The benefits of wilderness camping for juvenile delinquents are explored. (JD)

The most essential set of skills that camp directors can impart to staff are effective group skills. One trick to working with campers in groups is to formalize brief meetings as part of the program. Types of meetings described are daily group, bunk, or cabin meetings; briefing and debriefing before and after activities; public appreciation;…

Describes the following steps to encourage the natural process of story-making within groups: finding an appropriate setting; sitting in a circle; involving group members through drawings; adding movement; combining individual's drawings to create a group story; rehearsing the story for presentation; finding a proper spot for the performances; and…

Rainy days are opportunities to teach campers about weather and to plan activities around a rain theme. Indoor and outdoor science-based activities concerned with rain, water, or water conservation are suggested for specific age groups from ages 5-7 through 11-14. Campers can also develop ideas for activities using questions provided. (CDS)

A handbook is presented of materials and activities for a weekend Spanish language camp for secondary school students. The materials provided include a schedule, outline maps of Spanish-speaking areas in the world; a glossary of useful vocabulary and sentences arranged according to topic; pen-and-ink drawings of birds, leaves and other things…

Describes a simulation exercise for campers and an accompanying curriculum unit--"Thresholds of Extinction"--that addresses the issues of endangered species. Uses this context to illustrate steps in the process of values development: awareness, gathering data, resolution (decision making), responsibility (acting on values), and…

While working and playing together at camp, staff often work through most, if not all, of the stages of group formation, commonly referred to as forming, storming, norming, performing, and finally, transforming. Ten adventure-based games and activities are presented to help camp directors train staff and help them progress through these stages.…

Discusses developmental encroachment on isolated caves near Pittsford, Vermont. Describes cooperative effort by recreational camps and other agencies to acquire land surrounding cave entrances for conservation. Details successes and hurdles of land acquisition. Describes ongoing work by local campers to maintain and enjoy caves and property. (TES)

The introduction of historical and philosophical readings to outdoor education settings serves many purposes: inspiration to share personal stories, a sense of continued tradition, links across time to current practices, a way to frame complex notions of being, and opportunities for new understandings of outdoor experiences and clarification of…

Since the late 1800s, factors that stimulated growth of outing clubs at colleges and universities included the desire to get outdoors and explore and the clubs' ability to provide outdoor training, access, and equipment. Outing clubs were initially formed by students. The outing clubs at Williams College, Dartmouth, and Allegheny College were all…

Describes multi-camp conservation efforts around Pittsford (Vermont) Ice Caves, including bridge and shelter building, path clearing, and general cleaning. Describes benefits for camps and campers participating in cooperative conservation projects. Suggests general guidelines for launching similar multi-camp projects. Makes suggestions for meeting…

Describes Fox Valley Center, near Chicago, which combined traditional camp with social work interventions. Describes camp activities as encouraging interaction between young and old people of different races. Describes program focusing on mothers and their children. Details program evaluation procedure. Suggests areas of program outgrowth. (TES)

Defines "earth bonding" as dynamic interaction between individual and physical environment. Examines methods and goals of traditional environmental education. Describes development of five-day camping workshop for 11 outdoor education teachers. Describes how workshop facilitated earth bonding for teachers. Calls for further research in "bonding…

Suggests techniques for camp directors to help older adults enjoy adventure camping. Discusses sociological and psychological changes accompanying aging. Emphasizes outdoor group activities as ways of helping older adults adjust to aging. Offers tips for adventure program development, staff development, and program evaluation. (TES)

Describes the group dynamics, science discovery processes, and activities involved in building a raft at camp. The project used recycled products and required group cooperation; critical thinking about density, buoyancy, and balance; use of familiar resources in creative ways; and application of previously learned facts. (SAS)