1993 summer camp survey results.

Just over half of our 2,100 accredited camps returned their surveys this year, an increase of ten percent over last year. A total of 899 resident camps, 216 day camps and 29 resident and day camps responded to the survey.

Of those 1,150 camps, half reported their total enrollment was higher than it was in 1992, 27 percent said enrollment was about the same, and 22 percent said enrollment was lower. About one third of camps said registrations arrived later this year.

Concerning enrollment versus space available, 45 percent of camps said they were more than 95 percent full, 42 percent of camps reported being 80 to 94 percent full, and 13 percent of camps said they were less than 80 percent full.

The outlook for 1994 looks bright. Nearly 83 percent of camps said they expected enrollment to be about the same or higher, 16 percent didn't know, and only one percent expected lower enrollments.

New Campers: Adults

Camps reported that since 1992, enrollment has risen about 107,000, to a total of 829,996. About 32,000 of those added campers were adults.

The number of adults going to summer camp has nearly doubled in three years, from 54,061 in 1991 to 100,735 in 1993. These numbers do not include off-season conferences or retreats. Adults made up about 12 percent of total campers in 1993, compared to a little less than ten percent in 1992.

New Data

This year we asked new questions about racial and religious makeup of camper populations and the prevalence of family camps. These questions were added because so many reporters and researchers have asked us for the answers.

According to those camps responding to the survey, most campers are Caucasian. More than 900 camps said more than twothirds of their campers are Caucasian.

Only 33 camps said more than twothirds of their campers are AfricanAmerican. More than 700 camps said one tenth to one half their campers fall in this category.

Seventeen camps said more than twothirds of their campers are AsianAmerican. Nearly 500 camps said AsianAmerican campers numbered less than half of total enrollment.

Fourteen camps said more than twothirds of their campers are Hispanic. Just over 500 camps said less than half their campers are Hispanic.

We also asked for camps' religious affiliation or their campers' religion if campers were mostly of the same faith. Of camps responding, 202 are Protestant camps, 101 are Jewish, 17 are Catholic and one is Moslem.

Concerning family camp, half the respondents reported they offer or are planning to offer family camp. About 44 percent of those already offering family camp schedule it in the summer. About 38 percent schedule it in the off-season and 18 percent offer family camp yearround. Total attendance for family camp was reported as 68,435.

Concerns

When asked about their biggest concerns this summer, 28 percent of camps cited finding staff with special certifications, 21 percent said finding campers, 16 percent said camp finances, 16 percent said finding counselors or program staff and one percent said diversity issues.

No single issue dominated the "other" category, but answers included concerns with flooding, fire danger, food poisoning, insurance, legislation, vandalism, insect infestation and campers with severe personal problems.

When asked about the issues that are most important to them over the long term, 28 percent said finding campers and camp becoming too expensive, 17 percent said finding counselors, program staff and staff with special certifications, 13.5 percent said year-round school, 13 percent said camp maintenance costs and higher insurance, six percent said governmental regulations, 2.5 percent said parents requesting shorter sessions and one percent said ADA compliance.

Again, no single issue dominated in the "other" category. Answers included concerns with liability, relocating off a flood plain, J-1 visa problems, providing program variety for returning campers, campers with severe personal problems, finding grants to support low-income programs, not enough room for everyone who wants to come to camp, and "urban creep."

Thanks to everyone who participated in the survey. Your time and candid answers are invaluable and appreciated. All 32 ACA section presidents will receive complete copies of the national results, plus customized section and region reports.