Dr. Michelle Gacio Harrolle and Dr. Samantha Rozier-Rich of the Department of Parks, Recreation & Tourism Management at NC State University are leading the research. The study is collecting and tabulating the local economic activity of summer camps’ direct impact, as well as that of their employees and camper families who visit the area each summer. A final report will be presented in January 2011.
“We are confident the study will confirm what most business and community leaders already know: summer camps are vital to the economy of Western North Carolina. We want to provide actual data as evidence to community leaders, business leaders and elected officials,” said Chuck McGrady, Executive Director of the North Carolina Youth Camp Association.
Western North Carolina has one of the highest concentrations of organized camps in the United States. Erica Rohrbacher, the American Camp Association’s Southeastern Section Executive Director noted that this study will be invaluable to the camp community “There are approximately 55 summer camps in the four county area and we hope to get all of them to participate.”
The American Camp Association works to preserve, promote, and enhance the camp experience for children and adults. This is accomplished through the only nationwide accreditation program, through professional development, and through public awareness programs and public policy monitoring. ACA-accredited camp programs ensure children are provided with a diversity of educational and developmentally challenging learning opportunities. There are over 2,400 ACAaccredited camps that meet up to 300 health and safety standards nationwide.
The North Carolina Youth Camp Association is a trade association formed by North Carolina summer camps to expand public understanding of youth camps and to represent their interests with local, state and federal policymakers. The Association seeks to strengthen and expand the educational, environmental and recreational opportunities provided by North Carolina’s camps.
Contact:
Chuck McGrady (828) 692-3696
chuck@ncamps.org
Erica Rohrbacher (919) 402-4336
Erica@acasoutheastern.org

