A day-by-day account describes Camp Greentop's first 5-day adventure camping trip, which was attended by five individuals with disabilities and their counselors. The first day was spent in games and initiatives designed to develop communication, teamwork, and dependability. Other days were devoted to hiking, rock climbing, and whitewater rafting.…

Blue Star Camps (Hendersonville, North Carolina) used talents of an internationally known architectural artist to emphasize a world peace dimension in their 1985 eight-week coed summer program. Past creative programs have included mock United Nations sessions, mock presidential conventions/elections, lunar landing salute, bicentennial celebration,…

In the late 19th century, camps in the Adirondacks responded to concerns that the American character was softening. Much camping philosophy came from the progressive movement in education. Aspects of Indian culture were adopted because they seemed to fit naturally in the Adirondacks, and children loved them. Adirondack camps have always been…

Resident outdoor environmental education (ROEE) is a camp-based extension of the classroom for two to five days, promoting student independence, interpersonal skills, and ecological awareness. Advantages and disadvantages of the "camp as innkeeper" and full program-provider models are given. Program development guidelines cover expenses,…

The Discovery Center (Ashford, Connecticut) is a camp/university/school program that provides a positive diversity experience to preadolescents through experiential education in an outdoor, residential setting. Students from at least four cultural groups are mixed for all cabin and lab groups, and all camp activities are retooled to pursue the…

Camp Kingsmont, a weight reduction and fitness facility for boys and girls located near West Stockbridge, Massachusetts, traditionally celebrates International Day each July. Campers design costumes, prepare native dances and songs, enjoy an outdoor feast, stage an "International Beautyless Contest," and gather around a bonfire to view a…

Overviews the philosophy and theory of camp experiences and discusses the special benefits of camps, including experiences that can lead to significant life-changing outcomes, sound educational goals, a sense of psychological and physical safety, and helping children to deal with social problems such as the degradation of the environment and human…

Trends in staff development for camp counselors include using experiential training activities, inviting outside speakers to address staff on topics of concern, and teaching staff about child-related issues. Addresses problems in working with staff and provides suggestions for increasing the effectiveness of staff training programs. (LP)

Stresses the importance of communicating to parents how camping meets the developmental needs of youth through encouraging positive social interaction with adults and peers, providing a structured environment, promoting physical activity, encouraging creativity, empowering campers to achieve success, providing meaningful participation in the camp…

A month-long residential program for adolescents in Michigan teaches arts and sciences through active learning workshops in an experiential, cooperative camp environment. Appreciation for diversity, supporting the developmental needs of adolescents, and building a sense of community are prime foci of the program. These are accomplished through…

Camping or other outdoor experience is seen as an alternative to incarceration for youth-at-risk, matching the excitement of the street-gang society or peer group, while simultaneously giving youth-at-risk a sense of the reason for teamwork, adherence to a group-respected value system, regard for skills and abilities of others, plus a…

Provides selected 14-item outdoor-environmental education bibliography and 20-item checklist of factors weekend/summer camp directors should consider when pondering entry into the outdoor education market. Covers issues of camp philosophy, staff, facilities additions/alterations, equipment, food service, competition, environmental impact,…

Describes study of 837 campers aged 8-13 at 1 day and 5 residential camps, 546 parents, and 274 counselors to document effect of camp experiences on group-living/interpersonal skills, prosocial outlook, outdoor living skills, personal enjoyment, and environmental appreciation/understanding. Three figures show survey results, four photographs of…