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Happy but sad: Outcomes at Morry's Camp
Camping Magazine, Jan, 2002 by M. Deborah Bialeschki, Teresa Younger, Karla Henderson, Dawn Ewing, Mary Casey, II
Information from campers
Campers were provided a rating system for describing their experiences at camp related to the various activities that were offered. In addition, they provided responses to open-ended questions. The ratings were tallied and the open-ended answers were coded for enumeration and then referenced with exemplary quotes. This article will primarily examine the open-ended questions since these responses were similar to the quantitative scale but "richer" in their scope and details.
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One of the questions asked the campers to describe how camp changed them. Almost 25 percent of the campers mentioned they were more active because of camp. One ten-year-old said, "It encouraged me to exercise (by running) more." Other responses included such comments as, "It stopped me from being idle," and "It made [me] stop watching a lot of television."
Additional statements captured the wide range in perspectives of how the children thought camp had changed them. For example, a tally of the responses indicated that almost 20 percent mentioned feeling more independent, mature, and responsible. Approximately 18 percent indicated developing better attitudes, manners, and patience. Another 12 percent mentioned improved friendship skills and being more out-going.
Examples of these perceived changes as stated in the voices of the children included this statement by a nine-year-old who said, "It changed my manners" and I think it taught me how to be patient." One camper said, "It gave me a chance to get away from the city and taught me to be away from my dad." Another camper said, "It made me better by giving me better friendship skills." An eleven-year-old indicated, I am more into nature."
Campers said they liked camp activities best (40 percent), which included swimming, sports, field activities, and meal times. Campers said they liked the people and the staff (21 percent) second best. As one child said, I liked the counselors who understand me."
Since Morrys Camp is designed as a long-term commitment to camp, one of the evaluation questions related to what the campers looked forward to for the next year. The "people" was the most common response and included comments such as "seeing my old counselors, directors, and friends" and "meeting my new counselors." Physical activities were mentioned second with specific comments related to swimming better or passing the swimming test.
One question specifically asked campers to describe what makes a good counselor. The majority of the comments dealt with the personality of the counselor as detailed in the following comments: "understanding children," "always being there for us," "a counselor that listens to you and don't yell," "you have to be a good person and act like a kid," "have a lot of fun," "being good to us, helping us with stuff," and "cheer us up when we are down." Clearly, understanding, listening, and being available were important ways to interact and to make the camp a positive experience from these children's viewpoint.
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