How Climate Change Is Redefining Outdoor Play at America’s Summer Camps

The sizzling summer sun that once brought carefree days of outdoor play for generations of children now poses uncertainty and danger to America’s summer camps. As the climate continues to shift, these institutions are being forced to adapt – sometimes literally at the last minute – to keep their young charges safe from extreme weather events.

Anna Ellena-Rosenau, director of Mountain Meadow Ranch Summer Camp in California, recalls summers past when her grandfather founded the camp 70 years ago. The Sierra Nevada Mountains provided a haven from sweltering heat, with mild temperatures that allowed campers to enjoy the great outdoors without worrying about sunburn or dehydration. Those days are gone – replaced by scorching heatwaves and smoke-filled skies that have become all too common.

Summer camps across the United States struggle to balance their core mission of outdoor play with the harsh realities of a warming world. According to Henry DeHart, CEO of the American Camp Association (ACA), extreme weather events – such as wildfires, record-breaking temperatures, and stronger summer storms – are increasingly forcing camps to rethink their plans.

The new normal for summer camps is one of uncertainty and danger. Human-induced climate change is accelerating this trend, making it imperative that camps adapt quickly. DeHart noted, “Kids need these experiences more than ever,” but they’re also facing unprecedented risks from extreme weather events.

For camps like Brown Ledge in Vermont, adapting to these new conditions requires a multi-faceted approach. Director Brooks Johnson has had to navigate not just the heat but also intense flooding, which killed 28 people – including 25 campers – at Camp Mystic in Texas last summer. The incident sent shockwaves through the community, with parents demanding greater transparency and safety measures.

ACA-accredited camps like Mountain Meadow and Brown Ledge are expected to have robust plans in place for extreme weather events. This includes coordinating with local officials on evacuation areas, ensuring buildings are storm-ready, and implementing contingency plans when conditions deteriorate rapidly. However, these efforts often involve difficult trade-offs: shortening activity periods or shifting from land-based activities to aquatic ones can be necessary but may also undermine the very essence of summer camp – providing an immersive outdoor experience for young minds.

As America’s summer camps grapple with the challenges posed by climate change, they’re forced to confront a harsh reality: their traditional business model is under threat. With increasingly unpredictable weather patterns and rising costs associated with mitigating these risks, some camps may find it hard to stay afloat.

Yet, in this crisis lies an opportunity for innovation and resilience. By embracing the challenges posed by climate change, summer camps can not only survive but thrive – as institutions that are responsive to the needs of their communities and adaptable to the shifting landscape of our planet.

As policymakers, parents, and camp administrators come together, it’s time to invest in climate-resilient infrastructure, provide support for camps struggling with rising costs, and promote education on environmental sustainability. By doing so, we can help ensure that these institutions continue to thrive – and inspire a new wave of young leaders who are equipped to tackle the challenges of our changing world.

As the sun sets over the summer camp grounds, casting long shadows across the landscape, one thing is clear: America’s summer camps will never be the same again.