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The Most Popular Summer Camp Activity

The Most Popular Summer Camp Activity

Monday, October 02, 2023

Summer camp is a rite of passage for many teens. As they transition from childhood to adulthood, the summer camp experience provides the perfect opportunity for adventure, exploration, and creating lifelong memories. But with the myriad of camp offerings available, which activity rises to the top of teens’ lists? Based on surveys and participation rates, outdoor adventure camps are hands down the most popular summer camp choice among today’s teens.

Outdoor Adventure: The Top Summer Camp Activity for Teens

Why Outdoor Adventure Camps Are So Popular

Outdoor adventure camps allow teens to push their limits in an exciting, supportive environment. Activities like backpacking, kayaking, rock climbing, and whitewater rafting provide an adrenaline rush and a sense of accomplishment as teens master new skills. 

Exploring stunning natural landscapes also enables teens to appreciate the beauty of the outdoors. Unplugging from technology to connect deeply with nature has numerous benefits too, like reduced stress, improved focus, and better sleep. Teens return home with renewed creativity and energy.

Learning wilderness skills like orienteering, first aid, and campfire cooking gives teens a sense of independence and self-confidence. Teens also gain an appreciation for environmental conservation and stewardship through these experiences. Outdoor excursions build strong social bonds and shared stories that teens will reminisce about for years.

Other Great Camp Options for Teens

While outdoor adventure may top the charts in popularity, today’s teens have endless camp options to choose from based on their interests and goals:

  • Academic camps allow teens to learn more about science, tech, engineering, arts and more. From coding camps to debate teams, there’s an academic camp for every teen’s inner genius.
  • Sports camps enable teen athletes to take their game to the next level through specialized coaching in their sport of choice, like soccer, basketball, lacrosse or tennis.
  • Leadership camps challenge teens to problem solve collaboratively and think on their feet through group challenges and games. They build critical communication and teamwork skills.
  • Community service camps provide the opportunity for teens to give back through volunteer work like building homes, restoring nature trails and working in food banks.

Choosing the Right Camp

With endless options available, how do teens pick the best camp for an amazing summer? Here are a few key considerations:

  • Interests – Find a camp that aligns with your teen’s hobbies, values and skills they want to develop.
  • Social experience – Overnight camps with shared living spaces build lifelong friendships. Bonding as a cohort through exciting pursuits creates shared stories and a strong sense of community.
  • Personal growth – Look for camps that will push teens out of their comfort zone, teach new skills and build confidence.
  • Safe environment – Ensure the camp has safety protocols and well-trained staff, especially for high adventure activities.

At the end of the summer, teens will return home with incredible memories, feeling empowered to take on new challenges. The self-discovery and growth teens experience at camp gives them an unforgettable adventure.

Created for Adventure is a faith-based organization that offers adventure trips for teenagers aged 13-18 years old. The adventure trips take place in various locations, including Alaska, Hawaii, Colorado, Yellowstone, and the Tetons. 

These trips are designed to be life-changing adventures for the participants. Our website provides detailed information about the trips, their dates and rates, safety measures, and other frequently asked questions

Additionally, there are resources for new and registered families, including travel information and an adventure blog. Testimonials from parents of previous campers are also featured here, providing insights into campers’ experiences. We can be contacted by phone at 828-435-0627 or email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Reach out to us to learn more!