Summer
Camp
Camp Structure |
Summer Camp Period |
Camp Schedule
|
Free Time and Leisure
It
is difficult to give a brief explanation of what American summer camps
for children are like because of the wide differences to be found amongst
them. There are three major kinds of camps: organizational camps, private
camps and institutional camps.
Organizational camps are sponsored by such groups as the YMCA, YWCA, Girl Scouts, Church denominations, etc. Children in these camps are sometimes from homes in the lower economic levels, and from many different cultural and racial origins, but they may also come from middle income families. Campers pay a moderate fee, with many children receiving scholarship help. They stay in camp for periods ranging from one to eight weeks.
Private camps are owned by an individual or family, usually by the camp director. Children are generally from middle and upper income families. These camps vary greatly in educational policy and program content, according to the particular purposes of the director. Each camper pays a fee and stays in camp from one to eight weeks.
Institutional camps include those for mentally and physically handicapped people. These camps are for children and adults who have special needs and require special attention. Working in these camps is very demanding, and sometimes specialized experience is required.
Types
of Camps | Summer Camp Period
| Camp
Schedule | Free Time and
Leisure
Camp enrollments can range from 25 to 500 children. Some are for boys only, or for girls only; many are for both. All camps include such permanent buildings as a dining hall, office headquarters, recreation hall and infirmary (small hospital). In addition, most camps have permanent cabins for housing the campers. Some provide running hot water, indoor showers and toilets. Scout camps tend to be more rugged, with campers and counselors often living in tents outdoors.
It should be noted that while camping in other countries is often an informal arrangement, with the emphasis on outdoor camping and cooking, hiking, sports, etc., American camping usually combines these activities with a program of handicrafts, dramatics, woodcraft, animal care, and special athletic instruction within a more structured environment. Overnight camping, long hikes and canoe trips are planned as special activities.
Types
of Camps | Camp Structure
| Camp Schedule |
Free Time and Leisure
Almost
all of the camps begin their orientation training for counselors sometime
between June 6 and 20. It is essential that international counselors
arrive in the United States during this period. A camp has considerable
difficulty arranging for a new counselor to join the staff late, and
a late arrival sometimes misses important information given in pre-camp
training. The summer camp period usually closes sometime during the
last two weeks of August.
Types
of Camps | Camp Structure
| Summer Camp Period |
Free Time and Leisure
While camps vary widely in their program schedules, the following is given as a typical arrangement of the day's activities:
Bed time for campers depends, of course, on their age. Teenagers retire somewhat later than younger children. Normally, cabin counselors are expected to stay up with the children. Counselors are usually free after the children go to bed, and may gather for late coffee and discussions.
Types
of Camps | Camp Structure
| Summer Camp Period |
Camp Schedule
In most camps counselors have five or six days of free time during the
course of the summer, often one day each week except for the opening
and closing weeks. On these days, international counselors often go
with other counselors into nearby towns. In some cases this may be difficult
due to transportation problems. Most camps are located far from large
cities. In some cases the camp make some arrangements for international
counselors to visit families in nearby communities. Ordinarily there
is very little free time on days the counselor is on duty. Although
the programs usually not very strenuous, the counselor is responsible
for his or her group all through the day and evening. Most camps also
have a no smoking policy. Often, it feels like a 24-hour job...
