There’s no better feeling than hanging out, listening to music and playing games all night with your new best friends after a long day at an overnight summer camp. Teenagers like freshman Core Headly can agree, 

“Every summer I’ve loved getting to hang out with my friends and I have learned a lot of new and different life skills from camps that I might have not learned if I didn’t go to them.” Headley said.

Annually, around 30 million teenagers worldwide attend a summer camp, according to the American Camp Association. Students travel all around the world to find the best summer experience.

Overnight camps can range from a week long to an entire summer. No matter the distance or length of the stay, these camps foster an environment that allows students to make memories, meet new people and try things they wouldn’t have thought to. 

 The summer before my sixth grade year, I went to a week-long stay-away camp in Wisconsin called Phantom Lake. I have gone with my best friend, freshman Lia Kalaway, ever since, and each year always feels better than the last. 

Participating in an overnight camp without technology or access to the outside world has been an eye opening experience for myself and many others. 

Phantom Lake, along with many other camps, has a way of bringing people together who might not have otherwise crossed paths. In my five years of attending, I’ve met people from nearly every state, and even some from out of the country. 

Evelyn Sheahorn, one of my closest friends from camp, lives in Chicago. For three summers now, her and I have made unforgettable memories together at these camps.  

During our most recent week together, we were both placed in a boating activity with no clue as to what we were doing. Every day that week, a staff member had to pull us back to shore. And although it didn’t seem as fun at the moment, I can look back and realize how memorable my weeks with her at camp were. 

I am beyond thankful for Phantom Lake giving me the opportunity to meet so many amazing people, some of which who have become my closest friends

My next favorite thing, after meeting new people, are the experiences and different activities camp offers; it is what makes my week more enjoyable and entertaining. 

While some overnight camps may be specific to one type of activity such as sports or fine arts, others give kids a wide variety of options to stay entertained and have fun with their friends at camp.

 For example, as an activity during free time, my camp offered a high ropes course. I’ve gone a few times over the past few summers and it’s always a memorable experience. 

In the week I attend camp, I learn and try so many new things every day. Last year, I not only learned so much about myself, but also about others and how to effectively communicate and work with different types of people.

While the overall purpose and experience of the camps have remained relatively similar to previous years, the costs have not. 

Illinois is ranked somewhere in the middle when it comes to the average price of overnight camps at $1240.25 per week, according to the American Camp Association, which is slightly below the national average of $1,256.56 per week. 

In 2024, camps increased their prices by 23%, since the previous year, on top of prices increasing by 25% in 2022. 

Meaning, overnight camp costs increased by nearly 50% in just two years.

“The prices are definitely higher than other types of camps, but I think it’s worth it because we are getting more activities than day campers,” freshman Zoe Teich, who attends camp Eberhart in three rivers Michigan, said. “We are getting access to food, we have places to sleep and we have more counselors which they have to pay.” 

After months of the sign-up process with payments and waivers, many parents who send their children to summer camp still wonder what they are signing their kids up for. While they know it’s probably a beneficial experience, parents question if the money they are spending will be worth it.

 Erin Kalaway, mother of two prospect students and a St. Viator student, who have all gone to overnight summer camps throughout their youth, mentioned that the price for camp has gone up slightly each year, due to new laws requiring summer camps to increase their staff members working each day. 

This law was established on Sept. 24, 2023, and states that, “During camp operation the adult camp staff to camper ratio shall be as required pursuant to s. ATCP Table 78.25.” Which overall means that camps require more staff members to be watching the campers. As a result, the current price for Phantom Lake is around $1,000 for 6 days.

 “Although it may seem like a lot, I do think it’s worth it, because everything is included,” Kalaway said. “all for about $167 per day.”

One of Erin Kalaway’s favorite bonuses of summer camp, although controversial, is the separation from technology.  

“I think summer camp is a great way for kids to step outside their normal routine and comfort zone, meet new people and have an adventure,” Kalaway said. “Plus, one of my favorite features of camp is the opportunity for my kids to unplug from phones and electronics.” 

As myself and many other people I’ve met at camp can agree with, one of the biggest fears of camp is being left out from your life at home and what new things are happening around the world. 

Although during the camp day, myself and others who I’ve attended camp with, have admitted to not missing our phones, the thought of what our friends are doing back at home always lingers. But it usually isn’t the fear of missing out (FOMO) that hits during camp, it’s when you start hearing about everything that happened on your way back home from camp. 

Once parents start to arrive to pick up their kids and everyone is happy to get their phones back, the excitement turns into confusion and FOMO. 

For example, last summer, once I had gotten back from camp in early August, I was quickly confronted with Lollapalooza. 

So many of my friends had gone and were going again the next and last day, which I was so sad to hear about considering so many of the artists I listened to while at camp were performing. Although I was happy for my friends getting to go, I still wish I could’ve had the opportunity to go experience the shows with them.

Ultimately, overnight summer camps have remained a staple for summer activities for kids and teens around the world. Despite the differences in cost, locations and specialties, the main focus of camps always remains the same:creating amazing summer experiences for the youth.

“I think going to camp has helped my kids gain independence, confidence and a new perspective outside of their normal daily routine.” Kalaway said.

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Never miss important news: every Monday, get a preview of what’s going on this week at Prospect, and what went down last week. To sign up for the Knight Notes newsletter, click here.