Each year, millions of children, youth and adults head to the hills, lakes, valleys and parks to participate in the time-honored tradition of camp. And, while most people easily conjure up images of campfires and canoes, there is a lot more to the camp experience than most realize. Here are ten things you may not have known.
1. Camp is older than dirt, almost literally. Started in 1861, the camp experience turned an impressive 150 years young in 2011. The secret behind the longevity? “Camps are constantly adapting to meet the changing needs of today’s families,” says Peg Smith, Chief Executive Officer for the American Camp Association (ACA). “And yet, camp is very much the same as it was 150 years ago—kids still have authentic, life-changing experiences.”
2. Camp is worth its weight in gold, and then some! The camp experience is life-changing—developing friendships and memories that last well beyond the final campfire. And, there is a camp for every budget. Often camps offer special pricing or financial assistance, and some camp experiences qualify for tax credits or for payment with pre-tax dollars.
3. Green is “zen.” Research shows that first-hand experiences with nature, like those at camp, reduce stress in children and help them better handle anxiety in the future. In addition to teaching children how to be good stewards of the environment, camps are teaching children how to enjoy the world around them and take a minute to breathe deep and connect with nature.
4. Mommies and daddies can do it, too. Camp is not just for children. There are family camp experiences, and camps for single adults, senior adults and any adult that wants to relax and enjoy all camp has to offer. Adults benefit from the same sense of community, authentic relationships and self-discovery that children do.
5. Try this on for size! Camp is a great place to try new activities and hobbies. Afraid of rock walls? According to ACA research, 74% of campers reported that they tried new activities at camp that they were afraid to do at first. And, those activities often leave lasting impressions.
6. Manners matter (and often linger). The camp experience teaches more than just archery or lanyard making. The entire experience is made of teachable moments, perhaps one of the biggest is how to live with a group of people. Campers learn to pick up after themselves, respect each other’s property, and to say “Please” and “Thank You.”
7. Veggies taste better with friends. Hollywood and fictional novels may have given camp food a bad reputation, but in truth, camps are constantly exploring healthy food options, and often are at the forefront of things like allergy specific diets, healthy snack options and vegetarian meals.
8. If everyone else went to camp, maybe there’s something to it! Camp has played an important role in the lives of some of the most talented people in history. ACA’s family resource site offers a list of notable campers—including business professionals, celebrities, artists and great thinkers.
9. Camp gets those neurons pumping. Research shows that participation in intentional programs, like camp, during summer months helps stem summer learning loss.
10. Camp builds leaders for the 21st Century and beyond. Independence, resiliency, teamwork, problem-solving skills and the ability to relate to other people—these are the skills that tomorrow’s leaders will need, and the skills camp has been adept at building for 150 years.
(c) 2011 American Camp Association, Inc.
Want to know more about camps for kids? Come to a free camp fair hosted by New York Family and the ACA, NY and NJ. Visit newyorkfamilycamps.com for more info.
