How can parents count the ways children grow and flourish at camp? Friends? New skills? Displays of self-confidence? Steps toward independence and thoughtfulness?

Philliber Research Associates teaming with the American Camp Association has just released the results of a landmark study that demonstrate the gains are remarkable - over 5,000 parents, children, and camp staff are readjusting their measuring sticks-growth in positive identity, social skills, physical and thinking skills, as well as the important areas of positive values and spirituality go hand-in-hand with the camp experience.

According to Peg Smith, chief executive officer of the American Camp Association, outcomes are all about research and responsibility. "These concepts of independence and discovery come into play every day as we look at ways to enhance the growth and discovery process in youth. Our research demonstrates unequivocally that with the idea behind camp and the thousands of individuals who support children in these experiences, we are unmistakably on the right track. One of the truly exciting aspects of this research is these measurable gains continue after camp ends, and the researchers confirm that length of camp session isn't a determining factor - it's camp itself," says Smith.

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