Camps provide a substantial opportunity for youth to develop important life skills. Identifying and training staff on critical competencies are essential to achieving the desired outcomes for camp participants. The purpose of this study was to determine the most critical competencies of the 4-H residential camp staff for achieving high staff…

Camp has proven to be an effective positive youth development strategy for children and youth who experience trauma and adversity. However, training camp counselors who are prepared to meet the needs of trauma-exposed youth in these settings are less understood. This pilot evaluation study provides the results of a social simulation-based training…

Materials available in this manual are designed to aid camp counselors in working effectively with students and with other camp personnel in making the overall camping experience as meaningful as possible. The manual includes sections on (1) the role of the junior counselor in relation to all other persons at the camp, (2) how the Outdoor School…

This directory lists 257 organizations with therapeutic adventure and experiential programs for special needs populations. The information was generated from a survey of members of the Association for Experiential Education. Special needs populations include youth-at-risk, persons with addictions, juvenile and adult offenders, inpatient and…

The benefits of outdoor camping for disturbed boys whose difficulties require treatment outside the home are described. The variety of emotional handicaps handled by group technique and direct experience with natural surroundings at Camp Woodland Springs outside of Dallas, Texas, and the reactions of the boys participating in this residential…