This document provides an analysis of the camp industry background in the United States. It notes that there are approximately 12,000 total camps, with 7,000 being resident camps and 5,000 being day camps. The number of day camps has grown by nearly 90% over the past 20 years. Most camps report enrollment staying the same or increasing in the past five years. Camps employ over 1.2 million adults in various roles. The target market for camps is mostly children and teens, though some allow adult volunteers. Competition in Florida includes 438 registered camps, though none reported being overnight in Pinellas County. Strengths include high summer demand, while weaknesses include space and funds needed for facilities. Opportunities include better

1. Industry Background/Analysis
Jesse Carvalho

2. Industry Analysis/Company
Background
• Of the estimated 12,000 camps in the
U.S., approximately 7,000 are resident
camps and 5,000 are day camps.
• 15% of ACA(American Camp
Association)-accredited camps offer
both day and resident camps.
• The number of day camps in the U.S.
has grown by nearly 90% in the past
20 years.

3. Industry Analysis/Company
Background
 65% of camps report enrollment that
stayed the same or increased within
the past five years, while 10% of
camps reached capacity level and 35%
of camps are reportedly 90-99% full
 Camps employ more than 1,200,000
adults to work as counselors,
program/activity leaders, unit and
program directors/supervisors, and in
support services roles such as
maintenance, administration, food
service and health care.

4. Target Market
• Niche? Computers are now used not only for camp
registration and financial records, but also for
program scheduling and client data. Use of the
Internet as a marketing tool continues to increase.
ACA's Web site receives an average of over 120,000
visits a month and an average of 4,000 visits daily. Of
the approximately 2,400 ACA-accredited camps, 79%
have their own Web site.
• We target children and teens mostly.
• We are not serving adults, unless they have
background checks and want to contribute to camp.
• To me, the program presents the chance to free
myself from childhood and take steps into adulthood.
I can become a more influential person in society
through teaching and being a role model.
— Adam, age fourteen
http://www.campparents.org/newsletter/1103/after-
the-deluge

5. Competition
• 438 camps registered in Florida
• There is no camps reported to be
overnight in the Pinellas county
• A lot of the camps are concentrated in
just one or a few different activities or
trainings
• The camps don’t mention any kind of
food menu.
• Some of these camps don’t have
websites.

6. SWOT
Strengths
• High demands in the summer time
• Make the prices competitive
• Fun, family oriented niche market
Weaknesses
• The number of camps in area
• Space needed for facilities, the funds to build.
• Will parents buy the membership?

7. SWOT
Opportunity
• Better marketing/advertising
• Know a few people in the industry
• Target all ages
Threats
• Already established camps, have loyal
customer base.
• Other establishments take my ideas and steal
the overnight camping idea.

8. References
Wallace, S. (2011). After the deluge — letters from
my campers. Retrieved from
http://www.campparents.org/newsletter/1103/after-
the-deluge