Summer Camp Is Essential for All Children, According to American Camp Association Northern California

CARMICHAEL, CA--(Marketwire - February 12, 2009) - Research continues to provide evidence that summer camp has become even more essential for healthy child development, according to the American Camp Association® (ACA) Northern California. The research shows that the summer camp experience can have a long-term positive effect on kids, helping campers build the skills necessary to be successful adults.

"At camp, children have a good time and, more importantly, experience successes that promote self-confidence and future academic growth," said Sari VanOtegham, president of ACA Northern California. "The camp environment helps kids grow and learn in ways that will serve them for their entire lives. Camp can have a positive effect on children for the long term."

"And, while some people might think camp is a privilege, research shows that all children benefit from the experience," VanOtegham added. In independent research published by the ACA, campers report significant growth in several areas, including leadership, independence, values, decision-making skills and the ability to make friends. The research also shows that children maintain these gains after the summer camp experience. (Source: The Youth Development Outcomes of the Camp Experience research project, 2005. Conducted by the American Camp Association in collaboration with Philliber Research Associates and supported in part by a grant from Lilly Endowment Inc.)

Fortunately, there is a camp for everyone. Day and resident camps range from traditional to special interest, family camps and camps for special populations, such as children with disabilities. Many camps have sliding-scale fees or scholarships.

For more information about summer camps in general, visit http://www.campparents.org and http://www.ACAcamps.org. To find a quality summer camp in Northern California, go to http://www.ACAnorcal.org./findcamp.php, phone 916-333-5344 or e-mail info@acanorcal.org.

About the American Camp Association

For nearly 100 years, ACA's community of camp professionals has joined together to share knowledge and experience and to promote positive human development by enriching the lives of children, youth, and adults through the camp experience. More than 7,000 individual members belong to the American Camp Association, which is the only national organization that accredits camps. There are over 2,400 ACA-Accredited® camps throughout the U.S., which meet up to 300 health, safety, and programming standards.

Note to Editor: Feature materials, photos and other resources are available upon request and at http://www.acacamps.org/media_center.

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