Detroit Newspapers in Education

FOR THE WEEK OF JULY 17, 2008

Summer camp tradition is changing with the times

Say the words "summer camp," and many people think of cabins in the woods, hikes, swimming and camp fires.

But summer camps today are much more than that old, familiar image.

Today's summer camps offer programs ranging from exploring caves to studying marine biology to performing on a trapeze or in a rock band.

There are specialty camps for everything from magic to computers to wrestling to losing weight.

And not all camps are "sleep-away" camps where kids go for a week or more at a time.

More than 5,000 of the 12,000 summer camps in the United States are now day camps, according to the American Camp Association. And the number of day camps has grown more than 90 percent in the last 20 years.

With all these choices, 10 million kids now attend some kind of camp each summer, the camp association reports.

More surprisingly, so do one million adults, through programs that let parents and even grandparents join their kids in camp experiences.

Family camping is the fastest growing trend in summer camps, the camp association reports, with a 215 percent growth in family camps in the last 15 years.

Overall, a recent study showed that 65 percent of camps had the same number or more campers over the last five years, 10 percent were totally full and 35 percent were 90-99 percent full.

"Camp is for everyone, from ages 3 to 93," the camp association says. "There is a camp for every interest and cause."

Camping traditions

Summer camps have been around for nearly 150 years and in some families they are a much-loved tradition.

Today's kids may attend the same camps attended by their parents, and even their grandparents, before them.

The personal benefits of summer camp haven't changed over the years. Camps help kids gain self-confidence, independence and social skills. They provide chances to try new things, take "positive risks" and make new friends.

And in a new development, many camps now offer opportunities to learn the value of community service by getting involved in clean-ups, recycling programs or helping senior citizens.

Get moving

One of the most important benefits of summer camps is that campers are encouraged to be physically active.

Even specialty camps like those for music, arts or computers include activities like water sports, climbing walls and adventure outings. As camps add new options, they often are high-fitness activities like mountain biking, wilderness programs or ropes courses.

This is especially important in a nation where kids get less and less exercise as they get older, according to a study released last week in the Journal of the American Medical Association.

To further fitness, many camps now emphasize healthy lifestyles as well as physical activities.

"Camps not only offer three balanced meals a day," the American Camp Association says, "but many teach campers about healthy food choices. Camps give children the chance to get outdoors, play, run and take healthy risks in a safe environment."

Activities:

1. For nearly 150 years, summer camps have given kids ways to gain independence, learn new skills, make new friends and gain self-confidence. If you could pick a summer camp for yourself, what kind would it be? Would it be a specialty camp like those for basketball or music, or a general camp with a variety of activities? With family or friends talk about ways camps can help people learn skills and gain self-confidence. Then talk about ways you could learn skills or gain confidence this summer while still at home.

2. In a recent survey, 75 percent of camp directors reported adding new activities and programs in the last few years. If you were a camp director, what activities for kids would you add to summer camp programs? Using the newspaper as a reference, make a list of activities you would like to have at a summer camp. Give reasons for each of your choices.

3. Summer vacation gives kids and families a chance to try new things or do things together. In the stories, photos and ads of the newspaper, find an activity you would like to do with your family this summer. Write a paragraph explaining why this family activity appeals to you.

4. A new study has found that 90 percent of kids get at least an hour a day of moderate or vigorous exercise at ages 9 and 11, but only 31 percent get enough exercise at age 15. In the newspaper, find activities you could try with your family to get more exercise. Design a poster to encourage your friends to try one of the activities.

Newspapers Plus is written by Hollister Kids