Besides making useful and decorative projects, nature crafts encourage participants to explore and become aware of the world around them, which can lead to pursuits in the natural sciences, extensive collections, or career choices. Offers 14 guidelines for including nature crafts in outdoor programming, and suggests 16 projects. (TD)

Describes a marketing plan to increase enrollment in summer camps. Includes analyzing enrollment statistics, implementing marketing strategies that focus on retaining current campers, establishing a ranking system to concentrate efforts on inquiries most likely to enroll, and analyzing the effectiveness of marketing strategies. (LP)

Camp counselors in training (CIT) are usually adolescents. CIT programs must support teens through their developmental changes and provide opportunities to practice activity and life skills in a safe environment. Developmental tasks teens face are identified and elements of a strong CIT program are discussed. Sidebars present teen trends and…

Highlights what camp directors and program staff can do to establish a camp nature program. Emphasizes administrator commitment to the program, suitable facilities, campwide environmental awareness, staff enthusiasm, a hands-on approach, and a wide variety of activities. Provides suggestions for recruiting and hiring a nature counselor. (KS)

Blending traditional programming with new ideas is the key to retention of adolescent campers. Options include increasing program opportunities along with the age of the camper and offering programs outside of camp such as biking, golf, and sports clinics. Equally important are hiring effective teachers and maintaining quality facilities. (LP)

Describes seven life skills identified by the 4-H program as being essential for productive and happy lives: creative thinking, decision making, acquiring knowledge, responsibility, communication, understanding of self, and getting along with others. Suggests how camp staff can develop program goals and outcomes for teaching these skills. (SAS)

In implementing community service programs, camps need to develop safe, specific projects. Key planning points for service projects are presented. Risk management considerations specific to community service projects include developing guidelines for camper interaction with the public; discussing first-aid and emergency precautions, including…

Discusses the importance for camp development efforts of collaboration between the camp's chief administrative officer (CAO) and development director. Describes qualities of an effective development director; where and how to begin the search for a development director; and the importance of retaining an effective development director in meeting…

Offers principles of program evaluation and development to help camps appeal to today's campers while satisfying past participants. Discusses changing camper preferences, specialty camps, the importance of connecting campers with tradition, discovering untapped resources, changing demographics, complementing adventure trips with camp-based…

Stresses the importance of being prepared when implementing a fund-raising program for camps. Discusses the impact of economic climate on philanthropy. Lists essential characteristics to look for when seeking a person to head a camp's fund-raising program and important questions to answer before initiating a fund-raising campaign. (LP)

Creativity exercises, or creater-cizes, can help camp staff generate ideas and solve problems. Common techniques are brainstorming, story-boarding, analogies and metaphors, association and free association, spinning, and lists. Defines and gives examples of each technique. (SAS)

Describes the positive mental, physical, and social growth impacts that the camping experience had on the author, and urges camp program evaluation to plan and implement such changes. Sidebar lists steps of effective evaluation: program goals and objectives, goals of evaluation, implementation of evaluation, data analysis, and findings and…

The City of Phoenix offers a five-day river-based camping experience to at-risk and disabled teens. Describes how professional river outfitters are contracted to run the trips, staffing considerations, liability and safety considerations, and camper orientation. Evaluation showed that participants received lasting measurable benefits, including…

Campers at the Virginia 4-H Shooting Education Camp receive intensive training from certified range coaches in shotgun, rifle, air rifle, air pistol, and archery. Such programs teach campers responsibility; develop character and self-concept; and promote safety, sportsmanship, and ethical behavior. Includes resources for developing a shooting…

Strategies for developing hands-on learning activities for a camp nature program include working with themes, establishing goals, structuring time, providing a "hook," keeping instructions simple, and appropriately supervising campers. Includes ideas for nature themes, a sample learning activity, and suggestions for linking projects to…