The Purpose-Driven Summer Camp

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An estimated 6 million U.S. kids will go to camp this summer, according to the National Camp Association, a referral service for the industry, packing off to one of about 10,000 different campuses (about two-thirds are sleepaway facilities). While some specialty camps, such as those focusing on tennis or music, have been around for a long time, they often catered to older kids who were already highly proficient and dedicated to their field. Lately, however, younger kids are going to camp for marine biology, drama, video production, computer games, fashion design, improved etiquette, community service and pedicure techniques. At traditional camps as well, kids are being allowed to select a few skills on which they'd like to concentrate during the day and to de-emphasize those they don't like. The laser-beam focus is fitting for the modern kid, contends Tina Krinsky, who with her husband runs Julian Krinsky Camps & Programs, based in the Philadelphia area. "For a child used to all kinds of technology, sitting by the lake just isn't enough anymore," she says. Her company offers a variety of programs, including camps specializing in tennis, golf, cooking and business. Krinsky argues that kids are so sophisticated that they know what they want to do at a much earlier age. "When kids get to us, they are so directed," she says, "we don't have to do anything to motivate them."

Today's camp curricula seem tailored to another aspect of modern childhood: short attention spans. Camper Lyons is still hoping for a film career, but, according to his mother Leslye Winkelman Lyons, he's interested in "10 other things as well," so this summer he plans to move on from stunt work and attend another of Pali Overnight Adventures' programs, this one in culinary arts, run by a former chef to the Saudi royal family. As he did last summer, Lyons will spend his mornings receiving special instruction and his afternoons participating in his choice of such activities as paintball and swimming. His mother says she appreciates his being able to do "kid" things while still reaping the expertise of professionals.

While Lyons is looking forward to being back in the mountains, he does not anticipate reconnecting with old friends. "I don't keep in touch with any of the other kids," he says. "I liked the counselors better." That may have to do with the fact that he spent only a week in the program, a stint that is becoming more and more common, according to experts. Unlike the old days, when many camps offered eight-week sessions, today kids tend to schedule shorter periods at different camps back-to-back in order to hone a variety of skills.