| Since Frederick W. Gunn founded the first American | | | | changed considerably over the years, especially to |
| summer camp in 1861 summer summer camps have | | | | include shorter stays and camp stays in weekly |
| have evolved from an outdoor wilderness experience | | | | increments. |
| where boys paddled canoes and built campfires to a | | | | Does that mean that the positive forces of the |
| now astoundingly broad "Camp" term, that also | | | | traditional camp experience, such as: bonding with |
| signifies niche and specialty. | | | | other campers, improved self-esteem and greater |
| Thanks to Mr. Gunn, the great American tradition of | | | | independence, are gone from today's summer camp |
| summer camp continues to exist today. And even | | | | experience? The answer is no, and especially for |
| though the campfire spirit of summer camp is still alive; | | | | overnight camps with longer stays. |
| a greater diversity of camp types (film, horseback | | | | And specialty camps? Kids and teens love these too, |
| riding, adventure, computer) are around for boys, girls | | | | and these types of camps provide kids with an |
| and teens to choose from. | | | | opportunity to focus on something that interests them. |
| Keeping an ear to the ground and an eye on changing | | | | Just like traditional camps, kids are usually put with |
| trends, traditional overnight summer camps (the ones | | | | others in their age group; but sometimes skill level is a |
| that have a wide range of activities: from tennis, | | | | determining factor. |
| swimming, horseback riding to ropes and drama) have | | | | |