating summer camps with their own organization. According to recent statistics from American Camp Association (ACA), those three organizations operated more than 440 ACA-accredited camps in the US (which is about 20% of all ACA-accredited camps in the US).
In Canada, especially in Ontario, summer camps are very popular. Whereas American camps tend to be affiliated with organizations, Canadian camps are usually private.
Summer camp fairs are held throughout the U.S., usually during the winter months. Parents and kids can meet camp directors and collect information about summer camps. Admission to these fairs is typically free.
Videos
- View Summer Camp Videos Watch these videos made by real live campers at summer camp. Helps provide some perspective and a deeper look to what summer camp is really about!
See also
External links
Associations
- The American Camp Association accredits camps which adhere to a set of national standards.
- The Canadian Camping Association accredits camps across Canada
- The Ontario Camping Association accredits camps in Ontario, Canada
- The Quebec Camping Association accredits camps in Quebec, Canada
Directories
- Allen's Guide to Summer Camps provides a directory of summer camps throughout the world with detailed descriptions and photos.
- CampPage A directory of summer camps in the United States and Canada.
- CampRatingz Reviews and ratings of summer camps in the United States and Canada, by actual camp families.
- Summer Day Camps online directory of day camps throughout Canada and the US.
Resources
- Camping For Boys by H.W. Gibson (Project Gutenberg)
- Outdoor Sports and Games by Claude H. Miller (Project Gutenberg)
- Talk Camp is a website for camp staff to talk about camp.
- Summer Camps Guide A blog which discusses how to choose a suitable summer camp for your child.
- Ideas for Summer Camp Games & Activities (Wilderdom)
- CampCountDown A site with information and resources to help parents navigate summer programs.