By Cathy Ashby

Traditional sleepaway camps may still offer kids the opportunity to experience a low-tech life that’s in tune with Mother Nature, but the explosive growth of the summer camp industry and the ever-expanding capabilities of the World Wide Web have changed not just the definition of “summer camp,” but also the ways we research programs for our children.

First of all, there are more choices than ever. From adventure to academics, sports to spirituality, summer camp programming now reaches far beyond the still popular, cabin-style camping that many of our parents enjoyed. Even more astonishing than the number of programs—the American Camp Association puts that number at close to 12,000 in the U.S. today—is the ease with which parents can now find, say, a surf program by the Bay, a computer camp in Silicon Valley, or adventure trekking in the Sierra Foothills.

The Internet puts thousands of summer camps at your family’s fingertips. Campers in past generations might have known of a total of only five or six camps, just based on those programs that friends or family members had attended.

“The Internet has completely changed the way people look for summer camps,” says Missy Cook, marketing director for Broadreach Summer Adventures for Teenagers. “People used to do their research primarily through word-of-mouth and through printed summer camp guides. Word-of-mouth is still important, but most people research camps online these days.”

Jim Miller, the owner of Camp Greystone in Tuxedo, N.C., believes the Internet hasn’t just changed the search process, it’s changed it for the better. “It has empowered parents to compare camps and make informed decisions,” he explains. “Previously, it took much longer to get the information that goes into the decision process: find the name of a good camp, get their phone number, talk for a while with the secretary or director, get a catalog and video in the mail. After one or two camps are researched in this way, one tends to just settle. The Internet allows an easy comparison of literally dozens of camps that are potential matches for a camper’s needs.”

On websites, camp personnel can provide details, photographs, videos, camper testimonials and more in an interactive and engaging way. Far more information is packaged this way than in the traditional glossy brochure.

Ann Sheets, the president of the American Camp Association, believes this is a big plus for parents. “Camps can provide not only the basic information about location, dates and costs … [they can include] videos from the camp and detailed information about programs, activities, staffing, what to bring, camp history and comments from current campers.” It’s a much more comprehensive package for parents to ponder.

More comprehensive? Undoubtedly. A bit too comprehensive? Maybe.

Says Sheets, “The Internet makes looking for a camp both easier and harder. Easier because there is more detailed information about camps; harder because there are more choices to consider.”

And, she says, it should never replace personal contact with camp staff. “A camp’s website should be considered an introduction to the camp, not the only source of information.”

Kat Vanden Heuvel, the resident camp director at YMCA Camp Harrison in Boomer, N.C., agrees. Camp websites, she says, should help you narrow your search. “Websites are wonderful at getting you a lot of information quickly, but they don’t take the place of meeting staff, getting the actual ‘feel’ of the camp and what the camp has to offer your child.” Site tours, phone calls and camp fairs are better ways to make those personal connections, she says.

“Having the greatest website in the world doesn’t eliminate the need for personal contact,” says Bob Prout, executive director of All-Arts & Sciences Camp. Like Vanden Heuvel, he and other camp administrators encourage parents to contact prospective camps through a variety of channels.

Rhonda Mickelson, an executive director of the American Camp Association, agrees that the Internet is a great way to start your research, but, she says, “personal interaction is still necessary, and a parent should be asking a variety of questions, even if the information is on the website.” She suggests including these questions in your conversations with camp directors or other staff:
- What type of training does the camp staff receive in emergency procedures? Behavior management? General health and safety?
- Tell me about your hiring process. What percentage of staff return every year? And what percentage of campers come back?
- How can I communicate with my child at camp? Can they call or use email?

“There’s so much to be gained from personal contacts with camp staff at many venues,” says Thomas Patterson, program director of Duke Youth Programs in Durham. “If you have particular needs or questions or want specific information that might influence your decision, a phone call or a personal conversation is the best way to go.”

In the end, most camp insiders agree. The Internet has changed the way parents find programs and make selections, but personal contact is still key. In the same way that parents teach their children not to rely on the Internet exclusively for help with homework and research projects, summer camp experts urge parents to branch out. The Web is an excellent place to start your search, but don’t make the mistake of ignoring the personal connection. The give-and-take of a real conversation about your child’s particular needs will go a long way toward ensuring a successful summer experience.

Check Out Sacramento Parent’s New Online Camp Guide!
Just click the button on our Home Page.