Tip of the Week from the American Camp Association
About
ACA
Media
Tip
from the American Camp Association
July 17, 2008
Tales
from Camp: How Camp Jobs Give Young
Adults an Experience Unlike Any Other
Unique summer experience even more
valuable in this summer’s down
economy
It’s common knowledge that summer
camps are a place where children can have
the time of their lives, but it’s
not just the kids who stand to benefit.
This summer, 1.2 million young adults across
the country have joined the ranks of camp
counselors and staff and are developing
a pretty impressive – and wide-ranging – set
of skills, including: leadership, management,
mentoring, administration, nutrition, physical
education, psychology, and teambuilding. And
they’re doing all of this while working
in the great outdoors.
Says Peg L. Smith, ACA CEO, "Students
across the country are realizing that there
are a host of benefits to working as a
camp counselor. Over the years, ACA
has partnered with camp directors to develop
staff training best practices that ensure
that young adults are set up to gain critical
real-world skills and abilities from this
unique job experience. Indeed, camp
is a place for discovery, connection, and
growth for campers and counselors
alike."
But don’t take our word for it. Listen to
what current and prominent former camp counselors have to say about how camp
jobs can change lives.
Francis Ford Coppola, Film Director – "If
I have to be remembered for something,
I want it remembered that I really liked
children and was a good camp counselor."
Michael Eisner, former CEO of the Walt
Disney Company – "Much
of the success I've achieved can be traced
to the direct and metaphorical lessons
I learned in building those campfires.
I can hardly think of an aspect of my
life that wasn't positively affected
by my camping experience."
Joy Feeney, current camp counselor,
age 20 – "My life was
changed and positively impacted by my
counselors, and I finally have the chance
to give back and change the lives of
young girls. That "it" moment
of impacting someone’s life never
leaves you. It truly is an amazing
experience!"
Lyon Pyke, current camp counselor,
age 21 – "Many people
have told me that camp allows children
to grow and develop, but I think something
happens to the staff here, too. Looking
back now, I can be so pleased about how
this journey has allowed me to grow. I
now see how each struggle I have faced
has made me a stronger person, how each
problem I have faced has made me a wiser
person, and how each friend I have met
and each camper I have helped has made
me a better person."
In a down economy, camp employment
has remained strong
There are also practical, dollars-and-cents
advantages to camp jobs as well. The national
youth jobless rate for this June was reportedly
the highest in six decades, but summer
camp jobs have been a bright spot, reflecting
the strong camper enrollment that ACA has
seen across the country this summer.
Contact Public Relations at 765.349.3317
or pr@ACAcamps.org to
interview an ACA
spokesperson for more information on
the short- and long-term impact of camp
staff positions.
Also, for customizable public
service announcements or article
reprints, visit our Media
Center.
Note: Camp counselors Joy Feeney and
Lyon Pyke are working this summer at
Cheley Colorado Camps.
About ACA
The American Camp Association® (ACA) works to preserve, promote, and enhance
the camp experience for children and adults. ACA-Accredited® camp programs
ensure that children are provided with a diversity of educational and developmentally
challenging learning opportunities. There are over 2,400 ACA-accredited camps
that meet up to 300 health and safety standards. For more information, visit www.ACAcamps.org.
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