Suburban Library System Reference Service Hello Muddah, Hello Fadduh... Exploring Summer Camps With January temperatures climbing into the upper 50s, it seems a perfect time to talk about summertime events. I've gathered some information to show your patrons how to locate the perfect camp or retreat. (Note that Web sites are listed near the end of this document, after a discussion of print resources.) Alan Sherman's famous song notwithstanding, summer camps are not just for kids. There are a number of adult retreats now available. No matter what age group is involved, though, what happens at a summer camp can range from pure recreation to an intense learning experience. The American Camping Association publishes the best all-around source for camps and retreats, titled Guide to ACA-Accredited Camps, 1997/98 edition. Detailed and varied indexes are what make this source particularly useful. There is an alphabetical list of all camps, of course, but this is supplemented by several others, including those for day camps, Christian camps, and camps that rent their facilities. Particularly useful is a "Special Clientele" index for finding camps with specialized facilities and staff trained to deal with health problems and disabilities, as well as camps designed for seniors, single adults, and gifted students. An "Activity Index" lets you locate camps with archery, arts & crafts, or aviation, not to mention backpacking, bicycling, or boating. | |
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