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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

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Desired Outcomes

This evaluative research only examined one camp with a focused program. The results, however, point to some of the important outcomes that might be experienced through camping and also offer some suggestions that other camps might consider.

Three main conclusions resulted from this exploratory study.

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* Campers and parents were aware of the direct positive psychological, social, and physical benefits of the camping experience. Regardless of whether the comments were from a fifth grader or a parent, they all articulated many of the values traditionally associated with going to camp. The activities that required physical skills in a natural setting resulted in enhanced environmental awareness and feelings of physical competence. The social interactions from daily living in a shared community resulted in a recognized growth in respect, problem-solving, and interpersonal skills. The combined effect was one of self-empowerment and personal growth that reached into all aspects of the child's life well beyond the confines of the camp environment.

* Goals are important to the achievement of desired outcomes. If articulated goals and objectives reflect the mission and vision of the camp and then are used as the basis for staff training and program design and implementation, then these desired results are much more likely to occur. While some of these positive outcomes articulated by the children and their parents may have occurred serendipitously in any camp, their likeliness was increased in this camp because of the planned way in which they were targeted and addressed by the camp staff.

* Camp benefits not only the child, but also the parent(s), and ultimately, the community to which that child returns. The benefits found in this study to the campers were not surprising. However, the articulation of the benefit to the parents was not anticipated. A recognition of the powerful relationship that exists between parents who entrust their children to the camp staff and their own growth as a parent coming to terms with the maturation of their child is worthy of further consideration and study One can also suggest that children who return to their communities after a positive camp experience will add to the potential social capital of that community. Children from camp communities that have stressed responsibility, respect, caring, leadership, and good citizenship may return to their home communities and put these attitudes into action in their home, school, and community.

This project was a first step to examine the outcomes of a camp that plans and implements programs for desired benefits. While a few aspects about the experience have been addressed, many others are still waiting to be considered. The camp experience is as varied as the campers and the camp they attend, and yet, the complexities must be addressed if the camping profession is to continue to show that camp, indeed, "gives kids a world of good."

References

Marsh, P. (1999). Does camp enhance self-esteem? Camping Magazine, 72(6), 36-40.

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

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