An effective approach to camp staff orientation involves veteran staff leading orientation groups for new staff. In addition to familiarizing staff members with the camp, group leaders are responsible for making members feel at ease through activities. Details a highly successful five-day orientation led by veteran staff. (LP)

Describes how camp counselors can foster camaraderie among campers through participative decision making, name games, listening, adventure courses, storytelling, spending time in nature, decorating cabins, avoiding favoritism, setting rules, admitting faults, setting group goals, and praising sincere efforts. (TD)

Describes a severe incident of hazing among 13-year-old male campers. Discusses hazing as a ritual or rite of passage gone awry, indicative of the lack of positive rituals for youth in our society. Recommends camp program procedures for responding to such incidents and strategies to prevent hurtful behaviors among campers and to promote group…

The Goddard-Riverside Educational Camp Program is a combination community center camp-city school program for New York City school children. Four hundred eighty fifth graders participated in the program. Groups of students with their teachers and program staff spent one week at the Goddard-Riverside Camp in upstate New York. As part of the…

Reports the visit of Nancy Reagan to Maine's Agassiz Village, a racially mixed, coed camp accredited by the American Camping Association and serving inner city youth. Emphasizes Mrs. Reagan's commitment to organized camping and to the Just Say No anti-drug campaign. (JHZ)

Provides blueprints and color photographs and describes outstanding features of six winners of the camp architecture competition sponsored by "Camping Magazine." Winners are in the categories of support facilities, housing, program facilities, and recreation facilities. (JHZ)

Describes a two-day environmental camping experience for 180 sixth-graders in Windham, Maine. (JM)

Described are the development, evolution, and creative art activities of a summer camp for handicapped, learning disabled children--Learning through Creative Arts With Handicapped Children--in Ashville, New York. (KC)

Responding to the fact that young people today have more personal problems and challenging behaviors, Camp CHI (Lake Delton, Wisconsin) and seven day camps affiliated with the Jewish Community Center of Chicago began utilizing trained clinical camp consultants to address individual camper's behavior problems and related staff needs. The positive…

Three camp directors discuss their policies regarding body art and body piercing. Only one director reported a strict policy prohibiting tattoos or body art based on standards that the camp portrays to families. However, all directors enforced policies prohibiting clothing or body art that mentions alcohol, tobacco, drug use, or inappropriate…

Describes the founding and operations of Indian Youth of America camps in Oregon, Arizona, and South Dakota. Discusses the special significance of camp locations, incorporation of cultural activities and education, group sessions to develop positive self-image, nutritional practices, letter writing sessions, photography classes, and recreational…

Details events of six days during Salmonella outbreak at camp in North Carolina. Explains how camp handled 280 sick campers and staff, well campers, news media, and parents. Based on an epidemiologic survey of food eaten, it was suspected that the culprit of the outbreak was a meat item. Offers suggestions for crisis management in the camp…

Describes a resident camp program designed to teach girls ages 10-12 about photography. Goals of the one-week program included developing an eye for potential photographs; learning how to use cameras and equipment; and learning photography principles that produce quality pictures. Includes photography activities and projects. (LP)

Discusses how camps can focus on the connection between environmental ethics and spirituality. Addresses the importance of defining the meaning of spirituality; providing time alone for campers; developing rituals; celebrating natural holidays; sharing spiritual experiences; being open-minded about spirituality; cultivating respect; encouraging…

Presents an overview of programs conducted in earth and environmental education in Nova Scotia. Describes programs offered by the Halifax Outdoor Centre, the HeartWood Institute, and Peak Experiences, providing outdoor and adventure experiences to elementary and secondary school students and adults. (CDS)