Kids now spend more time in front of cameras than ever. Throughout their day they pose for family photos, post friends on Instagram, or try to go viral on TikTok. Sharing photos on social media can be an easy way to meaningfully connect with others. But for a lot of young people, it creates new pressures that risk taking the fun out of being a kid.
Camp Friendship is a screen-free escape for kids and teens to really get in touch with themselves. That said, photos preserve incredibly special memories that both parents and campers will treasure long after that summer. How do we maintain that authentic in-the-moment environment while also providing parents high quality summer camp pictures through the Campanion App?
The secret is subtlety: our staff’s unobtrusive picture-taking strategies produce candid photos without spoiling the moment or making campers uncomfortable.
(Don’t) Say Cheese!
Our photographers work hard to authentically capture summer camp magic. The key is remaining as discreet as possible while taking photos. When campers are aware there are cameras during activities, it can pull their attention away from their experience. We don’t want to distract campers or make them feel like they have to perform for the cameras, especially when learning new skills. We want to photograph campers genuinely enjoying themselves. As a result, most of the moments we capture are unposed.
Campers can be their truest selves here; preserving that authenticity in a candid photo is priceless. Because of the nature of candid photos, campers might not always be looking directly at the camera and smiling. Instead, they might be zoned in on hitting the target in archery, winning an intense game of Capture the Flag, throwing the perfect mug at the pottery wheel, or weaving a complicated friendship bracelet. They’re all the more real because we don’t break their focus by asking for a posed photo.
That said, there are a few opportunities for staff to catch your camper smiling for the camera. Weekly cabin or village photos, as well as camp dances, provide opportunities for posed pictures of campers without interrupting their activities.
Keeping Camp Screen-Free
Our discreet camera usage also helps us stay tech-free for campers. There are many benefits to keeping camp technology-free, like helping campers connect with those around them without distractions. Were campers aware of the cameras, it might disrupt their tech-free experience. Worrying about how a certain photo came out is exactly the kind of stress they’re at camp to avoid.
Campers are encouraged to bring their own cameras to camp and capture memories through their own lens—as long as the camera doesn’t have a screen. Classic disposable film cameras are more than welcome (plus, they’re trendy now!), as are screen-free digital options. The key is keeping kids focused on what they’re doing and who they’re with, not how they look.
Will I See Photos of My Camper Daily?
Part of our effort to be subtle with photos and videos is capturing different activities day-to-day. That’s why we don’t guarantee that every single day we’ll have new photos of your camper. We do our best to capture photos of as many campers as possible, but our main goal is helping your child engage with activities, campers, and counselors rather than worry about if their photo is being taken.
We regularly upload photos of campers to CampInTouch and the Campanion App throughout their stay, so they’re the best places to check and see if there’s a new photo of your child in action!
What is the Campanion App?
Campanion is a mobile app designed with parents of campers in mind. It keeps summer camp pictures, updates, forms, and more all in one place for easy access right from your phone.
One of the app’s excellent features is Face Finder, a facial recognition tool that sorts through the hundreds of photos camp uploads daily. Simply upload a photo of your child before they arrive at camp, and it will create and continually update a personal folder with photos of your camper. Note that the app is unable to backdate pictures, so make sure you upload your child’s photo before they get here!
All photos from the day will still be available, organized by session on CampInTouch and the Campanion App. You are welcome to download and share photos of your camper at camp, but out of respect for privacy, we ask parents and guardians not to publicly post any photos of campers that aren’t their own.
Letting Shutterbugs Fly Free
We balance the desire for meaningful summer camp pictures with a camper’s technology-free experience through candid photos that don’t interrupt their activities. A picture is worth a thousand words, but your child’s memories of enjoying their time at camp are priceless!
