They say Disney is the most magical place on Earth, but ask any kid who has spent the summer at one of America’s Finest Summer Camps, and they’ll beg to differ. They’ll tell you of a place that feels magical, that sparks their imagination, a place they can’t wait to get to and a place they never want to leave. They will tell you about a place where you can spend the entire day going, playing and doing and STILL not do and see everything there is to see. They’ll tell you that camp is a lot like Disney, but better.

There is something about making the journey to Disney that adds to the magic and excitement of the experience. Even if the drive is long or the flight is exhausting, there is something about the journey that adds to the excitement.  The same goes for camp. The build up, the anticipation, the letters in the mail, the newsletters and all of the things that lead up to the initial trip to camp help build the excitement before they even step foot on the grounds.

Camp is made for kids, much like Disney. It is made with growing imaginations in mind. America’s Finest Summer Camps take everything that kids love and roll it into one jam-packed summer. And, like Disney, every kid can find something they love at camp. Camp caters to athletes, thespians, crafters, animal lovers, thrill seekers, writers, outdoor enthusiasts, artists, nature lovers and everything in between, just like Disney caters to pirates, princesses, evil villains, talking mice and ducks that dance. Whatever campers are into, camp has something for them.

It goes without saying that a day at Disney is a day filled with fun, but for most families, it is just a day. Some lucky families can spend a few days exploring Disney, but usually no more than a week. The great thing about camp is that is lasts for so much longer than a week, and kids have plenty of opportunities to try everything, and then re-try the things they love the most. Camp is multiple weeks of fun and adventure, giving campers plenty of time to bond with new friends, and allowing them to enjoy everything camp has to offer without feeling rushed.

And although a lot of Disney is sparkly and magical, A LOT of Disney is waiting in lines. Long lines. Long, hot lines if you go in the summer. At camp? No lines. Campers spend their time actually enjoying the activities, not waiting in line forever to try them. And when there is a line, it’s always for something worth waiting for, like camp’s famous mac and cheese or a trip down the zip line. Kids who spend their summer at camp spend it having fun, not waiting around in long, sweaty, lines.

You can say all you want about Disney, but one thing is true: they know how to treat people. Disney is all about making magical experiences for everyone who walks through the gates. When you are greeted by a cast member at Disney they have this happy, genuine, remarkable ability of making you feel like they’ve been waiting for you to get there, that you’re the only one in the park, and that you having a magical experience is their top priority. Camp counselors at America’s Finest Summer Camps are the same kind of people. But the difference is that it is not a persona they put on for their “shift” and then turn it off when they go back to real life. Camp counselors work at America’s Finest Summer Camps because they truly want to make a difference in the life of the kids they are entrusted with. They really do get excited about the campers that are coming, they really do make kids feel like the most important person there, and their entire focus, for the entire summer, is making sure every single camper as an experience of a lifetime. Anyone can do that for one interaction at Disney, but these campers do it day in and day out, and it’s easy for them, because it’s genuine.

Heading to camp for the summer is something every kid should. Disney may be a magical place to spend a few days, but there’s a good chance that kids won’t build lifetime friendships, face fears, try something new or develop a deeper sense of self while they’re there. Those things come from spending the summer at America’s Finest Summer Camps.