Camp Types
The American Camp Association (ACA) recently reported that, as it stands, there are about 7,000 overnight camps and about 5,000 day camps open for business in the USA. These camps cater for more than 11 million children and adults across the country so it should come as no surprise that there are several different camp types that make up this number.
Below, we look at each type;
Traditional
These camps are more than likely going to be what you envisage camp to be like when applying for a position with Skilled Summers in 2021.
A typical traditional camp will sit on a lake, accommodating its staff and cabins in log cabins and have a central lodge housing the dining hall. Varying in size, they tend to have excellent facilities to support a wide variety of camp activity types from the waterfront, outdoor adventure to arts & crafts and outdoor cooking.
These camps follow a typical daily schedule, expect breakfast, morning sessions, lunch, afternoon sessions then an evening activity where singing around a campfire is a popular way to bring the day to an end.
About These Camps
- Privately owned and usually owe their beginnings to a founding family or big organisation like the YMCA.
- Places are funded by the campers family (this is normally for a 1, 2 or 4 week period)
- Some traditional camps specialise in a certain area, such as performing arts or gymnastics.
- An extensive range of activities (watersports, arts & crafts, high ropes, horse riding etc) with high standard facilities
- Classic summer camp traditions (campfires, off-camp trips, ‘super Saturday’)
The Campers
- Range in age from 7-17 years old
- ‘Co-ed’ (boys & girls)
- Come from all over the world, but mainly the USA, Mexico and Canada
- Decide what activities they would like to take part in as part of their cabin (normally 6 campers and 2 counsellors)
- Usually overnight but some are day camps. Duration of camp is anywhere from 1-8 weeks.Accommodation & Facilities
- Cabins with bunk beds make up the majority of accommodation
- Counsellors will share cabins with the campers in ‘cabin’ groups (normally 6 campers)
- Activity/Specialist staff normally share a cabin with other staff rather than campers
Accommodation & Facilities
- Cabins with bunk beds make up the majority of accommodation
- Counsellors will share cabins with the campers in ‘cabin’ groups (normally 6 campers)
- Activity/Specialist staff normally share a cabin with other staff rather than campers
Single Gender
These camps are basically traditional camps but with single-gendered staff and campers.
A typical traditional single-gendered camp will sit on a lake, accommodating its staff and cabins in log cabins and have a central lodge housing the dining hall. Varying in size, they tend to have excellent facilities to support a wide variety of camp activity types from the waterfront, outdoor adventure to arts & crafts and outdoor cooking.
These camps follow a typical daily schedule, expect breakfast, morning sessions, lunch, afternoon sessions then an evening activity where singing around a campfire is a popular way to bring the day to an end.
About These Camps
- Privately owned and usually owe their beginnings to a founding family or big organisation like the YMCA.
- Places are funded by the campers family (this is normally for a 1, 2 or 4 week period)
- An extensive range of activities (watersports, arts & crafts, high ropes etc) with high standard facilities
- Classic summer camp traditions (campfires, off-camp trips, ‘super Saturday’)
The Campers
- Range in age from 7-17 years old
- Single-gendered
- Come from all over the world, but mainly the USA, Mexico and Canada
- Decide what activities they would like to take part in as part of their cabin (normally 6 campers and 2 counsellors)
- Usually overnight but some are day camps. Duration of camp is anywhere from 1-8 weeks.
Accommodation & Facilities
- Cabins with bunk beds make up the majority of accommodation
- Counsellors will share cabins with the campers in ‘cabin’ groups (normally 6 campers)
- Activity/Specialist staff normally share a cabin with other staff rather than campers
Girl Scout
The Girl Scouts of the United States (GSUSA), or simply Girl Scouts, is a youth organisation for girls formed in 1912 as a direct response to the creation of the boy scouting movement in 1911.
Many camps across the USA identify as Girl Scout camps and follow the principles of this organisation, focusing mainly on outdoor living, hiking, waterfront, outdoor cooking, camping and nature.
About These Camps
- Camps specifically for girls. Both campers and staff are female.
- Their aim is to help campers discover the power of girls being together.
- Some are independantly run while others are set up by local Girl Scout divisions.
- Like traditional camps, extensive range of activities, all with the aim of helping campers explore leadership, build skills and develop a deep appreciation for the outdoors.
The Campers
- Girls, aged 5 – 17 years old
- Sessions usually run during the week, from Monday to Friday. It is likely that you will have a new group of campers each week.
- Normally local to the area
- A variety of different, mainly outdoor-based, activities all with the aim of increasing leadership and team-building skills
- Just like the scouts, there is a fun tradition at Girl Scouts camps where campers never know the real name of their counsellor or other staff members, only by nickname!
Accommodation & Facilities
- Normally on the rustic side, cabins or even platform tents; really helping the campers feel at one with nature
- Counsellors normally stay in separate accommodation to campers
These camps are perfect for those with prior experience in the brownies or girl guides.
Special Needs
Special Needs camps exist to ensure that children and adults with varying mental and physical disabilities have the opportunity to experience an incredible summer at camp, just like anybody else.
About These Camps
- Cater for children and adults who require care to support a learning, emotional , physical or mental disability.
- Some camps specialise in severe physical disabilities while others will be for campers with behavioural disorders such as ADHD or autism.
- Act as respite for parents who care for the campers from day to day
The Campers
- Male and female, of all ages (some campers are in their 80’s!)
- Camper: counsellor ratio is higher compared to other camp types as personal care and attention is required
- Sessions normally run from 1-2 weeks, with campers tending to return time and time again for many years
- Normally local to the area
Accommodation & Facilities
- Cabin accommodation
- Counsellors live with their assigned campers
- A variety of different, activities, with adaptable equipment, that focus on giving campers a thoroughly rewarding, social, happy experience.
- A more in-depth staff training will take place in order to thoroughly prepare you for the campers and the different support required
Faith-based Camps
Many of the camps we work with in the USA identify as ‘faith-based’ which cater for campers from a Christian or Jewish background.
Some of these camps focus on providing the typical summer camp experience while emphasising faith-based principles (such as trust, honesty, love, friendship etc), while other camps put much more emphasis on including structured faith-based learning in their daily schedule.
Below, we take a look at what each camp has to offer if more strictly faith-based.
Christian
About These Camps
- Very similar to traditional camps, but incorporate a focus on a shared love of god through activities, devotionals and chapel services
- Staff will not necessarily have to be religious to work at a faith camp, but a respect and understanding for other people’s beliefs is essential.
The Campers
- Children who attend camp are normally aged between 7-16 and they will come from a variety of different backgrounds.
Accommodation & Facilities
The focus of these camps is on running a fun environment for the staff and campers during the summer whilst supporting their educational, social and spiritual development. You can normally expect lots of traditional summer camp activities such as sports, outdoor adventure, theatre, water activities and lots more! Accommodation will vary depending on the type of Christian camp you attend – although you are most likely to live in a cabin with other staff and campers.
Jewish
About These Camps
- These camps either owe their beginnings to jewish families or the American Jewish organisation. Either way, Jewish tradition will play a big part in how the camp runs.
- Camps will either be traditional, reform or orthodox
- Most of the camps we work with follow a more ‘traditional’ Jewish programme that includes Kosher meals and a Shabbat programme on Friday nights and Saturdays.
The Campers
- Male and female, varying in age from 6-16 years
- All campers will come from a Jewish background and will have a varied level of commitment to the Jewish faith.
- Stay from 1-4 weeks
Accommodation & Facilities
At a Jewish camp you can expect to work in a beautiful enviroment. You will most likely live in a camp cabin (bunk) with the campers and other staff. A Jewish camp will be no different than any other children’s camp in the USA. Along with the Jewish aspects of the camp, the camp will have a huge variety of sports and non-sports activities to choose from such as land and field sports, outdoor adventure, water activities, art, drama, music and much more!
Special Needs
Special Needs camps exist to ensure that children and adults with varying mental and physical disabilities have the opportunity to experience an incredible summer at camp, just like anybody else.
About These Camps
- cater for children and adults who require care to support a learning, emotional , physical or mental disability.
- some camps specialise in severe physical disabilities while others will be for campers with behavioural disorders such as ADHD or autism.
- act as respite for parents who care for the campers from day to day
The Campers
- male and female, of all ages (some campers are in their 80’s!)
- camper: counsellor ratio is higher compared to other camp types as personal care and attention is required
- sessions normally run from 1-2 weeks, with campers tending to return time and time again for many years
- normally local to the area
Accommodation & Facilities
- cabin accommodation
- counsellors live with their assigned campers
- a variety of different, activities, with adaptable equipment, that focus on giving campers a thoroughly rewarding, social, happy experience.
- a more in-depth staff training will take place in order to thoroughly prepare you for the campers and the different support required