Yoyojoe – Born To Camp

I made a status update a couple of weeks ago on Facebook about this article and the comments that it generated.

I got some good response from friends and collegues alike.  The topic of summer camp and costs is one that generates lots of passion and debate.  Here are some additional points that I have thought of over the course of the evening.

• First off, I am a huge believer in the power of camp and it is my belief that every child should have the opportunity to spend time at camp every summer.  I grew up going to camp for one week each summer and it had a tremendous affect on me and who I am.  Camp changed lives.
• With that said – camping seems to be becoming a class issue – many camps, private and not-for-profit, are pricing the summer camp experience to be available to only the upper class – this becomes the same with camp wages – many of the staff have families that can afford to subsidize their kids employment. The issue is thought about but it seems only in the dark recesses of the minds of some camping people and many want to keep it away from the public’s thoughts.
• The camping industry in Ontario does employ many young people for summer jobs.  The camping industry in Ontario also is granted many exemptions from labour laws and workplace safety insurance.  Do parents of young people going off to camp understand that camping is an industry in which it is optional to pay WSIB?  Young workers at camp are not covered unless the camp pays into the workplace safety insurance – the other option is to sue the camp for the ongoing cost of an injury – many camps carry this under their insurance – but what staff parent, who may also be an alumni, will sue the place they love?
• The second exemption has to do with minimum wage – we, as camps, are granted an exemption from paying minimum wage and we greatly appreciate it.  The one question that I have never gotten a substansive answer to is, "Why do private camps charge so much more and pay less than many non-profit camps?"

Then today I come across this article from Camp Business magazine.  I love reading what Gary Forester has to say and really get a lot out of his insight.

It is always important to examine why we do what we do and how we do it.  If we don’t do that – how will we grow.