Camps are filling faster than ever this year. More and more parents around the country are considering summer camp as the opportunity of choice for their child. The popularity of the camp experience is increasing nationwide. The American Camping Association reports summer camp enrollment has been increasing up to 10 percent each year since 1992. More than nine million children and adults attended summer camp last year, and the number is expected to increase this summer.
Camps commonly offer many types of early-bird incentives to parents and campers.
According to Bette Bussel, section executive of the American Camping Association New England Section, as early as February, some camps in New England are already full with waiting lists. The balance of campers register on or about March 1. Most parents would like to be thinking about or have their children signed up for camp by January. Mid-America Lee Smith of Camp Ondessonk recommends that campers in Illinois be registered by the end of March at the latest. American Camping Association camps are trying to get the message across that you can t wait until April or May to decide on a camp for your son or daughter.