When choosing activities and experiences, safety continues to be a parent’s number one priority. The best camp experiences are borne out of strong partnerships between parents and camps as they work together to make sure children and youth experience learning and fun in safe environments.

The first thing families should look for when choosing a camp is whether or not the camp is accredited by the American Camp Association (ACA). If a camp is not ACA-accredited, ask why not?

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January is National Mentor month, a time to celebrate and encourage the positive relationships that are critical to the development of children and youth – the positive relationships that are developed and encouraged each year at camp. 

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Is this scene familiar? You are standing in the aisle at your local toy store during the holidays trying to decide what would be the best gift. The problem is that your child has just about every toy in the store. Legos? Check. Trucks? Check. Electronic gadgets? Check, check, and check. This season, give the ultimate gift — camp.

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Merriam-Webster’s online dictionary defines character as one of the attributes or features that make up and distinguish an individual. Character development is tricky. It isn’t something that can be learned from a textbook or in a lecture — it is learned through teachable moments and experiences. So where can families turn to help provide the right environment for character development? Families can go to camp.
 

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Millions of parents chose camp for their child or teen because of the immense benefits of the experience. Not only does camp foster making new friends and learning 21st century life skills like independence, problem-solving, and teamwork, but it’s also fun! As the summer fades and children return to school, ACA chief executive officer, Peg Smith, reminds parents to pack a few extra items from camp in the school backpack:

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On March 11, 2011, the Touhoku district of Japan was struck by a massive tsunami and earthquake, which left over 22,000 dead or missing. By the next day, the American Camp Association (ACA) and the international camp community had responded with e-mails of condolence and support to Tatsuya Kanayama, director of the National Camping Association of Japan (NCAJ).

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In light of recent education debates — where one side argues that summer is a rite of passage for children, and the other side argues that extended school breaks interfere with learning time — the American Camp Association® (ACA) reminds families that a solution has been available to families for 150 years, combining the best parts of summer with real educational opportunities. The solution is camp.

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This summer marks the 150th anniversary of the organized camp experience. And, while much about the camp experience has evolved and adapted to meet the needs of today’s families, at its core the essentials of the camp experience are the same. And, many of the traditions of camp, like letters from home, remain a critical part of the camp experience.

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Camp has become a staple of the summer season. 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. Here are ten of the things you may not have known about the camp experience.

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One of the many joys of parenthood is helping children navigate new waters. And, while often these situations are met with hesitation, slight anxiety — or in the case of some first-time campers, homesickness — it is these moments that develop the twenty-first century skills needed in adulthood. New situations, such as going away to camp, serve as teachers in life’s classroom — developing leadership, self-esteem, teamwork, independence, and problem-solving.

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