Summer Camp Locations Locator Map and Directory

Summer camps are summer programs for children. In addition to the traditional summer camp which involves children in a host of outdoor activities, there exists a wide range of specialized summer camp, including sports camp (eg. basketball camp, soccer camp, swim camp or tennis camp); adventure camp ; horse camp; dance camp, and weight loss camp (also called fat camp). There is youth camp which is single sex(girls camp and boys camp)and there are varieties of religious based camps, including Christian camp and Jewish camp. Many children camp summer after summer.

From Wikipedia

Summer camp, principally (though not exclusively) a North American 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 of 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, Young Israel and also by Evangelical Christian organizations, are also very popular.

History

Summer camp is the continuation of a tradition since the mid-1800s. 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.

Organization

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", who 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 is an ideal job for high school or college students on summer break. Although counselor jobs don't usually pay well (often minimum wage or less), counselors receive free room and board. Many take the job primarily for its enjoyable experience.

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. Many homesick campers find solace in Care Packages sent from their families to comfort them.