district offers traditional summer camps with no specific focus, giving kids a chance to make friends, try new things and be around positive role models. Looking back on their own childhood, many adults have fond memories of summer camp. Nearly half of American adults (44%) have attended sleepaway summer camp, according to a YouGov poll, with most saying they had a positive or very positive experience. Some of their best memories from summer camp include swimming, going on nature hikes and doing arts and crafts. No matter what they loved most, attending summer camp is something that sticks with people. Half of Americans who have attended a sleepaway camp say their experience influenced the person they are today a great deal (18%) or a fair amount (32%). Most former campers say the experience helped them build their self-confidence and improve their social skills. Roughly a third of them now send their own kids to sleepaway camp. Whether it’s a sleepaway camp states away or a daytime STEM camp at the local school, summer camps are built on shared experiences and little details that turn a week in the summer into something kids talk about all year. For many families, it isn’t just a calendar filler between school years but a rite of passage. That’s why promotional products belong in summer camp settings of all kinds. They capture the spirit of camp and give families something tangible to remember it by. PPAI remembers the communities, including Camp Mystic, devastated by the historic flooding in Central Texas last July. In addition to several suppliers with a presence in the region contributing to relief efforts, PPAI staff donated $1,000 and multiple boxes filled with cleaning supplies, hygiene products, clothing, food and other essentials. Promo That Helps More Families Say Yes Summer camp may be full of friendship bracelets and campfire songs, but the price tag isn’t so nostalgic. Nearly half of parents (46%) say they struggle to afford summer camp, and 17% admit they’re willing to take on debt just to make it work. Last year, 1 in 4 parents spent more than $2,000 per child on camp fees, and 1 in 5 said they couldn’t pull it off without help from family. When parents are looking at the costs, summer camps can get creative about how they communicate value. Promotional campaigns can highlight scholarships or payment plans, or promo items in welcome kits can reinforce what families are getting for their investment. Seizing A 25-Million-Kid Opportunity About 30 million U.S. children participate in structured summer programs like summer camp, but that number could be much higher. With an estimated 55 million school-aged kids in the U.S., about 25 million children may not be participating at all. That means summer camps have an opportunity to reach them with promotional products. Branded items like backpacks handed out at school events or water bottles given at community events put camps directly in front of families who may not even realize their options. Bring On More Fun With Promo When it comes to what parents want out of their kids’ summer camp, a fun time rises to the top of the list. In its Summer Camp Survey, the Boys & Girls Clubs of America found that kids having a fun time is the most important priority for parents, followed by a great learning experience. Custom gear, like beach towels or sunglasses, turn camp activities into playful, memorable moments that kids love being a part of. Stay Trendy, Stay Memorable Summer camps can feel fresh and fun this year by incorporating the latest trends into programming. Those trends, according to the American Camp Association, include soccer, chess, matcha, K-Pop and the World Cup. Items like custom tumblers for iced matcha or World Cup-themed water bottles create happy campers and lasting memories. The Summer Camp Effect Summer camp doesn’t just create meaningful memories — it shapes who kids become as they grow up. Research shows that six months after camp, children still demonstrate meaningful growth in areas like selfawareness, openness to new experiences, wonderment and a stronger sense of shared humanity. Thoughtful promotional products help reinforce that growth by giving campers tangible reminders of what they learned. Promo like branded journals, water bottles or backpacks they carry into everyday life keep that camp-time curiosity and connection going. 46% Struggle to afford summer camp, 17% Willing to take on debt just to make it work. 30% U.S. children participate in summer programs like summer camp. Summer camp doesn’t just create meaningful memories — it shapes who kids become as they grow up. PPAI • MARCH 2026 • 53 | Must Read
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy NzU4OQ==