Camp is truly a life-changing experience — one that provides a lifetime of memories, and develops real life skills needed to be a leader in today’s changing world. For many families, camp is already a holiday tradition. For those families who haven’t considered camp yet this season, the American Camp Association® (ACA) lists the top ten reasons to give the gift of camp:

 

10. Gift-wrapping a pony has never been easy. Trust us, we’ve tried.

 

9. Aunt Maude’s fruitcake is still on the top shelf of the pantry.

 

8. According to research from The Children’s Mutual, 41 percent of toys and presents given during the December holidays are broken by March.

 

7. No waiting in line! The average American spends 25 percent of holiday shopping time in line.

 

6. No assembly or batteries required.

 

5. Camp helps boost confidence! According to ACA research, 92 percent of campers reported that camp helped them feel better about themselves.

 

4. First-hand experiences with nature! From insects to vegetation and woodland critters to fish, the camp experience surrounds children with nature and develops a hands-on appreciation for the environment and the natural world.

 

3. Friends come in all shapes and sizes, and from all different backgrounds. ACA research indicates that 96 percent of campers made new friends, and 93 percent of campers met people that were different from them. The camp experience helps develop authentic friendships and a sense of community, while making children more aware of the world around them.

 

2. Camp helps stem summer learning loss. According to the National Summer Learning Association, most children experience some degree of learning loss in the summer months. Research has shown that participation in an experiential education program, like camp, has a positive effect on children while helping to stem learning loss.

 

1. Camp is FUN!

 

Families ready to give the gift of camp can visit www.CampParents.org for resources, expert advice, or ACA’s Find A Camp database of over 2,400 ACA-accredited® camps. A printable gift certificate is also available — families can tuck it in a new backpack, roll it in a new sleeping bag, wrap it around a new flashlight, or put it in a traditional gift box complete with colorful paper and a bow. No matter how it's delivered, the gift of camp is the gift of a lifetime.

 

The American Camp Association® (ACA) works to preserve, promote, and enhance the camp experience for children and adults. ACA-Accredited® camp programs ensure that children are provided with a diversity of educational and developmentally challenging learning opportunities. There are over 2,400 ACA-accredited camps that meet up to 300 health and safety standards. For more information, visit www.ACAcamps.org.