It's Time to Register for Summer Camp, Advises the American Camp Association, Northern California


ORINDA, CA -- (MARKET WIRE) -- January 31, 2007 -- It is not too early to think about summer camp, advises the American Camp Association (ACA), Northern California. Many camps begin filling up early in the season. Early registrants typically get the camp, time frame and activities they want.

The camp experience is very beneficial for children, and there is a resident or day camp for every child and every budget. "Camp is a wonderful change of pace and environment for kids," said Andrew Townsend, president of ACA Northern California. "At camp, kids can relax, have fun and learn personal skills -- such as making friends and playing fair -- that will serve them for their entire lives."

To find an ACA-accredited camp, visit www.ACAnorcal.org and click on Find a Camp. Families can search for a camp by criteria such as location, specialization, age, gender and cost. Besides traditional camps, the database includes family camps, special-interest camps and camps for special populations, such as children with disabilities. Several camps have expanded programs for teens, and many have sliding-scale fees or scholarships.

All camps in the ACA database are accredited, which means they have undergone a thorough (more than 300 health and safety standards) review of their operation, from staff qualifications and training to emergency management. Accreditation is voluntary and, while many good camps are not accredited, ACA accreditation assures families that camps have made the commitment to a safe, nurturing environment for their children.

The American Camp Association works to preserve, promote, and enhance the camp experience for children and adults. ACA-accredited camp programs ensure that children are provided with a diversity of educational and developmentally challenging learning opportunities.

For more information about summer camps in general, visit www.campparent.org and www.ACAcamps.org. To find an ACA-accredited camp in California and to access other resources, visit http://www.ACAnorcal.org, phone 415-453-1832 or e-mail info@acanorcal.org.

Note to Editor: Feature materials on the camp experience are available upon request. Photos are available at www.acacamps.org/media_center/gallery.php

Contact Information: Contact: Kay Paumier Communications Plus 510-656-8512 Email Contact