Offers principles of program evaluation and development to help camps appeal to today's campers while satisfying past participants. Discusses changing camper preferences, specialty camps, the importance of connecting campers with tradition, discovering untapped resources, changing demographics, complementing adventure trips with camp-based…

Camp White Eagle (Illinois) developed an evaluation process to assess the positive effects of its wilderness adventure program on adjudicated adolescents. Discusses aspects of the evaluation process applicable to other camps: reviewing program elements, formulating questions, choosing the design, developing measurements, collecting data,…

Questionnaires completed by 53 high school age students from the Voyaguer Outward Bound School (VOBS) were analyzed to determine how well the program met the perceived needs/expectations of the students. Prior to the course, participants ranked the 17 course components in order of perceived importance, and following the course they indicated how…

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)

This proceedings contains nine conference papers, as well as abstracts of an additional seven papers, on research related to outdoor education. A preface, "Building a Research Community for Outdoor Education" (Anderson B. Young), describes the role of the Coalition for promoting information exchange and cooperation among outdoor education…

This book provides an overview of the history, theoretical basis, research, development, evaluation, and current status of wilderness therapy programs for troubled adolescents. An introduction explores theories of adolescence and adolescent development, problems facing adolescents in contemporary society, limitations of traditional mental health…

Methods must be looked at to implement the objectives of summer camp all year long if we are truly convinced of the impact camp can have in exposing children to their outdoor heritage, challenging their imaginations, and developing their minds and bodies. Every camp or outdoor program differs in content, method, and approach, though all are…

This annotated bibliography lists resource materials related to the use of adventure programming with special populations. Materials were written between 1980 and 1992 and include journal articles, books, and documents cited in Educational Resources Information Center (ERIC). Dissertation Abstracts International, and Psychlit. The 108 entries…

Eight abstracts provide key points of papers presented at the 1985 meeting of the Camping Research Section of the American Camping Association. Topics discussed were: the effects of a one-week resident camp experience on environmental attitudes, goals and accomplishments of the National Outdoor Education Consortium for Research and Evaluation, the…

Presenting four basic adventure education concepts as defined by Project Adventure (a Demonstrator/Developer Project within the National Diffusion Network and operating out of Massachusetts), this book describes a number of successful high school and middle high adventure programs. Major adventure education concepts are identified as: adventure…

Twenty abstracts represent papers on: an agenda for camping research, use of alternative learning environments in an outdoor setting for emotionally disturbed children and youth, effects of specialized camping program on coronary heart disease risk factors in children, efficacy of physical activity programs for overweight pre-adults at specialized…

Through an intensive 19 day outdoor experience of backpacking, hiking, rock climbing, and white water canoeing, the Connecticut Wilderness School has provided a novel therapeutic approach for problem youth referred by a wide variety of state agencies. To determine if participants in this program become more internally oriented, develop a higher…

A study determines the effect of a six-day wilderness experience on self-concept, knowledge of and attitude toward the environment of twelfth grade students (n=61). Results indicate that changes in self-concept and environmental knowledge can occur from short-term wilderness experiences. (56 references) (MCO)

The goals of "Operation Awareness", a 1974 summer program involving coeducational high school canoeing, camping, and study, were to acquire knowledge; acquire outdoor living skills; promote involvement in a conservation work project; and provide the opportunity for social, emotional, and physical growth through group living. Students,…