"Measuring Positive Youth Development at Summer Camp" by Jim Sibthorp, Laurie Brown et al.

Research in Outdoor Education

Article Title

Measuring Positive Youth Development at Summer Camp: Problem Solving and Camp Connectedness

Authors

Jim Sibthorp, University of Utah
Laurie Brown, University of Utah
M. Deborah Bialeschki, American Camp Association

DOI

10.1353/roe.2010.0002

Print Reference

p. 1-12. 12p.

Abstract

While research on summer camps has generally supported the benefits of organized camping for youth, increasing pressure exists for camps to document outcomes to stakeholders and to base their practices on evidence. This paper discusses the theoretical and empirical development of two measures relevant to these needs: Problem Solving Confidence and Camp Connectedness. The process of scale development included reviewing conceptual and theoretical literature as it related to camp settings. Items based on the relevant content domains were then generated, reviewed by experts, and pilot tested with 557 campers. Evidence from this pilot study suggests that both measures may be reliable and valid measures of their respective constructs. Implications for use and ties to the extant literature are discussed.

Recommended Citation

Sibthorp, Jim; Brown, Laurie; and Bialeschki, M. Deborah (2010) "Measuring Positive Youth Development at Summer Camp: Problem Solving and Camp Connectedness," Research in Outdoor Education: Vol. 10, Article 4.
DOI: 10.1353/roe.2010.0002
Available at: https://digitalcommons.cortland.edu/reseoutded/vol10/iss1/4

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