Summer camp are words that trigger a flood of memories of the carefree fun and pranks played on unwary counselors at camp. These recollections, filtered through the mists of time fuel hilarious stories often shared at camp reunions. Summer camp is an institution begun in the mid 1800s when F. W. Gunn first took the boys from his home school for boys in Washington, Connecticut on a two week hiking trip during the summer vacation months and continued the Gumnery Camp for twelve years. The traditional view of summer camp conjures up visions of back to nature, hiking on narrow mountain trails, canoeing on placid lakes, shooting through the white water rapids of fast flowing rivers and sleeping out under the stars. Camp songs were sung and improvised skits were part of the evenings entertainment. The day wound down around the campfire complete with roasting marshmallows and telling ghost stories as smoke got in sleepy eyes. These time honored activities remain in tact in many camps and are added to or have been replaced by more sophisticated programs that offer a great variety of special interest programs.

The American Camp Association reports that at least ten million teens attend camp annually and there are approximately twelve thousand camps in the United States alone. These camps include religious, camps for profit and those for nonprofit and even government camps. In the United States, youth organizations such as the Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, 4H, the YMCA, and Camp Fire USA are credited with having many sites and often combine them with their local organizations.

One purpose of camping is to foster a positive developmental environment. Every attempt is made to provide a safe physical and emotional environment as the campers usually have a close association with caring adults. These adult leaders are called counselors who are responsible for teaching and guiding the campers during their various activities and to ensure their safety at all times. Counselors are often assigned to small groups sometimes called units or cabins. Rivalries between the various groups foster excitement and create allegiance to their counselor and cabin mates as they all strive to win the competition for their group. They often participate in the same activities and at other times they are free to sign up for activities or sports which are of the most interest to themselves. The campers have the opportunity to learn life skills, sports skills, and even subject matter skills.

Overnight summer camps are scheduled for one or two weeks up to four weeks or more. Summer camp is often the first time that teens spend an extended period of time away from home. Day camps are an option chosen by many as a good way to introduce the youngster to camping. Creating an atmosphere where games and sports are the rule and good friends are found is the perfect way for the young camper to begin his camping experience. Young campers need reassurance and acceptance for who they are. This is one reason that camp directors are very careful when selecting their staff. They look for people with the ability and training to encourage each teen individually and as part of the team, to build character and self-confidence. This is not an easy task but most rewarding for all. The experiences had will last a lifetime.

The search for the right summer camp should begin by selecting the type of camp that is of interest. There are many from which to choose and all possible types cannot be listed here so only a few will be mentioned here. Adventure or Wilderness Camp combines the exploration into nature including environmental studies with action and excitement. Art and Performing Art Camps offer classes in various artistic venues including visual art, music, drama, photography and crafts. For the younger group summer camp would not meet their expectations without an extensive crafts program. Academic or Educational Camps are becoming increasingly more popular as some camps offer students the opportunity of a pre college experience using college dormitories and attend classes run by the college faculty. Enrichment courses are given in other camps with the purpose of broadening interests in many otherwise unknown areas of study. Special Needs Camps for those with developmental disabilities, physical disabilities or visually impaired often require that the camper have a personal aide with them. This creates a whole set of problems to overcome but these types of camps are still increasing in scope and meet a definite need.

Sports Camps are the largest group of camps and are in the day camp category as well as the overnight camp category. Almost any sport imaginable is featured at one of these camps. They began as simply offering boys and girls the opportunity to learn to play many sports. This type of program could meet the needs of most including those with less physical prowess. They were able to compete on teams picked by ability. All would have a chance to play in the game. Focusing on team sports develops a sense of camaraderie and sportsmanship and not just on athletic ability.

Many other sports camps focus almost exclusively on one particular sport. The list is too long to enumerate all of them but a few of those which have been popular for years are archery, baseball, basketball, canoeing, chess, football, gymnastics, horseback riding, ice hockey, sailing, skateboarding, soccer, tennis, volleyball, and wrestling.

A game or sport that is fast catching on across the United States is the game of Kubb. This game lends itself to camp life because the space required is minimal and the equipment is readily obtainable and at little cost. The rules of the game are easily learned. It can be played one on one or as teams of two. The size of the playing ground can be less or more than the usual 5 X 8 meters depending on the players skillfulness. This makes it a game that can be adjusted to individual strengths or handicaps. It is permissible to shorten the width of the area of play for younger players making it easier for them to hit the kubbs. Individual campers could choose it as an elective or teams could be developed to the point of competing in the Kubb tournaments which are becoming increasingly popular. For camps that are looking for a new and interesting feature to add to their list of activities, the game of Kubb is unique. It can be played by all age groups of varying athletic ability. Kubb is a thinking game challenging to all who play it and meets the standard of sports set to teach valuable lessons in sportsmanship. Kubb would definitely be a drawing card to use when recruiting previous campers as well as new ones for the season.