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2008
Summer Games
Healthy Competition,
Exercise, and Nutrition at Summer Camp
Creates Health & Fitness
Habits That Last a Lifetime
As the world watches its finest athletes
compete in the 2008 Summer Olympics, ten
million kids across the United States are
having their own summer games . . . at
camp. This is critically important because
while these children are busy swimming,
hiking, and generally leading active lives,
they are also getting a healthy dose of "exercise
in disguise." As American Camp Association
(ACA) CEO Peg Smith says, "Has there
ever been a more important time in America
to get kids off the couch and into the
pool or onto the playing field?"
Here are just some of the reasons why
summer camp helps kids develop health and
fitness habits that last a lifetime:
Summer Weight Gain – Childhood
obesity is a national epidemic. Research
has found that children gain more weight
over the summer months than during the
school year. A child's summer camp experience
can provide the physical outlets needed
to keep kids healthy year-round.
"Going to camp changed everything
for me. I lost weight, I feel good about
myself, and I don't want to sit on the
couch all the time. I can't wait to go
again next summer."
- Brandon, eleven-year-old camper from
Bloomington, Indiana
Good Habits Learned/Good Habits
Kept – According to research
conducted by ACA, 63 percent of children
who learn new activities at camp tend
to continue engaging in these activities
after they return home. This develops
healthy habits that last a lifetime.
"It is more important than ever
for our youth to be physically active
when they are not in school. In the summer
camp experience, children participate
in healthy activities that stay with
them and contribute to the growth of
healthy habits year round."
- Peter Surgenor, ACA President
Mind, Body, Spirit – Today's kids have schedules overflowing
with homework, chores, music lessons, and organized sports — all of which
can lead to harmful levels of stress. In addition, the American Academy of
Pediatrics (AAP) reports that children are participating in less and less imaginative
free play, a trend that is detrimental to their development.
"Camp provides a place for play,
for adventure, and for the freedom for
kids to simply be kids. Nothing is better
for our children's physical, emotional,
and social health."
-Peg Smith, ACA CEO
Together, Campers Can Even "Climb
Everest!" – A perfect
example of how summer camps are promoting
health, fitness, and teamwork can be
found in a program run by ACA, New
York this summer. "Climb Everest!" combined
the efforts of more than forty camps
and nearly twenty thousand kids in
a virtual climb to Mt. Everest's peak.
Camps designed different activities,
such as hiking, tackling a climbing
wall, or even scaling monkey bars,
that eventually equaled the 29,035
feet it takes to summit Mt. Everest.
The activities are scaled by age group
and give campers the chance to work
toward a common goal and get great
exercise in the process.
You Are What You Eat – Over two-thirds of all ACA-Accredited® camps
have started serving more fruits and vegetables, and about four in ten have
explicitly reduced use of fried foods and sweets or sugary foods. Many also
offer low or no-fat options. In a recent survey, two-thirds of all camps responding
said they offer vegetarian options.
"We all know that a good diet
and good health go hand and hand. At
camp, thoughtful menu planning along
with physical exercise is helping reduce
many of the health problems impacting
kids today."
- Peg Smith, ACA CEO
Contact Public Relations at 765.349.3317
or pr@ACAcamps.org to
interview an ACA
spokesperson for more information on
ways the camp experience enhances the lives
of children, teens, and adults.
Also, for customizable public
service announcements or article
reprints, visit our Media
Center.
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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