Toys? Games? The latest gimmick in electronics? Each holiday season, parents and grandparents are faced with the hard decision of what gifts to give their children. This year take the pressure off and choose the gift of camp-a gift of value that's truly worth giving. Camp is a combination of fun and learning-exploration and discovery-growth and development. Camp is the perfect gift with benefits that last a lifetime.

Camp provides your child with organized activities, direction, supervision, and fun-a great time that offers extraordinary learning opportunities and enduring memories. Last year, more than 10 million youth benefited from a camp experience at more than 12,000 camps nationwide. "Community, connectivity, compassion, cooperation . . . it's the legend of camp as it has always been - and it's the promise of camp as it can be - a symbol of a truly American experience" states Marla Coleman, President, American Camping Association.

Camp is one of the few communities for children and youth that proactively promotes positive human development. The camp experience teaches your child the benefit of community, inspires independence, and promotes personal awareness. What other gift can do all of that?

Winston Churchill (1874-1965) said, "We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give." Make a difference in your child's life today. Sign them up for camp.

Find the camp of your choice by registering early. The American Camping Association can help families find an ACA-accredited camp that serves almost any interest, ability, budget, age, and personal schedule. Visit www.ACAcamps.org. to access the widely used Online Camp Database. The annually published Guide to ACA-Accredited Camps is also available, or parents can speak to an ACA representative for advice on finding the right camp by calling 800-428-CAMP(2267).

Founded in 1910, the American Camping Association is a national community of camp professionals and is dedicated to enriching the lives of children and adults through the camp experience. ACA is the only organization that accredits all types of camps based upon 300 national standards for health and safety.

For more information, visit www.ACAcamps.org.

*The HooK Camp Guide is an advertising suppliment.