February, It May be Too Late for Camp!
More and more parents around the country are
considering summer camp as the opportunity of choice for their
child. The popularity of the camp experience is increasing
nationwide. The American Camping Association (ACA) reports summer
camp enrollment has been increasing up to 10 percent each year
since 1982. More than nine million children and adults attended
summer camp last year, and the number is expected to increase
again this summer.
"As parents discover the value of the camp
experience for their children, early registration continues to be
an important option to avoid the summer camp enrollment rush and
to ensure parents that their child has a place in the camp of
their choice," states Peg Smith, executive director of the
ACA.
Camps commonly offer many types of early-bird
incentives to parents and campers. And, just as early-registration
incentives are not uniform for all camps, specific dates for early
sign-up also differ, usually because of the popularity of camp in
specific areas of the country.
New England and New York
According to Bette Bussel, section executive of the American
Camping Association New England Section, as early as February,
some camps in New England are already full with waiting list.
"Some camps have discontinued early registration and sibling
discounts [a common practice when siblings attend camp together;
an enrollment discount of 3 to 10 percent is offered for one
sibling] because they no longer need incentives to fill their
camps."
"I suggest that parents speak to the
owners/directors individually about any early-bird registration
policy and make their decisions as soon as possible." states
Judith Winston, section executive of the ACA New York section.
Typical early-bird incentives include the
following:
Last year's campers receive priority in registration
Campers receive free camp apparel with early registration by a
specified date.
Camper families can refer other families and receive a 5 percent
discount on enrollment.
A free seat on the bus to camp if registered by a specified date.
Multiple camp session discounts often save you 10 percent of
enrollment costs.
Mid-America
Lee Smith of Camp Ondessonk recommends that campers in Illinois be
registered by the end of March at the latest. "ACA camps are
trying to get the message across that you can't wait until April
or May to decide on a camp for your son or daughter. It's not too
early to be thinking about summer camp," says Smith.
Examples of early-bird incentives for some camps
in Mid-America include:
- Discounts for returning campers who register
in January.
- Early registration discounts through
December.
- Free T-shirts if registered by February 15
with all fees paid by May 15.
- Discount of $75.00 if paid in full before
December 31; discount of 5 percent if paid enrollment by
February 15; $50.00 discount for additional siblings; and
$50.00 off each additional session.
South
Parents can expect early-bird opportunities for summer camp in
Texas and Oklahoma to begin in January. "Common times for
early registration are mid-January then increasing to late
March," says Danielle Shaw, section executive of the ACA
Texoma Section.
"In working with a day camp, most of our
calls start coming in around the time that schools are having
Spring Bread," comments Chris Strevel, section president of
the ACA Heart of the South Section.
West
In California, many agency/municipal camps open registration on
April 1; they tend to have later registrations than private camps.
Often private camps start early registration in the fall.
"Camps seem to be filling their registrations earlier each
year. To guarantee a space in the session of choice, it's a good
idea to get started before the holidays," recommends Jay
Poulter, section president of the ACA Rocky Mountain Section.
Sign up now? Thousands of camps across the
country are available from which to choose, but you must make your
plans early. Contact a camp with your questions and find out their
suggested times for registration. Find camp contacts through www.ACAcamps.org
or the American Camping Association's 2001 Guide to ACA-Accredited
Camps, which is available for ordering online, via your local
bookstore or directly from the ACA Bookstore by calling
800-428-CAMP. It's never too early to be thinking about giving the
gift of camp to your child.
Founded in 1910, the American Camping
Association is a national organization of camp professionals and
is dedicated to a firm belief that the camp experience enriches
lives and changes the world. ACA is the only organization that
accredits all types of camps based upon 300 standards for health
and safety.
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