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/article/camping-magazine/consequence-character-how-summer-camp-promotes-character-leadership-entrepreneurship
A Consequence of Character: How Summer Camp Promotes Character, Leadership, and EntrepreneurshipEven casual observation reveals the powerful role the summer camp experience plays in accelerating character development in children and teens. The question then becomes "What's next?" The answer, it...
https://www.acacamps.org/article/camping-magazine/camps-transformation-economy
Camps and the Transformation EconomyWhat do hibachi restaurants and summer camps have in common? Before I answer that, let me provide some context. Earlier this year, I dined at a hibachi restaurant for the first time. I sat up at...
https://www.acacamps.org/article/camping-magazine/spoiler-alert-you-wont-be-around-forever
Spoiler Alert — You Won't Be Around ForeverWhether you plan to be at your camp for another 2, 5, 10, or 20 years, it’s not too early to start your camp’s succession planning. Camps are unique businesses that closely reflect their owners or...
https://www.acacamps.org/resources/campcounts-2022-report
CampCounts 2022 ReportCampCounts 2022 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...
https://www.acacamps.org/article/camping-magazine/lost-boys-finding-their-way-summer-camp
Lost Boys: Finding Their Way at Summer CampAre boys in crisis? Popular literature (Raising Cain, Lost Boys, Boys and Sex) and theater (Dear Evan Hansen) seem to suggest so. Terms such as “boy code” and “toxic masculinity” further paint a path...
https://www.acacamps.org/article/camping-magazine/toward-understanding-adhd-developmental-delay-self-control
Toward an Understanding of ADHD: A Developmental Delay in Self-controlJosh can't keep his hands to himself when waiting in line. Seth seems to act irresponsibly. Megan never completes an arts and crafts project. These campers' behaviors may have a common link -...
https://www.acacamps.org/article/camping-magazine/there-reason-understanding-challenging-behavior
There Is a Reason! Understanding Challenging BehaviorI once worked with cat. Not a “meow” cat, although that’s how she identified herself to me. She was a thirteen-year-old girl who insisted she was a cat. You can imagine how hard it was for her at...
https://www.acacamps.org/article/camping-magazine/do-you-want-hey-look-over-there-strategies-working-children-who-have-attention-deficits
Do You Want To . . . Hey, Look Over There! Strategies for Working with Children Who Have Attention DeficitsThere are opportunities to teach every child better self-control. Of course, being spontaneous — even a little out of control — is fun. It’s just that learning to listen, concentrate, and sustain...
https://www.acacamps.org/article/camping-magazine/striving-more-surviving-argument-non-inclusion-model-camps
Striving for More Than "Surviving": An Argument for a Non-Inclusion Model for CampsWe've heard directors say, "He survived." Parents tell us, "She got through it." As camp professionals, we know that we can do better. Often, because they love children so much and because they so...