Campfires, s'mores, late night swims, bunk beds, and learning to ride...all these great memories swirl up when anyone speaks of summer camp. Where else besides camp can a young girl master archery, crazy campfire songs, diving off an old pier, and being almost totally self-reliant. Summer camp provides the opportunity to create irreplaceable memories and life-long friendships.
Summer camps have existed in the United States since the'60's. The traditional, residential summer camp is usually located in a forested spot-often near a lake. The simple open-air setting fosters a sense of connection with nature and allows the campers to get in touch with the basics that provide a sound foundation for life. Many of the earliest camps were founded in the Northeast and upper Midwest away from large urban areas; a number of them are still in operation today. In'61, the first summer camp was started by Frederick and Abigail Gunn. Headmasters of a small home-school for boys in Connecticut, they took the school on a two week trip filled with camping, hiking, trapping, and fishing. The Gunnery Camp continued for another 12 years. The idea spread as additional camps were sponsored by organizations such as the YMCA and the Boy Scouts.
Girls' camps soon followed; the earliest was established by the YWCA in'74 as a vacation house providing respite for young working women. In'02, the first private girls' camps were founded in New Hampshire and Maine. Soon after, residential girls' camps were flourishing in America. The Camp Fire Girls, founded in'10, launched their camp program in'14. Girl Scouts camps, started in'12, grew to over 300 by'25. As of 2005, according to the American Camp Association, there are more than 12,000 residential and day camps in the United States, serving over 10 million children. Approximately 30% of these are all-girl camps.
From the beginning, girls' camps have focused on developing girls into self-reliant young adults , full of the character and confidence needed to transition into the adult world with ease. As girls move through each camp day, they master archery, horseback riding, swimming, how to build and douse a fire and the creation of fireside plays ; yet, other intangible results occur. These same young ladies discover leadership, inventiveness, the self-esteem built on mastery of new tasks, team building and friendships, community and compromise. As they learn to accept themselves and others without pretensions, girls absorb training that will stay with them for a lifetime. As young women face the complex world of today, they often draw on the messages of strength and leadership they first encountered in summer camp.
Summer camps come in all shapes and sizes...day camps, specialty camps, performing arts camps, computer camps, university camps...but the traditional residential summer camp is still the basis for them all. It is a part of childhood every young girl should experience. Summers of s'mores and cabins live on in the memories of countless strong leaders and gifted citizens throughout the nation.
Author Resource:
Fernwood Cove offers extra special summers for girls, a magical place where no two days are alike. The girls experience a traditional camp experience, offered in two separate 3 1/2 week sessions. Girls develop long lasting friendships and an appreciation of the outdoors while experiencing quality, skill-based activity instruction. This article powered by SEO 2.0 Services
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