The purpose of this manual is to educate camp directors and camp personnel regarding government-recognized standard practices and procedures followed within the camp industry. These standards also provide a basis for voluntary accreditation of camps by the American Camping Association (ACA) beyond the minimum requirements of licensing. The manual…

Survey responses from 87 of a total of 486 camps were adjusted to reflect projected 1981 economic conditions and to indicate the significance of children's summer camps to the economy of Massachusetts. Six categories of camps were identified: agency day (185 camps); agency resident (84); private day (91); private resident (69); public day, special…

This booklet offers information on a variety of programs being offered for Navy youth by the Navy Recreation Services. The guide illustrates the types of programs being conducted, and highlights some exceptional programs. A chart presents a listing of youth team sports, indoor and outdoor sports, special events, fitness camps, parent clubs, and…

Until the depression of the 1930s, camping was valued simply for its recreational and health benefits. Then, with the advent of the philosophy of progressivism and the consequent changes in educational goals and practices, the educational potentials of camping also began to be examined. Attempts to redefine the role of camping and to seek…

Reviews research to determine applicability of Matthew Miles' temporary system theory to organized camping in Connecticut. Reveals resident camps exhibit more temporary system features than day camps and program directors respond to more similar temporary system features than camp directors. Supports importance of camp setting as effective…

A customized day camp for preschoolers was designed to provide children with a chance to grow as individuals by teaching outdoor skills through shared, hands-on experience. The two-day program has the children participating individually on Saturday and bringing a special "big person" on Sunday. Child-centered and child-motivated…

Reports a field experiment designed to explore the effectiveness of social learning and structural development prescriptions for moral pedagogy in a summer sports camp. Eighty-four children, aged five to seven years were taught by two trained instructors for a six-week period. Statistically significant results were not obtained between the…

Presents possible explanations for enrollment differences between boys and girls in summer camps and classes offering microcomputer programing. Uses data on type of enrollment and sponsorship, difficulty level of programing classes, cost, and residential vs. day use. Ratio of males to females was found to increase with grade, cost, and level of…

A conservation instructor describes the educational values (for conservation students in a vocational center) of being involved in the construction of community day camp sites. (JT)

Camp program evaluation is useful in documenting effectiveness to funders and in assessing and monitoring campers' problem behaviors. An example from Camp Fire Boys and Girls in Des Moines, Iowa, discusses developing an evaluation, identifying program objectives, choosing an evaluation method, content of the evaluation instrument, outcome results,…

This study evaluated the effectiveness of Camp Invention, a hands-on creativity and science day camp run in partnership with about 400 schools nationwide. A survey of 17,526 campers, parents, and staff supported the positive impact of Camp Invention for both boys and girls, in urban and suburban settings, and on attitudes towards creativity,…

Assessed the impact of different forms of maltreatment on the socioemotional development of 70 children aged 5-7 years in a day camp. Maltreated children scored lower than the comparison group on self-esteem and prosocial measures and higher on withdrawn behavior ratings. (RJC)

The successful summer day camp program of Saint Louis University (Missouri) is described. Program rationale, philosophy, objectives, structure, staffing, activities, and benefits to the university community are discussed. A majority of the children served by the camp are the children, ages 6 to 12, of university employees. (MSE)

Describes a pilot program in New Jersey, that offered a free summer camp for 750 elementary and secondary students, including students with learning disabilities, to learn computer skills and explore the Internet. Tips for learning on the Internet are provided, as well as suggested activities and Web sites. (CR)

Many urban schools should be called cafeterias, recreation centers, or community centers, because more time is spent eating, playing, and socializing than on teaching and learning. "Schools" are day camps with compliant attendees or custodial centers with involuntarily managed inmates. Teacher effectiveness turns solely on classroom-management…