600 days of summer
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It’s all about kids today
We're thinking about using a new anchor number in our camp messaging:
600
That's roughly how many summer days a kid gets in their entire childhood.
The math?
Kids typically go to camp from ages 8 to 15.
About eight summers. Each summer is roughly 75 days → mid-June through late August.
75 days × 8 summers = 600 days.
That's a little over two years of summer total.
600 days to jump in a lake, play Gaga, sing corny campfire songs, hike in an awesome circle, make friends.
None of it is once-in-a-lifetime stuff, but it all has a different kind of meaning once adulthood comes creeping in.
Really feel like this number is going to land. But I’d be lying if I said I’m not 100% sure.
Why We Think 600 Works
Summer Matters is a tagline we’ve been using lately with camp messages. Name of our newsletter. Social media. Talking to parents. It fits what we’re trying to do at camp.
But “Summer Matters” is abstract.
600 makes it concrete. Finite. Countable.
Creates urgency without being manipulative. Parents already might feel time slipping away. This just names it.
The number does a few things:
Makes summer feel precious. Because it is.
Implies scarcity without saying “hurry up.”
Positions camp as the best use of those days, not just a fun option.
Compare to how we usually talk about summer:
“Make memories” is vague.
“Give them an amazing summer” is nice, but no real stakes.
“Only X spots left” is transactional scarcity.
600 is a bit different. It’s got nothing to do with bunk spots filling up. But is more about time running out. For everyone, equally.
And the emotional weight is real:
Only 600 mornings waking up as a kid in summer.
Only 600 days when the world feels wide open.
Only 600 chances to create nostalgia before nostalgia timelines run out.
That’s the pitch. Camp is the place to spend those days.
Honestly, it’s not really a pitch. Just kinda true. And if you rock with camp as much as we do (and I think you do if you’re reading this), then you know there’s no better way to spend summer.
The Guilt Factor (We’re Thinking About It)
But I’m wrestling a bit with whether it creates too much pressure.
If we say “600 days and camp is the best way to spend them,” what about families who can’t afford camp? Or choose not to?
Does it accidentally make people feel bad for not sending kids to camp?
That’s not the goal. Never the goal.
But urgency always risks guilt. That’s the trade-off.
A few ways we’re thinking about this:
Frame it as an invitation, not judgment.
✅ ”Here’s what camp offers during those 600 days”
❌ ”You’re wasting summer if you don’t send them.”
Acknowledge other good uses of summer with something like
“Camp, family trips, or time in the backyard. Just make those 600 days freaking count.”
Position camp as one awesome option, not the only option.
But also: if we believe camp is genuinely the best use of those days (and we def do) shouldn’t we say that?
Isn’t that just confidence in what we offer?
This is where we’re not totally sure.
Some people will love this framing. Some will hate it.
We’re trying it anyway because the number feels powerful. Because summer does matter. Because 600 days isn’t that many.
We Want Your Take
So here’s the ask: what do you think?
Does 600 land for you?
Does it feel urgent without being guilt-trippy?
Would you use this in your marketing?
Or does it feel like too much pressure on parents?
We’re genuinely experimenting here. This isn’t tested messaging. It’s something we’re thinking about, and trying because it feels different, but kinda correct.
But we could be wrong.
And honestly, the best group to pressure-test this with is camp pros. You know parents. You know what lands and what backfires.
So hit me back with your gut:
Thoughts on 600 Days of Summer?
Would you use it? Why or why not?
Did we even get the math right?
Would love to know because summer matters and there’s only so much of it.
You got this,
Jack
PS - Only a few days left for Write for Camp Early Bird Pricing. Save $250!
BIG PPS!!! - Camp Idol is happening at Tri-State on March 10th!
Think karaoke meets camp talent show with a live backing band. Camp pros performing for camp pros at The Royce Social Hall in the Tropicana, 8:45-11:45 PM.
Free to attend. Competition with prizes. Plus bowling, ping pong, and a 50/50 raffle for SCOPE.
Want to perform? Apply here by January 10th. Check out the karaoke song list or request your own.
Want to help run Camp Idol or Campchella? We need a few people behind the scenes. Let us know here.
Come hang with the camp community. Even if you don’t perform, it’s going to be a blast.
Get my newsletter every week.
It’s all about kids today
Jack Schott
Summer Camp Evangelist