ABSTRACT
American Summer camps emerged in the nineteenth century in response to concern about modern youths’ loss of the Frontier Spirit. Serious Fun camps utilise creative mimesis play but other camps depend on mimesis imitation to reproduce preconceptions of an ideal. The first summer camps in New England were Protestant islands of American virility. Health, rejuvenation and pioneer nostalgia connected campers to a romantic American tradition. The essence of the camp experience was established in the nineteenth century. It entailed living away from home whilst participating in planned activities, evening camp fires and exposure to the natural world under the guidance of counselors. The back-to-nature ideal of camping endured a century of profound change. Nature was presumed to be the necessary catalyst for the effectiveness of the camp experience. The Hole in the Wall Gang Camp was the first purpose built holiday facility for seriously ill children.
