Skift Take
Overnight camps are not often thought of as a form of travel, but looking closely it becomes apparent that their business model is not that different from adults’ tours and all-inclusive resorts.
Summer camps are where most young Americans get their first taste of solo travel. Children spend anywhere from two weeks to two months without their parents and often travel across the country, or at least a few states away, to get there.
Of the approximately 12,000 camps in the U.S., 7,000 are resident camps and 5,000 are day camps. The American Camp Association, which accredits camps that meet a certain standard of operation, states an even higher number with more than 13,000 resident camps and 9,000 day camps.
These camps employ more than 1.2 million adults. In particular, there’s been an increase in the hiring of international staff over the past 10 years.
Internet has become an invaluable tool for camps’ individual operations, but also for marketing and attracting the foreign counselors, which introduce new cultures to the campers.
The infographic dives into current statistics and data of campgrounds throughout the U.S.:
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Photo credit: A camper takes an archery lesson at Camp Hazen YMCA in Connecticut. Camp Hazen