Interest in both the objective dimension and the subjective dimension of summer camp experiences has grown among camp scholars. As a building block for understanding subjective elements of summer camp experiences, discrete defining moments may provide insights into linkages between what program providers deliver and the experiences that youth…

As 4-H evolves to include a wide breadth of youths' modern interests, innovative educational opportunities and evaluation practices become necessary. Horsemanship and safety-based horse camps were created in response to a statewide challenge to develop competitive 4-H members and retain those members as they approach adolescence. This article…

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…

Stresses the importance of planning ahead for rainy day activities at camp. Suggested outdoor activities include learning to build a fire in the rain, dam building, canoe puzzles, and holey garbage-can fill; indoor activities include crafts, pass the present, human game pieces, and opportunities for cabin groups to plan and host a fun activity.…

Wilderness programs have earned a well-respected niche in the continuum of care for troubled youth and families by providing quality counseling and education in an outdoor environment. Research substantiates claims of program effectiveness. Outdoor therapeutic programming can be dissected into identifiable techniques and approaches, which have…

The emergency manual for the Orange County Outdoor School provides phone numbers, procedures, safety rules, and plans in case of an emergency. Phone numbers are listed for fire and medical emergencies, police, and highway department. General emergency procedures are outlined in case of fire, vandalism, accidents, illness, power failure, animal…

Camp pioneers relate how camping has grown to become more diverse, environmentally aware, safe, and conscious of its responsibility to promote healthy development of children. Changing trends in clothing, transportation, and food preparation at camp are described. The joys, discoveries, and teachable moments that camp offers children have endured.…

A study of girls' Internet usage collected data from 1,246 girls aged 13-18 via focus groups, personal journals, and surveys. Many girls didn't know how to react to situations like pornography or sexual harassment in chat room conversations. Girls wanted proactive involvement from adults, not just prohibitive advice, on navigating the Internet.…

Reported are the results of a project assessing the impact of a revised Massachusetts sanitary code on 500 summer camps for children. The study compared camp compliances with the proposed regulations to the level of compliance with existing regulations. (BT)

Provides checklists to prepare for camp opening. Covers such areas as health histories of all campers and staff, staff credentials, condition of facilities and equipment, staff training, horse stables and equipment, and safety of swimming areas. (LP)

Describes value and instruction of vaulting, gymnastics on horseback, in residential camp environment. Emphasizes safety practices concerning ring preparation, warming up, and horse selection and training. Describes vaulter equipment, learning process, programs, and games. Defines 13 vaulting terms. (TES)

The product of some 10 years of work directed toward federal legislation addressing and defining youth camp safety, the Youth Camp Safety Act (S. 258), as presented in these hearings, calls for the federal government to assume a role in the development of state health and safety standards for children attending youth camps in any state in the…

Reported is a study of illnesses and injuries occurring during resident outdoor education programs at Camp Joy, Cincinnati, Ohio. The study involved an analysis of the nurse's and supervisor's records compiled during 12 one-week resident sessions with fourth, fifth and sixth graders from Cincinnati public schools (N=1271). The 71 injuries and 58…

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…

Since 1976, the Board of Cooperative Educational Services (BOCES) of Nassau County, New York, has utilized a 1600 acre site at Caumsett State Park for its Outdoor and Environmental Education Program. Once the estate of Marshall Field III, the center retains many historic buildings and provides a unique combination of natural habitats: fields,…