As families across Virginia rethink how children spend their summers, new parent survey data reveals a clear shift in priorities. Rather than packed schedules or screen-based enrichment, many children are most excited about outdoor, hands-on experiences that allow them to move, explore, and reconnect with the natural world.
To better understand what families are seeking, VirginiaSummerCamp.com conducted a statewide parent survey focused on summer preferences, camp types, and planning behavior. The findings below offer a snapshot of how Virginia families are approaching summer—and what matters most right now.
When parents were asked which type of summer experience their child is most excited about, responses showed a strong preference for time outdoors:
Percentages rounded.
Interest in outdoor and nature-based experiences was reported across all major camp formats, including:
Outdoor elements influenced parent decision-making regardless of camp length or structure.
Parents consistently identified the following factors as important when choosing summer programs:
Survey responses indicate that families are:
These survey findings inform:
This data does not rank, rate, or endorse individual camps or programs.
If referencing these findings, please use the following attribution:
Source: VirginiaSummerCamp.com Parent Survey, 2025.
For media or data-related inquiries, please contact:
hello@virginiasummercamp.com
While this survey reflects parent-reported preferences, its findings align with broader research on children’s development and well-being.
Pediatric guidance from the American Academy of Pediatrics emphasizes the importance of balancing screen use with physical activity, outdoor play, and real-world social interaction.
Research compiled by the Children & Nature Network highlights the cognitive, physical, and emotional benefits of regular outdoor experiences for children, including improved focus, resilience, and social skills.
These broader findings provide helpful context for understanding why many families are prioritizing outdoor, screen-free experiences when planning summer programs.
VirginiaSummerCamp.com is a statewide resource designed to help families explore, compare, and plan meaningful summer experiences for children across Virginia. The site features camp listings, parent guides, and original research focused on raising curious, confident, and active kids.
At VirginiaSummerCamp.com, our editorial team creates practical, parent-focused resources about camps and youth programs across Virginia. While we occasionally use AI tools to support research and drafting, every piece is checked by a human editor before publication. Our goal is to provide helpful, trustworthy guidance—rooted in real-world experience as parents and educators—while continually improving our processes to reduce errors and offer the most reliable information possible. All articles are reviewed and refined by experienced editors who understand the needs of Virginia families and are committed to accuracy, clarity, and transparency.
We care deeply about raising curious, confident, active kids, and we approach every guide with that purpose in mind.
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