Taproot: A Journal of Outdoor Education
Print Reference
pp. 5-13
Abstract
The focus of this article is the importance of camp settings in providing a positive climate for youth development outcomes. Camps may be one of the largest organized interventions for children in the US followed only by schools and churches. Camp programs serve an estimated 12 million campers each year, so they have the potential to exert great influence on many children and adults each year. Camps provide interventions in that camp staff members are trained to help youth change in posi- Fall/Winter 2007 tive ways. Camp offers sustained experiences, usually in natural settings that promote a "sense of community" or "family." Children are with camp staff for extended lengths of time (i.e., usually 1-8 weeks) and in the case of "resident" or "sleep away camps," are under the continuous care of the camp staff. Because so many children are entrusted to the care of these camp professionals each year, an examination of the desirable outcomes from camp experiences is essential.
Recommended Citation
Deborah Bialeschki, Karla A Henderson, and Penny A James
(2007)
"The Camp Experience,"
Taproot: A Journal of Outdoor Education: Vol. 17:
Iss.
2, Article 4.
Available at:
https://digitalcommons.cortland.edu/taproot/vol17/iss2/4