Choosing the Right AI for Your Camp: A Comparison of Claude Opus 4.5, GPT-5.2, and Gemini 3

You need AI tools that work for your camp. Three companies now offer AI assistants capable of writing emails, drafting schedules, creating training materials, and more. Each tool has strengths and weaknesses. This guide breaks down Claude Opus 4.5 from Anthropic, GPT-5.2 from OpenAI, and Gemini 3 from Google.

After reading this, you will know which AI fits your specific needs.

The Three Models at a Glance

Anthropic released Claude Opus 4.5 on November 24, 2025. OpenAI launched GPT-5.2 on December 11, 2025. Google shipped Gemini 3 on November 18, 2025. All three arrived within weeks of each other. Competition between these companies has accelerated development.

Each company targets different users. Anthropic focuses on safety and careful reasoning. OpenAI aims for broad professional use. Google integrates AI across its existing products like Gmail, Docs, and Calendar.

Writing Quality

Camp directors write constantly. Parent emails, staff training documents, board reports, grant applications, and marketing copy demand clear communication.

Claude Opus 4.5

Claude produces thoughtful, nuanced writing. Early testers describe it as having strong judgment about context. It interprets what you want without excessive hand-holding. For parent communications requiring sensitivity, Claude tends to strike the right tone. The model excels at longer documents where maintaining consistency matters.

GPT-5.2

GPT-5.2 produces faster responses with a conversational style. OpenAI built this model for professional tasks like presentations and reports. It handles short, punchy content well. Some users find its tone friendlier for casual communications. OpenAI claims GPT-5.2 hallucinates 38% less than its predecessor, meaning it makes fewer factual errors.

Gemini 3

Gemini 3 integrates directly with Google Workspace. You draft an email in Gmail and Gemini helps refine it without switching apps. Responses tend toward neutral, professional tone. Google designed it for users who already live inside Google products. If your camp uses Google Workspace, Gemini offers seamless integration.

Winner for Writing

For sensitive parent communications and longer documents: Claude Opus 4.5. For quick drafts and conversational content: GPT-5.2. For Google Workspace integration: Gemini 3.

Coding and Technical Tasks

Most camp professionals do not write code. But you might need help with spreadsheet formulas, database queries, or website updates.

Claude Opus 4.5

Claude leads in coding benchmarks. On SWE-bench Verified, a standard test for software tasks, it scores 80.9%. Anthropic tested it on a take-home exam given to their engineering job candidates. The model scored higher than any human applicant ever has. For spreadsheet formulas and technical problem-solving, Claude handles complexity with precision.

GPT-5.2

GPT-5.2 scores 80.0% on the same coding benchmark. It excels at front-end web development and user interface tasks. If you need website updates or simple web applications, GPT-5.2 performs well. OpenAI also offers integration with Excel for creating and managing spreadsheets.

Gemini 3

Gemini scores 76.2% on coding benchmarks. It offers strong performance on mathematical problems. Google launched a coding tool called Antigravity alongside Gemini 3 for developers building applications. For basic spreadsheet and document tasks within Google Sheets, Gemini works smoothly.

Winner for Technical Tasks

For complex spreadsheet formulas and technical precision: Claude Opus 4.5. For website work and Excel: GPT-5.2. For Google Sheets integration: Gemini 3.

Working with Images and Documents

Camp work involves photos, PDFs, and documents. You need AI that understands visual content.

Claude Opus 4.5

Claude reads and analyzes images, PDFs, and documents. It extracts information from forms, interprets charts, and describes photos. Anthropic improved its ability to understand user interfaces and visual layouts. Claude does not generate images. If you need image creation, you must use a separate tool.

GPT-5.2

GPT-5.2 reads images and documents. OpenAI claims it halved the error rate on chart reading compared to earlier versions. It integrates with DALL-E 3 for image generation, but the December 2025 update did not improve image creation. You access image generation through the same ChatGPT interface, but it runs on a separate model.

Gemini 3

Gemini leads in image capabilities. It generates images directly within conversations. Google calls this feature Nano Banana Pro. Users report realistic, detailed image creation with accurate text rendering. Gemini also processes video content. It analyzes uploaded videos and understands what happens in them. For visual work, Gemini offers the most complete package.

Winner for Visual Work

For image generation: Gemini 3. For reading documents and charts: All three perform well, with slight edge to GPT-5.2 and Claude. For video understanding: Gemini 3.

Image Generation Comparison

If you need AI to create images for camp marketing, social media, or materials, your options differ significantly.

• Gemini 3: Built-in image generation. Creates images directly in conversation. Strong at text in images and realistic photos.

• GPT-5.2: Uses DALL-E 3. Separate feature within ChatGPT. No improvements in the December 2025 update. OpenAI plans a new image model for January 2026.

• Claude Opus 4.5: Does not generate images. Anthropic focuses on text and reasoning.

For camp marketing materials requiring custom images, Gemini 3 offers the most capable built-in option today.

Data Privacy: Will Your Conversations Train the AI?

This matters. Camp professionals share sensitive information about children, families, and staff. You need to know where your data goes.

Claude Opus 4.5

Anthropic does not use your conversations to train models unless you explicitly opt in. This is the default setting. Your chats remain private. If you provide feedback through thumbs up or thumbs down buttons, that specific interaction might be used. Safety-flagged content may be reviewed. But normal conversations stay private without any action from you.

Privacy researchers rank Claude as the most private of the major AI chatbots for this reason.

GPT-5.2

OpenAI uses your conversations for training by default. You must actively change your settings to opt out. Navigate to Settings, then Data Controls, then disable model training. OpenAI offers Temporary Chat mode, which prevents saving and training, but you must remember to turn it on each session.

ChatGPT Enterprise and Business plans do not use your data for training. This protection is automatic for paying enterprise customers.

Gemini 3

Google uses your conversations to improve Gemini by default. Human reviewers at Google may read your chats. Google retains conversation data for up to 18 months. You can adjust this in your Google Account under Data and Privacy settings. You can shorten retention to 3 months or disable activity logging.

Google Workspace accounts with enterprise agreements operate under different terms. Your organization's IT administrator controls those settings.

Privacy Summary

• Most private by default: Claude Opus 4.5

• Private if you change settings: GPT-5.2

• Least private by default: Gemini 3

If you share camper health information, staff reviews, or family financial details, choose Claude or configure the other tools carefully.

Pricing

All three companies offer free tiers with limitations.

Claude

• Free tier: Limited messages per day

• Pro plan: $20/month

• Max plan: $100/month with higher usage limits

ChatGPT

• Free tier: Access to basic models

• Plus plan: $20/month

• Pro plan: $200/month with GPT-5.2 Pro and higher limits

Gemini

• Free tier: Basic access through Google account

• Google AI Plus: $9.99/month (includes Google One storage)

• Google AI Pro: $19.99/month

• Google AI Ultra: $49.99/month with advanced features

Google offers the lowest entry price. All three provide enough capability at the $20/month tier for most camp office needs.

Practical Recommendations for Camp Professionals

Your choice depends on your priorities.

Choose Claude Opus 4.5 if:

• Privacy matters most to you

• You write long, sensitive documents

• You need help with complex spreadsheet formulas

• You value thoughtful, nuanced responses

Choose GPT-5.2 if:

• You want the most well-known AI assistant

• You need quick, conversational responses

• You use Microsoft products like Excel

• You want image generation through DALL-E

Choose Gemini 3 if:

• Your camp runs on Google Workspace

• You need built-in image generation

• You want the lowest cost entry point

• You work with video content

Getting Started

Try all three. Each offers free access.

• Claude: claude.ai

• ChatGPT: chat.openai.com

• Gemini: gemini.google.com

Give each tool the same task. Draft a parent email about pickup procedures. Create a staff training outline. Write a grant application paragraph. Compare the results.

The AI that feels right for your communication style and workflow is the right choice for your camp.

One Final Note on Privacy

Regardless of which tool you choose, never enter passwords, Social Security numbers, credit card information, or highly confidential medical information into any AI assistant. These tools are powerful. They are not secure vaults.

Use AI to draft, brainstorm, and create. Keep your most sensitive data in proper secure systems designed for that purpose.

The AI landscape moves fast. What you read today will change within months. Check back for updates as these companies continue improving their tools.