CampCounts 2021 is the latest iteration of ACA’s annual business and industry research survey, which aims to support camp professionals in their operational decision-making and to support ACA’s advocacy efforts. Responses are anonymous and reported in aggregate by the following segments: program types offered (day, overnight, or other alternative programming), primary program type (50% or more day camp programming, overnight camp programming, or other alternative programming), and camp owner/sponsor (independent nonprofit, for-profit, municipal/government, nonprofit affiliated with another entity).

In addition to the standard survey questions carried forward from previous business and industry surveys, CampCounts 2021 included unique questions intended to capture some of the ongoing effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on camps in the US, such as staffing impacts and supply chain challenges.  Additionally, some questions asked camps to report information from 2021 as well as a more “typical” (pre-pandemic) year, with the hopes of gleaning more representative benchmark data.  Results are compared to the 2017 ACA Business Survey (now incorporated into CampCounts) and the CampCounts 2020 survey where possible.

The American Camp Association would like to discourage journalists from using the CampCounts 2021 Report to cover the average price of camp. The 2021 data is based on a sample of less than 300 respondents and that sample doesn’t represent the full breadth of camp pricing across the field in our country. Average day camp prices range from completely free to $200+ per day and overnight camp prices range from free to $500+ per day. We do expect to see increases in camp prices for 2023 due to increasing costs across the board this year (It is important to note that many camps set prices for the following summer in late August or fall after camp concludes). In turn, there is a tremendous case for additional philanthropic support for low-income families given the tremendous need. ACA would also highlight the 93 percent of all camps who provide need-based financial aid available for low-income families. To learn more, please email the ACA PR Team at [email protected].

Download the 2021 CampCounts Report

Download the 2021 CampCounts Infographic

Blog: Key Takeaways from the 2021 CampCounts Report

 

2020 Reports