A letter from Peg.

A century-old problem ... how does one define camp? Over the years, the dilemma has only grown more difficult.

Some want camp defined by its location or setting. For instance, some will use descriptors of the surroundings such as urban or rural, or trees, water, and mountains to define camp. There are those who want to define camp by describing activities, games, and songs. Still others will wax poetically about camp sponsorship and/or issues of duration to define a camp experience. To tell the truth, it is difficult to discover an undeniable, unequivocal definition for the camp experience. I suspect a bit of truth lies in each description. I wish I possessed the magic definition but, like everyone else, there is one descriptor that rings true for me: developmental.

Now, those of you who know me are prepared for me to launch into my laundry list of developmental attributes of the camp experience. Camp provides the most outstanding ratio of caring adults for each camper attendance. Camp offers primary, experiential education opportunities allowing children to become "unplugged." Camp professionals understand emotional and physical growth, providing exemplary risk management in an environment designed with the camper's needs in mind. These elements are true, and developmental, but there is another developmental design element of the camp experience--our business model. As a camp community, we offer programs for campers from ages three to ninety-three. We are a community that embraces the community of life--the family.

Today's camp community illustrates a developmental model that spans across all generations: family camp, day camp, resident camp, trip and travel camp, specialty camp, special needs camp, and senior camps. We know that every camp may not be the perfect fit, but we also know there is a perfect camp for everyone. The ACA camp community, regardless of our individual definition of camp, understands that the value of the camp experience has developmental opportunities for all. That fact in of itself makes camp a valuable asset in today's society. We are a unique community that meets the needs of today's community of life.

Peg Smith, ACA CEO