We gathered 75 of the most important summer camp statistics to help understand how the industry works. Recent shifts in youth development, mental health awareness, and post-pandemic education have transformed how summer camps operate in 2025. We took verified statistics from the American Camp Association (ACA) and other trusted organizations. We also used our over 42 years of summer camp experience and incorporated trusted data from academic research and industry studies. While many people view camps as just a summer activity, the data shows they’re critical for youth development and well-being. Let’s dive into the latest stats. In this guide, we’ll take a look at: Top Summer Camp Statistics Six months after their programs, students maintained significant growth in 5 key areas: self-awareness, sense of shared humanity, wonderment, openness to new experience and desire to impact others. (Rustic Pathways) 44.8% of summer camp students showed increased desire to positively impact others’ lives. (Rustic Pathways) 75% of employers have positive impressions of applicants with summer camp jobs on their resumes. (Richmond et al. 2020) Three years after attending summer camp, affinity for nature and willingness to try new things persists. (Spielvogel, Warner, & Sibthorp, 2022) Over 26 million children and adults participate in camp experiences annually. (ACA) Only 12% of American children attend summer camp. (ACA) 33% of parents report increased independence in their children after the summer camp program. (Rustic Pathways) 80% of summer camp parents report incomes above the U.S. national median of $63,179. (Spielvogel, Warner, & Sibthorp, 2022) 76% of campers report learning something new. (Thurber et al., 2007) 86% of summer camp staff report feeling more willing to accept or include others who are different from themselves. (Garst et al., 2009) 41% of parents budget $1,000 or less for summer camp, while only 4% budget $5,000 or more. (Summer Camp Hub) Lower-income children are nearly half as likely to participate in summer programs compared to higher-income children (38% vs 67%). (Gallup) Camper Demographics Statistics 45% of U.S. children lack summer learning opportunities. (Gallup) Lower-income children are much less likely to participate in summer programs compared to upper-income children (38% vs. 67%). (Gallup) 46% of parents report difficulty affording summer camp. (Summer Camp Hub) Cost is the primary barrier for 32% of parents. (Gallup) 42% of parents cite cost as the single most important barrier; 66% rank it among the top three barriers. (Gallup) 80% of summer camp parents reported incomes above the U.S. national median of $63,179. (Spielvogel, Warner, & Sibthorp, 2022) Black, Asian, and low-income children participate less in summer camp. (Spielvogel, Warner, & Sibthorp, 2022) Parents prioritize logistics (avoiding scheduling conflicts), money, program quality, hours of operation, child fit, institutional ties, and social connections when choosing a camp. (Spielvogel, Warner, & Sibthorp, 2022) 41% of parents budget $1,000 or less for summer camp, while only 4% budget $5,000 or more. (Summer Camp Hub) Budget Amount Percentage of Parents $1,000 41% $2,000 28% $3,000 22% $4,000 5% $5,000 or higher 4% Data from Summer Camp Hub Camp Industry Operations Statistics The average cost of running a camp for 1 year is between $750,000 – $1 million. (Regpacks) Only 5% of camps had fewer than 99 campers, while 21% of camps served over 1,000 campers. (ACA) The most popular session length for camps is one week or less. (ACA) 11% of kids attend overnight camps. (Gallup) Two weeks is the most common length for overnight camps at 47%, followed by one-week sessions at 32%. (Summer Camp Hub) Local day camps make up 22% of summer activities, making them the most common type. (Gallup) Camper Long-Term Impact and Skill Development Statistics Three years after attending summer camp, increases in affinity for nature and willingness to try new things persists. (Spielvogel, Warner, & Sibthorp, 2022) Camps develop independence, perseverance, openness to new experiences, self-identity, appreciation for differences and mindfulness. (Warner et al., 2021) 60% of summer camp alumni report camp helped develop independence, teamwork, self-efficacy, leadership, and communication. (Richmond, Sibthorp, & Wilson, 2019) High-quality summer camp experiences result in better academic experiences the following year. (Spielvogel, Warner, & Sibthorp, 2022) The teamwork experience at camp is transferable to academic and workplace settings. (Wilson & Sibthorp, 2018) Camp participants developed empathy, humility, and altruism, often through mentoring younger campers. (Martin, 2018) Experiential learning in summer camps enhances decision-making, team-building, and taking initiative. (Martin, 2018) Families report six-month post-camp increases in social skills, independence, and self-image. (Thurber et al., 2007) Campers apply skills learned at camp in school, extracurricular activities and community service projects. (Martin, 2014) Camper Benefits and Growth Statistics 76% of campers report learning something new. (Thurber et al., 2007) Living with peers helps campers develop responsibility, relationship and conflict management skills. (Wilson & Sibthorp, 2018) 75% of children and 69% of parents agree “Camp helped make new friends.” (Thurber et al., 2007) 70% of parents of campers indicate their children showed heightened self-esteem. (Thurber et al., 2007) 69% of children and 58% of parents report camp helped them get to know kids who are different from them. (Bialeschki et al., 2007) 71% of campers cite specific skill improvements. (Thurber et al., 2007) Residential summer camps provide more opportunities for social interaction, improving friendship skills and perceived competence. (Bennett, 2019) Near-peer mentors at camp increase a sense of belonging and identity. (Trujillo et al, 2015) Girls who attend all-girl camps show increased confidence and independence and ability to work well with others. (Whittington et al., 2017) 58% of campers say it helped them appreciate being present in the moment. (Olsen et al., 2018) 57% of campers cite the camp atmosphere as the most beneficial element with 27% of campers referencing relationships with camp staff. (Roth & Brooks-Gunn, 2003) Camp experience improved ability to work through disagreements (Bialeschki et al., 2007) Summer Camp Staff Statistics 75% of employers have positive impressions of applicants with summer camp on their resumes. (Richmond et al. 2020) Summer camp jobs provide higher levels of belonging, engagement and experiential learning compared to school or other early-life work. (Spielvogel, Warner, & Sibthorp, 2022) 89.4% of camp leadership is white and 63.9% is female. (Botting, Ribbe Jr, & Robinson, 2021) 86% of summer camp staff report feeling more willing to accept others who are different from themselves. (Garst et al., 2009) 25% of camp staff report increased likelihood to change career path because of camp experience. (Garst et al., 2009) 54.4% of summer camp staff saw significant improvement in teamwork. (Botting, Ribbe Jr, & Robinson, 2021) 48.3% of summer camp staff showed improved resilience. (Botting, Ribbe Jr, & Robinson, 2021) 45.9% of summer camp staff showed improvement in leadership. (Botting, Ribbe Jr, & Robinson, 2021) 70.7% of camp counselors attended camp as campers. (Botting, Ribbe Jr, & Robinson, 2021) What Do These Statistics Mean? Here are my top four takeaways from analyzing the summer camp statistics and numbers. Take 1: Access Inequality is a Major Issue Despite the clear benefits of summer camp, there’s a significant access gap. With 45% of U.S. children lacking summer learning opportunities and lower-income children being much less likely to participate (38% vs 67%), camp remains largely a privilege of higher-income families. The fact that 80% of camp parents report above-median incomes, combined with 46% of parents reporting difficulty affording camp, indicates a serious accessibility problem. This isn’t just about money – it’s about missing crucial developmental opportunities. We must collectively figure out an affordable way to deliver these experiences to students. >>>READ MORE: How Much Does Summer Camp Cost? Take 2: The Return on Investment is Clear The data shows camp benefits extend far beyond just summer fun; benefits persist years after attending camp. Months later, students report significant maturity and personal growth. With 60% of alumni reporting improved independence, teamwork, and leadership skills, and high-quality camp experiences leading to better academic performance, camps prove to be a powerful investment in a child’s future. >>>EXPLORE: Rustic Pathways Student Programs Take 3: Staff Development is Undervalued The statistics reveal a “double benefit” – camps don’t just develop children, they develop future leaders. With 48.3% of staff showing improved resilience, 54.4% seeing better teamwork skills, and 25% changing their career paths due to camp, the staff development aspect of camps represents a significant but often overlooked value proposition. This suggests summer camps serve as informal leadership academies for young adults. >>>READ MORE: Summer Camp Counselor Jobs Take 4: Shorter Sessions Dominate Despite Long-Term Benefits While one-week sessions dominate the industry with 47% of camps offering them, our data shows the strongest developmental outcomes coming from longer stays. The disconnect between what camps offer (short sessions), what parents can afford without scholarships (shorter sessions) and what appears most effective (longer sessions). This reflects a tension between market demands and optimal impact and raises questions about how camps can balance family scheduling needs with maximizing developmental benefits. >>>READ MORE: Summer Camp for Teens Guide Final Thoughts Looking at reliable summer camp statistics reveals both the value of camps and the challenges they face in 2025. The data shows camps deliver powerful, lasting benefits in independence, teamwork, and leadership, and character development while facing significant accessibility barriers that limit their reach to many families. With camps generating billions in revenue and employers increasingly valuing camp experience, the industry appears poised for continued growth – if it can successfully address the access gap between high and low-income families.