Summer camp: Difference between revisions

'''Summer camp''' is a common destination for children and teenagers during the [[Summer vacation|summer months]] in some countries. Children and adolescents who attend camp ("campers") participate in a variety of activities, many of which wouldn't be possible or practical during the school year. Although the traditional image of summer camp is of a woodsy place with [[hiking]], [[canoeing]], and [[campfire]]s, today's summer camps offer a wide variety of specialized activities. For example, there are camps for the [[performing arts]], [[rock music]], [[magic (illusion)]], [[computer camp|computers]], children with [[Disability|special needs]], and [[Dieting|weight loss]]. Religious summer camps, especially those run by [[Jewish]] organizations like [[URJ]], [[Young Israel]], [[Bnei Akiva]], and also by [[Evangelical Christian]] organizations, are also very popular.

In most camps, the adult supervisors are called counselors. Counselors are responsible for guiding the campers during activities and ensuring the safety of the campers. In many camps, counselors are assigned to smaller groups of campers, called "bunks", "huts", or "cabins", who participate in activities as a group. Counselors often share living accommodations with their bunk. Most counselors are in their late teens or early twenties, as it is an ideal job for [[high school]] or [[college]] students on summer break. Although counselor jobs don't usually pay well (often [[minimum wage]] or less), counselors receive free room and board. Many take the job primarily for its enjoyable experience.

In the [[United States of America|US]], [[youth organization]]s, like the [[Boy Scouts of America|Boy Scouts]], [[4-H]], Relgious Groups, and the [[Young Men's Christian Association|YMCA]], are known for having many camps and integrating them with their own local organizations. According to recent statistics from the [[American Camp Association]] (ACA), those three organizations operated more than 440 ACA-accredited camps in the US (approximately 20% of all ACA-accredited camps in the US). {{Fact|date=February 2007}}

In [[Canada]], especially in [[Ontario]], summer camps are very popular. Similar to American camps about 70% of Canadian camps tend to be affiliated with organizations, the rest of Canadian camps would be private.

In the [[USSR]], the first summer camps were created shortly after its establishment and were called [[Young Pioneer camp]]s during the Soviet Union's existence. Their number grew throughout the history of the Soviet Union and they numbered more than forty thousand in 1973, with 9,300,000 children attending them during their vacation every year. After the breakup of the USSR, the number of Young Pioneer camps greatly declined. However, many of the major camps still exist.  

They are also very common in [[France]], where they are called ''colonie de vacances'' or more more recently ''centre de vacances''. According to the French administration [http://www.jeunesse-sports.gouv.fr/jeunesse_2/les-centres-vacances-centres-loisirs_229/presentation-centres-vacances-centres-loisirs_413/presentation-centres-vacances-centres-loisirs_825.html], more than 25% of French children attend this kind of "collective holiday" each year. This country is often said to have a hightly structured practice. For example, the [[BAFA]] (''Brevet d'Aptitude aux Fonctions d'Animateur de Centres de Vacances et Loisirs'') qualification is required for camp counselors.

'''Non-college credit courses''', such as [[CTY]], are focused primarily on education or on educational-related activities, such as [[debate]], [[history]], or [[journalism]]. These camps are often run by colleges or universities, and are usually for children in junior or senior high school. Educational summer camps are different than [[summer school]]s as the summer camps often are not offered for school credit, and often have a significant focus on non-academic activities. Students for these programs are often invited or recruited.

Other camps have become summer training grounds for a variety of arts. Famous examples are [[Litchfield Jazz Camp]], [[Buck's Rock|Buck's Rock Performing and Creative Arts Camp]] (founded 1942), [[Stanford Jazz Workshop]], Camp Med-O-Lark and [[Stagedoor Manor]].

Across the United States and [[Canada]] are many Jewish Summer Camps. Jewish summer camps offer many of the same activities as regular summer camps (arts and crafts, ropes course, outdoor sports, singing, dancing, etc.), but also include Jewish educational components, Shabbat, Havdallah, Israel education, and celebration of Jewish holidays.

Many camps also bring children of all ages around the world. Some camps are often called 'Adventure Camps' - often having a very specific theme. Many of these programs emphasize skill development and personal growth through the adventures offered. Examples of such camps include [http://www.HulbertVoyageurs.org Voyageurs Youth Trips] (offering rock climbing, canoeing, kayaking and backpacking), [http://www.actionquest.com ActionQuest worldwide sailing and scuba diving adventures for teens], [http://www.gobroadreach.com Broadreach Summer Adventures],[http://www.academictreks.com Academic Treks],[http://www.adventurescrosscountry.com Adventures Cross-Country], [http://www.adventuretreks.com Adventure Treks],[http://www.wilderness-adventure.com Wilderness Adventure at Eagle Landing] (founded 1990) and [http://www.ancienttreasurehunters.com Ancient Treasure Hunters.] Others are known as "teen tours." Examples include [http://www.weissmantours.com/ Weissman Teen Tours], [http://www.westcoastconnection.com/ Westcoast Connection Tours],[http://www.reinteentours.com/ Rein Teen Tours], [http://www.americantrailswest.com/ American Trails West] and [http://www.summerfun.com/ Musiker Teen Tours].