Why Should I Go to Camp?

To make new friends
Camp is a special place where you learn how to make a friend and how to be a friend. The counselors are trained to make sure that you start making friends as soon as you arrive, because camp is a community where kids work and play together, contribute and cooperate with each other. While you might go to camp with a friend, it is not necessary that you know someone. It's especially nice to have winter friends and summer friends. And camp gives you the opportunity to leave any concerns you might have from school behind and start over. That means that you can be a "new you." Kids come together from many different schools and communities and build brand new friendships... friendships that can last a lifetime because of the very special memories that you will share together in your camp community.

To enjoy a variety of activities
Camp is a special place where you can be involved in tons of activities -- just about anything you can think of! In many camps, you get to participate in all kinds of athletics, arts and crafts, gymnastics, dance, drama, nature, swim, outdoor adventure, boating... even archery or rocketry, computers (yup, the Internet, too!), the list goes on and on. You never get bored, because there's always something new to try! If you already know how you want to spend most of your vacation, then you can choose a camp that specializes in that activity -- maybe horseback riding or fine arts or tennis or music or basketball...

To make decisions on my own
Camp is a special place where kids can make their own decisions. There are limits and boundaries so you will always feel safe. And yet you will learn to believe in yourself, you will be listened to and respected, and you will be encouraged to make good choices. Camp is a place to practice growing up, under the watchful eye of trained, caring counselors.

To feel good about myself
Camp is a special place where everyone encourages you to feel good about yourself. You will learn to believe in yourself and you will develop courage to try things you have never tried before. You will learn to say, "You bet I can" when you are faced with a new challenge, because your friends and your counselors will be cheering you on. You will feel like an important part of this special community.

To develop courage to try new things
Camp is a special place where counselors encourage you to explore new activities and new experiences. Because there are boundaries, you will always be safe, and therefore you will be confident to try things you have never tried before. And your friends will be cheering you on! You will become aware of your feelings and your decisions, because counselors will actually coach you in these areas. Camp is not just doing, it's about thinking and feeling, too.

To learn new skills
Camp is a special place where you can learn new skills in a variety of activities. There are counselors who are trained to teach you certain skills about each sport, craft, or hobby area. Every activity will begin with the teaching of new skills so that you can improve in all activity areas. There are also opportunities to spend extra time in learning even more skills in an area that is of special interest to you. Counselors are chosen not only for their knowledge of a particular skill area, but for their ability to teach and to share their love for their sport, craft, or hobby. Of course you'll have fun, but you'll also get better at whatever you do while you're having fun!

To be a part of a special community where I am listened to and respected, where I belong, learn, and contribute
Camp is a special place where everyone's opinion is heard. Children are respected. Children are listened to. The camp experience is based on the building blocks of self- esteem: belonging, learning, and contributing. Camp is a community, and every member of that community is as important as anyone else. Decisions are made as a group. Everyone is cooperative and responsible, and we all help each other. While there are limits and boundaries, children can make their own choices and learn that their feelings are important. Sometimes in a family, it is hard to have this feeling because parents and kids aren't really equal! But at camp, counselors are trained to provide a safe environment for kids to have freedom within limits and to make decisions and choices on their own.

To be me -- not so-and-so's brother or so-and-so's daughter
Camp is a special place where every camper is valued for who he or she is. When you come to camp, you leave behind all the associations that are a part of your life at home. It's a new beginning -- a chance to really be you -- or to discover who you really are! At camp, you will succeed. We promise!

To have fun!
Last, but not least, camp is a special place -- where you can have fun!! It's just not school! There are no tests... just full days of fun! Yes, you'll learn lots of new things -- about many activities and about yourself -- but you'll have fun all the time! You'll relax, you'll feel good about yourself, you'll make new friends, you'll do all kinds of activities... and you can forget about everything else, except having FUN! Imagine a place that is designed especially for kids to have fun all summer!

© American Camping Association