https://www.acacamps.org/blog/what-greater-gift-gift-camp
What Greater Gift Than the Gift of CampLet me introduce myself. My name is Harriet Lowe and I’ve worked for the American Camp Association (ACA) for almost 16 years—first as the director of communications and now in a part-time role as...
https://www.acacamps.org/blog/noticeable-impact-camp-kids
The Noticeable Impact of Camp on KidsHi parents! My name is Deidre Pettinga and I’m the Chief Marketing Officer for the American Camp Association (ACA). In this role, I work with our communications, business development, and...
https://www.acacamps.org/blog/choosing-camp-dont-forget-data
Choosing a Camp: Don’t Forget the Data!Hello camp parents! My name is Laurie, and I recently joined ACA as the Director of Research. In this role, I facilitate Research 360, which is ACA’s new...
https://www.acacamps.org/article/camping-magazine/imagine-child-tree-fertilize-unstructured-outdoor-play-character-development
Imagine a Child as a Tree — Fertilize with Unstructured, Outdoor Play, and Character DevelopmentAsk anyone who has attended a camp as a child or youth about his or her experiences and you will receive many different responses. Camp has many meanings because of the personal nature of the...
https://www.acacamps.org/blog/school-breaks-shouldnt-be-break-learning
School Breaks Shouldn't be a Break from LearningSchool breaks are not the time to take a break from learning. Unfortunately, this is what often happens, resulting in a significant drop in students’ mastery of core concepts. The ...
https://www.acacamps.org/blog/connecting-nature
Connecting with Nature"Camp is a time to explore, a time to let your brain grow, and a time to connect with the outside." In this video blog, former ACA CEO Tom Holland explains the benefits of getting outside at...
https://www.acacamps.org/article/parents/why-cant-school-be-more-camp
Why Can’t School Be More Like Camp?Yesterday, my fourth grade son came home from school downcast. It’s his third week at a new school, and I had encouraged him to find a friend or two to invite over to swim. He had asked two boys for...
https://www.acacamps.org/article/parents/power-play
The Power of PlayDr. David Elkind Urges Parents to Add More Play to their Children's Lives "The traditional summer camp recognizes that play is a powerful form of learning that contributes mightily to the...
https://www.acacamps.org/article/parents/children-nature-how-camp-teaches-kids-think-green
Children and Nature: How Camp Teaches Kids to Think Green!After a long day of exercise and fun at camp, children’s eyes can be much bigger than their stomachs! Camps across the country are encouraging children to put on their plates only what they will eat...
https://www.acacamps.org/article/parents/camps-speak-international-language
Camps Speak an International LanguageThere’s a passionate debate going on — whether men and women should share child-rearing responsibilities — even if it means the father sometimes stays at home. Native American, Nigerian, Kyrgyz,...