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What is Camp Research?

Historical interest only - the camp research list has ended

From: campresearch Moderator (Randy Grayson)
Date: 9 Mar 2000
Subject: Welcome to campresearch

... the purpose of the list is as follows. The number of people (and consequently number of studies) interested in camping research is very small. Much of the research that does take place tends to be unpublished. Sharing information about studies, offering feedback, lessons learned, and advice to each other can only propel our collective goal - to learn about the processes and outcomes of a camp experience.

************* Projects in the works ***************

1. This summer, I conducted research on a summer camp's ability to positively impact characteristics of resiliency (future sense of self, social skills, positive peer influence, self-esteem, self-efficacy, and more) in at-risk children (poverty, single parent, drugs, etc.). I can post more details if folks are interested.
2. Paul Marsh did a meta-analysis on camp's ability to influence self-esteem. The report is available from ACA and will be published in Camping Magazine shortly.
3. New York city is gearing up to send (I believe) 3000 kids to camp this summer, 7000 next summer, and 10000 in the summer of 2001. It's a two-week experience that has a large educational component. They plan to do research on the processes and outcomes. I'm reading the proposal now and will update when I know more.
4. Gwynn Powell is doing research into the definition of camping. She wants to research the history and formulation of the definition and to research empirical evidence supporting the major components of the definition. More information is archived on the web as part of the listserv - see below.
5. I submitted a proposal to the American Camping Association to conduct a comprehensive literature review. All published and unpublished research done in the 20th century would be covered, however certain populations would likely be excluded, like children with psychopathologies and juvenile delinquents. The ACA chose not to fund the effort, but other opportunities are being sought. New information available soon.
6. The American Camping Association is trying to get a national camp evaluation project off the ground. Currently, they are considering using the Search Institute's framework, but it isn't definite. Their project may take place in the summer of 2000, but probably not until the summer after that. This is a collaborative effort with other camp organizations like the Girl and Boy Scouts, YMCA, Campfire, and others.
7. The National Inclusive Camp Practices (NICP) Study-1997-2000. National Inclusive Camp Practices (NICP) study of youth with and without disabilities in resident mainstream (i.e., inclusionary) camp and outdoor school programs. The NICP study represents the first such research conducted nationwide that will employ validated instrumentation to determine the effects of inclusionary practices on the affective and skill development of youth (with and without disabilities) who participate together in resident outdoor programs. Conducted from 1997-2000, the NICP study will be carried out in 16 ACA accredited resident camps and outdoor school sites nationwide, and include parents, administrators, counselors/staff, and approximately 1,000 youth (50% with and 50 % without disabilities), ages 7-18.
8. National Camp Evaluation Project. The three year study focused on evaluating the effectiveness of summer residential camping experiences for children, youth and young adults with disabilities (ages primarily 7-21).

If anyone knows of other projects, please let us all know!

How to join other discussion lists.

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