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Summer Camp Strong!
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The Summer Camp Quiz
How much do you know about summer camps? Here's a lighthearted quiz, courtesy of the American Camp Association® (ACA) Northern California.
- What type of camp is the most popular? (a) day camps (b) resident camps (c) family camps (d) computer camps
- Check all that apply: In addition to typically learning some outdoor skills, the camper usually develops (a) an increased sense of responsibility (b) better decision-making skills (c) improved skill in getting along with others (d) better interpersonal relationships (e) a greater sense of citizenship (f) an enhanced appreciation of the environment.
- Check all that apply. According to research, the positive impact of summer camps varies depending upon (a) the child’s age, sex or race (b) the type of camp (c) the length of the camping experience (d) all of the above (e) none of the above.
- There are more than (a) 3,000 (b) 6,000 (c) 12,000 summer camps in the U.S.
- What is the most popular camp activity, offered by 88 percent of ACA-accredited camps (according to an ACA survey) ? (a) swimming (b) horseback riding (c) community service (d) a wilderness program (e) ropes courses or other constructed adventure/challenge activities.
- According to the ACA, counselors should be at least (a) 16 years old (b) 18 years old (c) 20 years old (d) at least one year older than the campers.
- Check all that apply: In Northern California, there are camps for children with (a) AIDS (b) cancer (c) diabetes (d) developmental disabilities (e) other physical handicaps.
- According to the ACA, what is the appropriate ratio of counselors to campers aged six to eight? Is it one counselor for every (a) six children (b) eight children (c) or 12 children?
- Select all that apply: In choosing a camp, it is important to (a) involve the child (b) talk to the camp director (c) check that the prospective camp is accredited by the ACA (d) consider the types of activities the camp provides.
- How many children and adults attend camp each year? More than (a) 3 million (b) 5 million (c) eight million (d) 11 million
- If money is an issue, concerned parents could (a) register early (b) ask for help (c) consider a day camp instead of a resident camp (d) research their options carefully.
- ACA accreditation means that the camp has met up to (a) 50 (b) 100 (c) 250 (d) 300 individual health, safety and program-quality standards.
- Check all that apply: Camp can help kids control their weight because the experience encourages them to (a) eat right (b) exercise more (c) get involved in different activities (d) stay away from TV.
- Homesickness is (a) natural and should be ignored (b) natural and should be discussed (c) unnatural and a cause for alarm (d) a reason not to go to camp.
- The first organized American summer camp was started in (a) 1861 (b) 1890 (c) 1902 (d) 1931.
- Check all that apply: To get information on available camps and on summer camps in general, you can (a) attend a camp fair (b) go to www.acacamps.org (c) go to www.CampParents.org (d) ask your neighbors.
Answers
- (b) More children go to resident camps than attend day camps. At the same time, the number of day camps has risen more than 90 percent in the past 20 years. Family camps are also becoming more popular. Traditional camps, which typically offer many different types of activities, are generally more popular than specialty camps.
- (a) , (b) , (c) , (d) , (e) and (f) According to research, camp has dramatic benefits, helping children develop socially, emotionally and intellectually. (Source: "Sharing Youth Development and Research: Enriching the Lives of Children" research study conducted by Philliber Research Associates, supported in part by a generous grant from Lilly Endowment Inc.)
- (e) The benefits occur irrespective of any extraneous factors. What's more, the benefits appear to be long-lasting, even permanent.
- (c) There are more than 12,000 summer camps in the U.S. Nationwide, the summer camp industry employs more than 1.2 million adults each year as counselors, program/activity leaders, unit and program directors/supervisors, and in support services roles such as maintenance, administration, food service and health care.
- (a) More than three-fourths of ACA camps responding to a recent survey offer swimming. Fully 57 percent have a community service component; more than half offer a ropes course or something similar; 48 percent have horseback riding; and 21 percent offer a wilderness program.
- (a) According to ACA standards, all staff are to be at least 16 years of age and at least two years older than the campers. If staff under 18 year of age supervise campers, 80 percent of the counselors are to be 18 years or older. (If the camp primarily serves campers with special needs, all counselors are to be 18 years or older.) Also, the counselors should be trained. ACA-accredited camps, for example, provide three to six+ days of training (depending on whether it's a day or resident camp) before camp and ongoing in-service training throughout the camp season. Among other things, the counselors are trained in the camp's purpose; the developmental needs of their campers; safety and emergency procedures; behavior management and camper supervision; expectations of their own performance and conduct; and the recognition, prevention and reporting of child abuse.
- (a) (b) (c) (d) (e) A number of ACA-accredited camps exist solely to ensure that children with special challenges can enjoy the social and development benefits of the camping experience.
- (a) or (b) , depending on whether it is a day or resident camp. For resident camps, the ACA recommends one counselor for every six children six years to eight, for every eight campers ages nine to 14, and for every 10 campers ages 15 to 18. For day camps, the recommended ratio is one counselor for every eight campers ages six to eight, for every 10 campers ages 9 to 14, and for every 12 campers ages 15 to 18.
- (a) (b) (c) (d) The first step in choosing a summer camp is to match the camp to your child's interests, needs, maturity level. It's important parents or guardians be informed and intentional when choosing a program for a child. Each child and family has different expectations. So parents should ask about the aspects of the camp that are important to them. While many fine camps are not accredited by the ACA, that accreditation means that the camp meets up to 300 important accepted camp standards.
- (d) More than 11 million children and adults attend camp each year. Many return year after year.
- (a) (b) (c) (d) One of the best things parents can do is to carefully research their options. Camps come in all sizes and shapes, and at all price points. Registering early often qualifies for a discount. And 90 percent of ACA-accredited camps offer some form of financial assistance to more than one million children who are from economically deprived families, have special medical needs, or who are in other special situations that might preclude them from attending camp.
- (d) ACA accreditation verifies a camp complies with up to 300 individual health and safety and program-quality standards established for the site/facility, food service, transportation, health and wellness, operational management, human resources, program design and activities, aquatics, adventure/challenge programs, horseback riding, trip and travel programs.
- (a) (b) (c) (d) At camp, kids generally eat healthier, are more physically active, try out lots of different activities, and generally stay away from the television set. All these factors help kids control their weight. Also, the summer camp experience generally helps improves the kids' self esteem, which also contributes to them taking better care of themselves.
- (b) Homesickness is natural, especially for first-timer campers. Fortunately, it is rarely serious. And parents can minimize the possibility of homesickness by preparing their children well for the camping experience and by supporting them (not rescuing them) when they are at camp.
- (a) The Gunnery Camp in Washington, Connecticut, is considered the first organized American camp. The American Camp Association itself was founded 100 years ago, in 1910. To learn more about the history of summer camps, go to www.acacamps.org/anniversary.
- (a) (b) (c) and (d) Camp fairs give parents an excellent way to learn about summer camp options. For more information about summer camps in general, visit www.campparents.org and www.acacamps.org. To find a quality summer camp in Northern California, go to www.acanorcal.org./findcamp.php, phone 916-333-5344 or e-mail info@acanorcal.org.
Scoring
Give yourself one point for each correct answer.
0-15 You probably have not had any direct summer camps experience. You might want to talk with some camp directors, counselors or other parents to get a better idea of its value.
16-30 You probably have had some exposure to summer camps. Maybe this is the year to increase your knowledge and experience.
30-38 A camp expert! You obviously know the dramatic difference that a summer camp can provide.
About the American Camp Association
For 100 years, ACA's community of camp professionals has joined together to share knowledge and experience and to promote positive human development by enriching the lives of children, youth, and adults through the camp experience. More than 7,000 individual members belong to the American Camp Association, which is the only national organization that accredits camps. There are more than 2,400 ACA-Accredited® camps throughout the U.S., which meet up to 300 health, safety, and programming standards.
To learn more about summer camp options in Northern California, visit acanorcal.org, e-mail info@ACANorCal.org or call 916-333-5344.
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