Camp is truly a life-changing experience - one that provides a lifetime of memories and develops real life skills needed to be a leader in today's changing world. For many families, camp is already a holiday tradition. For those families who haven't considered camp yet this season, the American Camp Association® (ACA) lists the top five reasons to give the gift of camp:

 

#5   Gift-wrapping a pony has never been easy. Trust us, we've tried.

#4   No assembly or batteries required.

#3   Camp helps boost confidence! According to ACA research, 92 percent of campers reported that camp helped them feel better about themselves.

#2   Friends come in all shapes and sizes, and from all different backgrounds. ACA research indicates that 96 percent of campers made new friends, and 93 percent of campers met people that were different from them. The camp experience helps develop authentic friendships and a sense of community, while making children more aware of the world around them.

#1   Camp helps stem summer learning loss. According to the National Summer Learning Association, most children experience some degree of learning loss in the summer months. Research has shown that participation in an experiential education program, like camp, has a positive effect on children while helping to stem learning loss.

Families ready to give the gift of camp can e-mail Mark at morens@bar-t.com for a printable gift certificate - families can tuck it in a new backpack, roll it in a new sleeping bag, wrap it around a new flashlight, or put it in a traditional gift box complete with colorful paper and a bow. No matter how it's delivered, the gift of camp is the gift of a lifetime.