For 107 years, the camp has been a retreat for kids and adults looking for ways to relax, commune with nature, make new friends, challenge themselves and learn new things.
And these things have become even more important in today’s multimedia world, according to Summer Camp Director Sean Klein.
“Camp is great,” Klein said. “It’s one of the last places that a kid can still unplug and just be a kid. Where they can learn to communicate without a screen in front of them.
“As video games, computers and phones continue to evolve, it’s going to be a dying art of making a friend by just sitting down and having a conversation and figuring out what things you have in common. I think it’s a great opportunity for kids to still learn those skills where it’s difficult to find that anywhere else.”
Camp Kern takes on as many as 2,000 campers in the summer months with week-long stays filled traditional camp activities such as climbing, swimming, archery, canoeing, kayaking, riflery, sports, drama and team games like capture the flag. More modern activities include digital photography and radio.
For horse lovers, Camp Kern offers day and week-long Circle K Ranch Camp for beginning through advanced riders.
Summer camp is not the only thing that happens a Camp Kern. About 35,000 visitors fill the facilities each year for corporate retreats and outdoor education programs, according to Klein.
“We have three seasonal camps: Halloween Camp, Winter Camp and Spring Camp, which are ways to get acclimated to camp before diving head first into a full Summer Camp experience,” Klein said.
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When asked about kids who have never been to camp, Klein said: “If they’ve never been to camp and they want to try something we have one overnight a month called Kids night out. They come out on Friday and stay until Saturday.”
Learn more about Camp Kern on its website or on Facebook.
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