Data finds Warren County national leader in recreational, camp industry

Have you booked summer camp yet for the kids? If not, you might want to think about Warren County.

New data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics shows that the county is a national leader in the recreational and vacation camp industry.

The Center for Economic Growth analyzed the numbers and found average employment in the county’s private camps tripled from 2020’s summer lockdown lows and climbed to the fourth-highest level in the country.

"The demand for accessible, world-class recreation is one of our area’s secret weapons as we chart our way into the new economy…The innovation and collaboration through the trials of the pandemic was inspiring and welcomed by thousands that we hope to convert to long-term visitors and residents," said Jim Siplon, president of EDC Warren County.

During 2021’s peak summer tourism months of July and August, Warren County’s 13 recreational and vacation camps averaged 915 employees. That was three times more than the previous year’s peak season average.

The only counties with higher peak summer employment were Wayne County in Pennsylvania, Cumberland County in Maine and Carroll County in New Hampshire.