Children's nature : the rise of the American summer camp / Leslie Paris.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Paris, Leslie.

Series:

American history and culture (New York University Press)

American history and culture

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Camps--United States--History.

Camps.

Children--United States--History.

Children.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (376 p.)

Edition:

1st ed.

Place of Publication:

New York : New York University Press, c2008.

Language Note:

English

Summary:

For over a century, summer camps have provided many American children's first experience of community beyond their immediate family and neighborhoods. Each summer, children experience the pain of homesickness, learn to swim, and sit around campfires at night. Children's Nature chronicles the history of the American summer camp, from its invention in the late nineteenth century through its rise in the first four decades of the twentieth century. Leslie Paris investigates how camps came to matter so greatly to so many Americans, while providing a window onto the experiences of the children who a

Contents:

A warm history of modern childhood

At work and at play : the making of camp "family"

Small islands : the first summer camps

"A home though away from home" : how parents, camp owners, and children forged camp networks

Rituals of the season : the organization of camp community

Between generations : tensions in the camp "family"

Modernity and tradition in children's socialization

Is it progress? modernity and authenticity in camp life

Tans, tepees, and minstrel shows : race, primitivism, and camp community

The pioneer ideal : camp history, American history, children's history

Conclusion : "I had to go on in life" : from camp to childhood nostalgia.

Notes:

Description based upon print version of record.

Includes bibliographical references (p. 281-346) and index.

ISBN:

9780814768426

0814768423

9780814767504

0814767508

OCLC:

779828249