Why Summer Camp Matters
- Jack Schott
- Mar 31
- 2 min read
by Jack Schott, Summer Camp Evangelist
"I’ve visited over 500 summer camps across the country.
And no matter where I go, one thing is always true:
Camp doesn’t really change. And that’s exactly why it works.
Years ago, I spent two summers visiting 200+ summer camps in 47 states. No set route, just a Honda Civic, a map, and a goal to see every kind of camp the U.S. had to offer.
Since then, I’ve worked with, trained, or toured 200+ more.
And everywhere I’ve been, one thing is clear: camp is a time capsule.
Sure, some things evolve.
The registration software is better.
Mental health is more of a priority.
Parents expect more communication.
But the core of camp? It’s the same as it’s always been.
Here’s why that matters.
1️⃣ Fun is still the foundation. If camp isn’t fun, nothing else works. That’s been true for decades and will be true forever.
2️⃣ Camps are safe spaces. Physically, emotionally, socially—camp is one of the few places where kids (and staff) feel safe to be themselves.
3️⃣ Simplicity wins. Walk across camp, do some activities, sing at a campfire, sleep in a sleeping bag. The simplest things create the deepest memories.
4️⃣ Feet are still the main form of transportation. Walking creates conversations, connections, and a rhythm that doesn’t exist in the outside world.
5️⃣ Being outside is the default. Kids and staff spend most of their day outside—something increasingly rare anywhere else.
6️⃣ The staff love it as much as the kids. Camp culture stays strong because the best campers become staff. They want the next generation to have the same experience they did.
7️⃣ The food is still… just okay. But it doesn’t matter. What does matter is eating together, serving together, and sharing meals as a community.
8️⃣ Smiles are the real metric. If you want to know how well a camp is running, count the smiles. A camp full of kids grinning ear to ear is a camp that’s doing it right.
9️⃣ Independence and community go hand in hand. At camp, kids gain confidence in themselves while learning how to trust and respect those around them.
🔟 People never want to leave. That’s the biggest sign that camp still works.
Kids want to stay. Staff don’t want the summer to end.
Camp professionals know this better than anyone: the world changes, but camp stays camp.
And that’s a good thing.
Because every summer, kids (and staff) step into a world that feels different from the one they left behind.
And for a few weeks, they get to experience something that feels timeless.
That’s what makes camp special. That’s what makes it last."
