Summer Camp Delivers Fun With a Purpose

By Jan Watson, research project manager
Research Service
Marketing & Communications Division

The camping experience provides more than just fun. Scouts say summer camp offers physically and intellectually challenging activities, new and rewarding experiences, and supportive and caring relationships.

In just one week of camp, youth develop:

1. Strong personal values and character by participating in thought-provoking activities such as
   • Making decisions
   • Attending flag ceremonies
   • Praying
   
    
2. Positive sense of self-worth and usefulness through helping others by
   • Serving meals and cleaning
   • Communicating positively with others
   • Expressing their opinions
   • Leading others in an activity or service
   
    
3. Caring and nurturing relationships with parents, other adults, and peers through group activities with peers and adults they trust as they
   • Mentor other Scouts
   • Get advice from adults
   • Form strong friendships
   
    
4. Desire to learn by exploring nature and the environment and
   • Doing things they have never done before
   • Testing their thinking ability
   • Earning merit badges
   
    
5. Productive and creative use of time through both physical and intellectual activities as they
   • Work with others on merit badges or tasks
   • Work on camp improvement projects
   • Become more self-reliant
   
    
6. Social adeptness through team-building activities, including
   • Meeting new people
   • Helping others accomplish something
   • Participating in patrol/troop decision making
   • Participating in skits or songs
   
    

Most important, both boys (78 percent) and parents (96 percent) would recommend the Boy Scout camp they attended to others.

Leaders Benefit From Summer Camp, Too

Leaders also grow and learn from summer camp. They develop:

• Satisfaction by playing an important role:
  • Helping Scouts succeed, grow (96 percent)
  • Helping Scouts realize their own abilities (92 percent)
  • Reducing stress (65 percent) and having fun (91 percent)
  
   
• Caring and nurturing relationships by building friendships with kids and adults:
  • With people they respect (92 percent)
  • Increasing their understanding about youth (82 percent)
  • Learning from other leaders (71 percent).
  
   

Resources

The following publications, available through the National Distribution Center, provide more information on the benefits of summer camp.

• Boy Scouts of America Summer Camp Outcomes Study: A Study Conducted by Harris Interactive, No. 02-448
• Boy Scout Summer Camp--An Investment in Youth and Leaders: A Harris Interactive Study, No. 02-448-5
• Boy Scout Summer Camp--Benefits Every Parent Should Know: A Harris Interactive Study, No. 02-448-3
• Campamento de Verano Boy Scout--Una Inversión en Jóvenes y Líderes: Un Estudio de Harris Interactive, No. 02-610
• Campamento de Verano Boy Scout--Benficios que Todos los Padres Deberían Conocer: Un Estudio de Harris Interactive, No. 02-611
• Outcomes of Summer Camp table tent, No. 02-448-4

The Merits of Marketing (marketing.scouting.org) is a resource for local councils, developed by the Marketing & Communications Division of the National Council, Boy Scouts of America.