About 11 million children and adults attend the 12,000 day and resident camps located throughout the United States, according to the American Camp Association (ACA), a community of camp professionals who work to ensure the quality of camp programs.

Over the past two decades the number of children who attend day and resident camps has increased.  The growth in camp attendance can be attributed to the benefits - social skills development, self-respect and character building, and the development of community living and service skills - that most children get from the camp experience, according to research by the ACA.

"Parents report that when their children return home from camp that are more caring, understand the importance of giving, are more equipped to stand up for what they know is right and are willing to be responsible," according to the ACA.

To maximize the camp experience for your children, there are several things that the ACA recommends that parents should consider when choosing a camp:    

Resident Camp

• Location of the camp
• Traditional or specialty
• Size of camp
• How rustic do I want the camp to be?
• How structured do I want the program to be?
• Is my child ready for an extended stay? .
• What session length will fit your family plans for the summer?
• How can I communicate with my child during camp?
• How will the camp meet my child's special dietary or physical needs?
• Tuition

Day Camp

• Staff training
• Is the price all-inclusive or are there extra charges for transportation, overnights, swimming lessons, food service, horseback riding, group pictures, t-shirts, extended care
  and field trips.
• Transportation to and from camp
• Does the camp have an "express bus" which transports children quickly?
• If before- and after-camp extended care is offered, who is with the children and what activities take place?
• Are meals, snacks and drinks provided?
• Does the camp offer swimming lessons?
• Are campers in a group with a counselor all day?
• Is an open house offered before camp starts?
• Are parents allowed to drop by for visits or is there a special parent visitation day?

In Pierce and Thurston County there are dozens of camps to meet the needs of most any child.  Below is a list of some local day and resident camps to consider.  Check the Web sites for more information and registration and tuition assistance deadlines.

Camps

Advantage Basketball Camps (www.advantagebasketball.com)

This day camp is designed to teach children age 7-18 basketball skills.  The camps are scheduled a locations including Orting High School, Orting, and Curtis High School, in University Place.  The cost of the camps is $195 for three days and $265 for five days with discounts given for early registration.  

Alpengirl Girls Summer Adventure Camp (www.alpengirl.com)

There are 7-14 day camps offered in Washington this year.  These camps are open to girls ages 11-15.  These camps are held in Olympic National Park rainforest, the Cascade Mountains, and the North Cascades National Park.  Activities include backpacking, sea kayaking, yoga, rock climbing, rafting and inflatable kayaking.  The cost of the camps ranges from $775 to $2170.

American Dance Training Camp (www.Americandancetrainingcamp.com)

American Dance offers day and resident camps for dancers age 8 to 17 of all skill levels.  During the camp, the dancers will learn jazz, hip-hop and musical theater dance moves.  The residential camp will be held at Pacific Lutheran University, and will include daily excursions that include a ride on the Mt. Rainier Scenic Railroad, horseback riding in Tiger Mountain State Forest, sea kayaking in Commencement Bay, a Point Defiance Zoo and Aquarium trip, a hike to Twin Falls, and a whale-watching trip.  The cost is $999 per child. Check out the Web site for discounts for multiple children and early registration.   

Camp Seymour (www.campseymour.org)

Located in Gig Harbor, this rural YMCA camp includes 160 wooded acres, a large playfield, a half mile of Puget Sound shoreline, outdoor heated pool, heated cabins with indoor bathrooms, high and low challenge courses, an archery range, court sports, marine education center, a climbing wall, and a living history center.  Camp programs are offered for children grades 2-12. The cost varies per camp.  Check the Web site for registration information, forms, and camp listings. 

Camp Smokey (www.campfireusaorca.org)

Celebrating its 100th year, Camp Smokey is a weeklong overnight camp for girls and boys entering grades 2-12, offering cookouts, hiking, creek floating, creative dramatics, swimming, games and crafts. 

Lawyer Milloy Overnight Commuter Camp (www.marcustrufant.org)

Started in 1983, this is a teaching football camp that includes three practices a day, in-depth instruction, lectures and demonstrations by Lawyer Milloy and members of the Seattle Seahawks. The cost varies based on the program in which your child participates.  Visit the Web site for information on camps based on age and experience levels. A payment plan is available.   

Pierce County Parks & Recreation (www.co.pierce.wa.us/pc/services/recreate/rec_camps.htm)

Pierce County Parks & Recreation offers a variety of camps for children of all ages, including specialty camps and camps for children with special needs. The camps include camps with sports, environmental, dance, music, art and physical activity themes.  For more information on camps check the Web site for the release of the spring and summer manual. 

Science Adventures (www.scienceadventures.com)

This full- and half-day camp for children in grades 1-6, gives children a chance to do hands-on experiments, compete in extreme sports challenges, build a detective kit and use forensics science. This year there will be four camps offered including: Mystery of the Pharaoh's Treasure during which children will decode hieroglyphics, perform chemistry experiments, erupt volcanoes, and grow a crystal garden; Go Wild a camp where children go on a mini beast safari, encounter live animals, build a microscope, binoculars, and a firefly; Gizmo's Robot Factory which allows children to build a robot and an LED flashlight and a Space and Rocketry camp.  Check the Web site for camp locations, discounts and registration information.      

Thurston County Parks & Recreation Sports Camps (http://www.co.thurston.wa.us/parks/Sports/sports.htm#SportsCamps}

Thurston County partners with the Skyhawks and Challenger Sports to offer children ages 4 to 14 youth sports training camps.  The camps are offered in several locations.  The camp activities include weeklong multi-sport or soccer camps in Tumwater, Yelm and Rochester/Grand Mound.