Parents hope to find something that will allow the child a chance to relax and forget the regimentation of formal school, yet still allow them to learn a little. Blossoming in numbers due to the overwhelming favorable public response, summer camps are the ideal answer to the problem of summer vacations.
「夏令營」活動在國外風行已久，國內早年也有些學校、教會，在暑假裡辦些活動；但正式打出「夏令營」名號的，則是基督教青年會在民國四十年時舉辦的「夏令少年營」。