The camp community understands that participation in camp produces a variety of impacts; what is less understood are the causal mechanisms leading to outcomes. In the past, research on the camp experience treated causal mechanisms as monolithic; this commentary argues that a weakness in existing camp research is the assumption that…

Research suggests that family camp experiences can enhance family relationships. Families often participate in family camp experiences for a vacation, as part of a therapeutic and/or intervention strategy, or to gain general enrichment or engagement. To better understand the impacts of family camp experiences on family functioning, a mixed-methods…

Camps have long addressed multiple components of young people's development, including spiritual development. In particular, transcendental communion with nature and the outdoors may provide one pathway for young people's spiritual development. The physical, mental, social, and spiritual growth of young people has been at the core of camps for…

Four keys to successful school camping programs are offered. (MM)

A British educator discusses the summer he spent as an American camp counselor. Discovers that in combining the roles of activity center, holiday resort, and place of learning, over 8,000 summer camps are an important part of educational process and significant formative influence on a large proportion of this nation's young. (NEC)

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…

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…

Contained are some of the instructional materials developed by the Science Project Related to Upgrading Conservation Education. Outdoor activities for elementary school children, suitable for use in camps, parks, playgrounds or sanctuaries are described. Programs are designed for one-day (K-4), two-day (grade 5), and three-day (grade 6) camps, and…

The purpose of this paper is to trace the development of camping and outdoor education in the United States. The early beginnings of camping are described along with the development of organized camps and the influences of urbanization on camping. The basic idea of education through camping is presented for each of the various types of organized…

This guide was developed to help the nurse in any outdoor setting or organized camp program serving children and youth to: (1) understand the responsibilities of camp nursing; (2) be aware of the nurse's relationships with the camp director and other workers; (3) relate the camp health program to the overall objectives of the camping program; (4)…

Written with the hope of improving communications within the outdoor/environmental education network, this catalogue lists 158 school boards or organizations and 40 camps in Ontario. It is organized by region and contains the following information for each group: Type of program (organized, incidental, residential, school based, elementary,…

Summarizes enrollment trends derived from a survey of American Camping Association camps conducted during the summer of 1986. Findings include greatest enrollment for New England with 75% of their camps filled to 90% or more, enrollment declines for the South and Midwest, and boys' camps fuller than coed or girls' camps. (JHZ)

Camp Tawingo (Ontario) started as a summer camp in 1961 based on the philosophy that through outdoor recreation and fun, children can learn about self, others, community, and nature. This philosophy has guided it through its growth into an independent residential outdoor center and an independent, small rural school for grades K-8, Tawingo…

This book is the primary text for the Certified Camp Director Program and the Basic Camp Directors Course sponsored by the American Camping Association (Indiana). It provides an orientation for new and prospective camp directors and a quick reference for experienced camp directors. The book covers the following topics: (1) an historical overview…