CHARACTERISTICS & BENEFITS UNIQUE TO THE CAMPING
ENVIRONMENT
 |
Camp possesses campers
completely |
|
The outdoor setting |
|
Living 24 hours a day
with others |
|
Democratic community
living |
|
Broad program of
activities |
|
Sufficient free time |
|
Simple rustic living |
|
High ratio of staff to
campers |
| Age Served |
Camper
Per Counselor |
|
|
Day Camp |
Resident Camp | |
| 4-5 | 6 | 5 |
| 6-8 | 8 | 6 |
| 9-14 | 10 | 8 |
| 15-18 | 12 | 10 |
| 19 over | 20 | |
Special Population Camps - 1:1 or 1:2
BENEFITS
|
Psychological |
|
Sociological |
|
Educational |
|
Physical |
TRENDS IN CAMPING
·
Types of camps:
decrease in resident camps, increase in number of campers,
increase in special purpose camps (day, trip, religious, rehab,
physical/mental, chem. dependent, wt. gain/loss, etc.), increase in special
interest camps (music, drama sports, dance, etc.)
·
Decentralization:
most camps have adopted this plan pioneered by the Girl Scouts.
Entire camp is divided into groups or units of 12-24 campers, each
functioning independently.
·
Centralized camping:
early camps were laid out in a manner of military camps but lost
popularity because of lack of intimacy.
·
Camps compete for
campers: camps now try to offer
more exciting and sophisticated programming in order to recruit new campers.
·
Camps are being
modernized
·
Camps now make a
conscious effort to bring together a more diverse group of staff and campers.
·
Older, experienced
campers are returning attracted by more exciting activities built on previous
skills.
·
Camps have better
qualified professional staff: pre-camp
training is longer and better planned.
·
Camp programming has
changed from the rigid schedules of centralized camp to the sum total of every
experience the children have from start to finish.
·
Camper motivation is
based on minimizing awards and promoting campers to do their best.
·
Camp leaders are using
democratic methods in dealing with group dynamics.
·
Camps now have trained
nurses, doctors and dietitians as part of the regular camp staff.
·
There is more government
involvement in areas of state licensing, regulations on food handlers,
sewage/garbage disposal, personnel, etc.
·
More research in the
field of organized camping is being done.
·
Many camps are now
promoting multiple and year round use of its’ facilities to meet costs.
·
Camps are interested in
preserving their natural heritage and voluntarily support conservation
practices.
·
There is an increase in
demand for camps in urban areas.
·
Another trend is the
development of shorter camping experiences (3-5 days vs. 3-5 weeks).
·
Camping Profession is
more sophisticated.
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2001 Northern Arizona University, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED