Trends Worth Watching


Camps pride themselves on tradition and long-standing rituals, but when looking back on the Summer of 2010, it is obvious that some camps are capitalizing on today’s hottest issues (food allergy management), latest technology (social media) and most popular activities (cooking) to attract new campers


By Jill Tipograph T


his past summer, I visited more than 30 camps in the United States. My summer-long journey provided me with an amazing window into the great job camps are doing to adapt to the current business environment, while maintaining the cherished traditions that have always made camp a special place for children. Singing, cheering and all the excite- ment surrounding special events like Colour Wars and Olympics Days are still considered integral aspects of camp, not just by camp directors, but by the campers and staff members who cheerfully partici- pate and eagerly await them.


Among all of the innovations and changes camps are implementing in order to remain viable, it is rewarding to see that preserving traditions and cele- brating personal histories remain a cur-


12 Canada Camps Fall 2010


rent trend; and that acknowledging them (e.g., creating a memory path) is a won- derful way of blending the past with the present.


Although preserving camp tradition and rituals are good, camps must contin- ue to look for new ways to stay current, update themselves, accommodate new interests, address increased parental and society concerns and adapt to today’s economy and ever-changing environment. Without the proper mix of tradition and evolution, no camp can succeed. Here are just a few trends I witnessed during my time spent at camp this past summer.


1. Establishment of Preventive Programs • Anti-bullying programs are on the increase not only for staff training,


but for campers as well.


• Preventive lice programs are on the rise. Camps are requiring exclusive use of their supplied non-lice shampoo, while some camps are hiring profes- sional “nitpickers” for periodic exami- nations all summer-long.


2. Promoting Healthy Eating & Combating Obesity • More camp meals now include healthier options like tofu, rice cakes, tabouleh, yogurts, hummus, whole grain breads, more salads, fruits and vegetarian options.


• Camps have introduced fitness pro- grams and some have even built fit- ness rooms, including spinnning stu- dios, for older campers that rival any “adult” gym.


Photo: Camp Wanapitei


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