Oh, doo-dah day: eCamp is goin'to run all night and goin'to run all day providing online communication software to America's camps this summer.

eCamp will provide communications software to over 250 summer camps this summer.

The Insight program from eCamp is awesome. An easy to set-up and fully supported program that has provided our campers and parents with a view" to the goings-on here at camp this summer. Our parents loved it and we loved how easy it was to use!

- Camp director Mike DeRidder of YMCA Camp Piomingo

June 4, 2002: LAKEVILLE, CT: The phone won't stop ringing, the coffee maker is malfunctioning, and you lost your dry cleaning ticket. Just when another hectic day at the office feels like an apocalyptic premonition, you type in the web address of your daughter's summer camp, and before your eyes are the latest pictures and happenings, including what she had for dinner last night. Your stress is replaced by a smile. You send your daughter a quick email, and all of the sudden a cup of instant coffee doesn't sound so bad.
You can thank eCamp Messaging Services, Inc. for saving your day. eCamp delivers electronic communications in a safe and reliable environment while maintaining the spirit and authenticity of American camping. Since the company's inception in 1998, co-founders Seth Hirschel and Adam Helfgott have created a software program called InSight, that not only allows parents to email their children while at camp, they can also view a customized camp web site chock full of photos, news, short videos and articles. Additional family members, such as grandparents or siblings, can be "invited" by the parent to view the camp web site. This allows all family members to communicate with their favorite camper, with security and privacy accounted for. For camps, this technology delivers the most profound marketing impact the industry has seen in years for one clear reason; it lets mom and dad be more a part of their childs life and the camp experience. Parents can also purchase camp gear and care packages, which includes personalized items for their child.
Parents receive email credits when they sign up for InSight, based upon the length of time their camper will be away. For example, a parent can buy 8 email credits if their camper is away for one week, or 15 emails if they are away for two or more. Parents then have the ability to send their child a message, through a secure, one-way email system. The message is forwarded to the camp, and then printed and distributed to the camper with their regular mail. The InSight software allows camps to write articles, select photos, and upload all content to the camp's web site. Photo albums can be created for each individual camp session, and then can be archived for the camper and their family to view once camp is over. " The camp web site acts as a parental comfort zone while their child is away", remarks Hirschel. " Through up-to-date pictures, news, and even daily menus, parents can take part in their child's camping experience from the comfort of their own home". This service, adds Hirschel, "does not disrupt the camper and allows camp directors to update information without having to be computer-savvy. Our software practically functions on it's own."
In 2002 eCamp anticipates serving the daily dish to more than 250,000 camp families, and plans to double that amount in 2003. To visit one of eCamp's community websites, please call for a demo account. For all press inquiries, including interviews, please contact Brooke Ashley at 800.280.8448.

About eCamp
eCamp provides electronic communications solutions for camps. eCamp is now in it's forth summer, developing and selling software and technology products for residential and day camp programs. Our products build community and answer current social needs within the context of the camp environment. At the core of eCamp's development strategy are the themes of family, communication and sharing. We carefully weave these themes into the nature and usability of every product we make available to camps. Our products include eCamp InBox, eCamp InSight, eCamp Access, and eCamp Courier. These products span from online camp communities to managed email systems and complete firewall servers especially designed for managing Internet access for camp staff. Based upon the belief that technology can support and enhance the summer camp tradition, eCamp is the market leader in emerging camp communications technology.