Children's connection to nature increasingly is of interest in education, psychology, urban planning, and other related fields. Research findings emphasize the central importance of early connections due to resulting benefits for environmental awareness, knowledge, social-emotional learning, health, and wellbeing. To more clearly conceptualize the…

This research uses contact theory to examine the impact of a service learning class on college students' attitudes toward people with disabilities. Students were involved in both lecture material and working directly with people with disabilities in a therapeutic camp environment. Eighty-four students responded to the questionnaires at three time…

The REAL Camp-NIU Experience established at Northern Illinois University serves as a model to afford high school students an experience in science- and mathematics-related careers. The participants' perceptions of the college-based camp curriculum were very favorable, as were the perceptions from preservice teachers and practicing teachers…

Investigated whether a specific outdoor education program had any measurable impact on campers' environmental attitudes. Reports that all participants (N=613) had a positive experience but that the experimental treatment did not significantly influence attitudes. Includes the attitude instrument in the appendix. (ML)

Discusses a study which sought to determine the effects of gender on test scores from participants of a week-long environmental camp. An analysis of three years of data of student attitudes, knowledge, expectations, and perceptions indicated that females were lower on knowledge pre-tests but made greater gains between knowledge tests. (ML)

The document discusses a 5-day outdoor education program held in the spring of 1968 for 31 fifth graders from Prairie Lincoln Elementary School, Grove City, Ohio; site of the self-supporting resident experience ($23 estimated cost per student) was The Columbus Presbytery Camp, Lancaster, Ohio. As reported, the primary purpose of the outdoor…

Findings of this November 1980 study indicated that outdoor education staff and classroom teachers should consider not only what they perceive to be important, but also, what children and parents consider important as outcomes and activities for resident outdoor education (ROE). An opinionnaire, designed to test whether participant groups in ROE…

Committed outdoor education leaders, by providing consistency and relatedness in all experiences and activities, can help children develop a lifelong respect and feeling for others and for their environment. (CM)

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…

This report presented results of longitudinal evaluation of Indian Youth Leadership Conference summer camps which provide 8- to 10-day sessions of physical activities and action-oriented problem-solving situations for male and female junior high aged Indian students aimed at developing skills and motivation. The evaluation provided information…

Sixth grade students' attitudes toward school were studied to determine if outdoor education investigations conducted on the school site and in the community would effect a positive change, similar to the change noted with students involved in residential outdoor programs. An experimental group of 28 students participated in outdoor activities…

In an effort to assess program effectiveness, demographic data derived from institutional records on 161 emotionally troubled youth having participated in the Eckerd Wilderness Program were analyzed in terms of interview data derived from a sample of 27 males and 22 females enrolled in the Eckerd camps March 1, 1968-December 31, 1971. The static…

In an effort to assess program effectiveness, demographic data derived from institutional records on 335 emotionally troubled youth who had participated in the Eckerd Wilderness Program were analyzed in terms of interview data derived from a random sample (32 males and 32 females) of youth enrolled in the Eckerd camps March 1, 1968- December 31,…