This study investigated the influence of gender, age, and camp type on outcome achievements for children (aged 6 to 10) at summer camp. The outcome achievements measured were affinity for exploration, affinity for nature, camp connectedness, friendship skills, independence, perceived competence, problem-solving confidence, responsibility, and…

The purpose of this study was to investigate the outcomes of all-female camp experiences on women's lives. Using a retrospective approach, this study collected qualitative data from 131 women to examine the benefits of all-female camp experiences, to analyze the skills they gained at camp, and to understand how they apply these skills to their…

Background: Camp experiences contribute to a range of positive developmental youth outcomes, but camp experiences also pose a risk for youth because of potential exposure to injuries and illnesses. The camp community has lacked both a methodology and effective benchmarks for injury and illness monitoring. Furthermore, camp-related policy…

Summer camps provide opportunities for children to experience play, pleasurable activities, and social interaction with other children of similar ages and interests and are an integral part of the modern-day American cultural landscape. The authors discuss the emergence of summer camps for children with special needs, the types of play activities…

More than four million children spent part of summer 1984 at a day or resident camp. The age, interests, and activities enjoyed by the child should be considered when choosing a camp. Advice about finding the right camp from meeting the director to refund policies are discussed. (MT)

Recommendations by the American Academy of Pediatrics discuss components of the medical program for children's camps and provide guidelines for the camper's annual or biennial physical examination, maintenance of health records, health screenings on camper arrival and departure, daily health surveillance, camp health care facilities, and children…

Precamp physical examinations for children should be more than just cursory checks for routine problems. They should be complete health maintenance exams tailored to the needs of each child and to the rigors of the camp being attended. (Author/SM)

When choosing a summer camp program for a disabled child, parents should look for programs and activities that present the child with a maximum challenge that can be met successfully. After checking agencies with information on various camps, parents should consider the camp's facilities, philosophy, resources, and staff. (CB)

Survey responses from 87 of a total of 486 camps were adjusted to reflect projected 1981 economic conditions and to indicate the significance of children's summer camps to the economy of Massachusetts. Six categories of camps were identified: agency day (185 camps); agency resident (84); private day (91); private resident (69); public day, special…

This directory is designed to help parents, caregivers, and professionals locate appropriate summer programs for children and youth with disabilities. It includes descriptions for more than 300 day and sleepaway programs and separate sections for young children and teenagers. Program descriptions are presented in English and in Spanish and include…

This article describes the steps taken by the University of Oregon to create a prototype contracted camp service for 6-13 year old children of military personnel stationed overseas. Selection and training of college students for staff positions is outlined, and brief descriptions of the day and resident camps are given. (IAH)

A cooperative camp program trained three teenagers with developmental delays to be counselors-in-training (CITs) for a children's day camp. Trainees learned about the basic chain of command at camp, first aid and emergency care, child development, and behavior management. The program was deemed successful in increasing job opportunities for…

A language camp program that began with a small group of 10- to 12-year-olds whose faculty parents wanted them to retain the German learned on sabbaticals abroad has developed into a program of annual week-long day and resident camps for 150 children, aged 9 to 14 years, learning German, French, Spanish, and Norwegian. The camp was originally…

Two methods were used to identify important operational constraints and their potential impact on special education camps: a review of current literature and programs using content analysis and the development of day and resident camping experiences. In the content analysis, a process of evolution through trial and error was seen as leading to…

The word "summer" brings to mind images of a relaxed, unstructured season--a time markedly different from other seasons of the year. In the United States, we have a particularly entrenched notion that summer is different--a notion reflected in popular assumptions about summer as a "break" and reinforced by carefree depictions…