Summer Camps and Programs in the Development

¶ … Summer Camps and Programs in the Development of Children

The purpose of this paper is to represent to the reader the importance of organized summer camps and programs in youth development. A special emphasis throughout the paper is placed on the influence of recreation on child development and personal growth.

By defining the effect of the summer camp experience and presenting relevant statistics from reputable opinion leaders, this paper will reveal that summer camp programs play a significant role in the youth development. There are three key development areas discussed in this paper, which include social skills, self-identity, and physical / health.

There are nearly 10,000 camps in the United States accompanying over six million children each summer (National Camp Association). Summer camps have been an American tradition dating back to the early 1900s. The summer curriculum of these camps bring out the excitement of the season, while offering a myriad of opportunity for childhood learning and growth.

Some of the key positive outcomes of the camp experience as stated by Camping Magazine author Garavaglia-Maiorano include the following:

Critical thinking and inquiry skills used as primary tools to examine issues.

Campers learn and increase collaboration with each other.

Active learning replace passive instruction.

Continuous and spontaneous reflection occurs throughout the entire process.

Campers develop a sense of civic and social responsibility.

Participants serve and be served by their involvement.

Campers increase self-esteem and self-knowledge.

Campers develop communication, problem-solving, and social skills.

Garavaglia-Maiorano)

Particular camp influences are over social, interpersonal and physical growth areas. Camps allow children a safe haven to discover and express their individual character, learn about their social and environmental responsibilities, and to participate in healthy outdoor and recreational activities.

Core Development Areas

Social Skills Development

Social skills are critical to the development of youth into successful adults. Social systems involve information sharing, problem solving, rules and procedures, and inter-personal interaction with peers and adults. Each of these areas is prevalent in the camp environment along with an atmosphere of recreation.

Research conducted by Roper Starch shows that Americans value the role that outdoor recreation plays in addressing social concerns, particularly as they relate to youth.

Even in the case of tough social problems such as juvenile crime (71%), underage drinking (66%), and illegal drug use (64%), outdoor recreation is viewed by a strong majority as having a positive role to play (Roper and Starch).

A camp environment provides a vast opportunity for the outdoor recreation experience, while offering the expertise of camp professionals in the building of social assets. Specific assets include social values and competencies, the constructive use of time, the understanding of and control of behaviors, and the respect of social diversity.

Numerous camp professionals have noted social values and competencies as key development outcomes. Particular activities and influences of the camp experience that affect the building of this asset include the opportunity to make new friends, to have positive social interactions with peers and adults, and to work together as a team.

Not only do campers participate in team sports such as baseball, basketball, soccer and volleyball, but they are also often engaged in other social team building functions such as backpacking, camp crafts, rafting, outdoor cooking, and etcetera.

Team and community spirit is also fostered through work groups, assigned chores and activities such as collecting firewood, food preparation, and various other group functions. Campers and staff work together to accomplish the many tasks of daily camp living. In this cooperative environment, the result, in most any case, is a common sense of social pride, accomplishment and contribution to the camp as a whole.

The constructive use of time can be learned through the various camp activities that are outlined on a schedule. Camps are managed through day-to-day structure with clear boundaries and expectations. This process enables youth to better understand the necessity and value of the productive utilization of time.

The understanding of and control of behaviors can be developed as campers experience interaction with others under camp guidelines and procedures. Summer camps bring together youth from different racial and socioeconomic backgrounds for extended periods. This diversity provides great learning opportunities for young campers to understand the value of people, and to gain respect, honesty, caring and sharing capabilities. The idea is to accept and understand differences, to celebrate what we share and to embrace a peaceful society. According to research conducted by Roper and Starch, Influential Americans or "thought leaders," endorse the idea that kids who take part in outdoor recreation are less apt to engage in vandalism and other criminal activities (57% strongly agree versus 49%).

There are even a number of camps that have been created for at-risk children, including children living in poverty, kids with poor social skills, and children with alcoholic and drug abusive parents. These are children in which, according to Roper Starch, two-thirds are expected to be at high risk to make serious mistakes in life that affects them forever (e.g., drugs, teen pregnancy, low educational attainment, antisocial behavior).

Children who witness or experience violence in the home are more likely to become perpetrators or victims of violence later on. This means that children who live in homes where their mother's partner beats or sexually assaults her are at higher risk of being victims of the same violence themselves or of committing violence later on (U.S. Department of Health).

It is critical for our society to develop programs, including special camps, to aid in violence prevention.

One program example is Trail Blazer Camps, which "serves at-risk children and encourages the development of academic and social skills as well as self-esteem." The program focuses on hands-on workshops and academic development for children.

Other examples, such as New Horizon Youth Camp and Blue Star Camps, operate recreationally focused environments. Programs include fishing, hiking evening bonfires, swimming and pool parties, talent shows, and awards banquets for campers.

The purpose of these camps is to offer at-risk youth an opportunity for a fresh start in a non-judgmental atmosphere. As campers are expected to put their best foot forward, individuals are taught how to resolve conflict without intimidation and inappropriate behavior. Individuals are also able to participate in positive recreational activities, and most importantly, development efforts are taken to aid in violence prevention.

Individuals are also taught to be responsible, cooperative and to look out for others. There are a number of camps that operate "buddy systems" where individuals are paired up with other individuals for specific tasks or activities. One camp uses the buddy system for swimming. To make its lifeguards' jobs easier, the buddy system is instated calling for participants to keep an eye on their buddy. If a buddy needs help, the other buddy contacts a lifeguard. The effect of this program is instilling responsibility and accountability in individuals.

There is much to be said about the role of recreation in preventing violence and negative behavior.

Statistics show that students who spend one to four hours weekly in extracurricular activities are 49% less likely to use drugs and 37% less likely to become teen parents than students who do not participate in these types of activities (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services).

Camps offer the opportunity for attendees to gain a wide exposure to different people in different walks of life.

Campers come from diverse socio-economic classes, different backgrounds and different family structures. Therefore, the development of compassion and empathy for fellow human beings is a core social development area.

Camps offer children opportunities to share stories around a campfire, to contribute their thoughts, ideas and suggestions. As children acknowledge the thoughts and feelings of other children, it is natural to develop compassion for each other. Learning to be understanding, to be civil and accepting of other individuals will aid campers in social situations as they grow older and particularly as they become adults.

Socially, another value of recreation and summer camp participation is environmental awareness.

For children, often the outdoor experience itself has the greatest impact on social development.

Children learn a general appreciation for the outdoors. Children are taught the value of conducting themselves in a safe and environmentally responsible manner.

Camps offer the ability for children to explore wilderness areas, outdoor skills, plants and vegetation, animals and ecology.

There are also a number of other outdoor activities and adventures that aid in the environmental awareness process such as hiking and backpacking, bicycling, horseback riding, etcetera.

There are some camps that take the environmental approach a step further by specializing in outdoor education and nature studies. Examples include Barry Conservation Camp, Outward Bound, YO Adventure Camp and Westcoast Connection Outdoor Adventures.

Travel camps such as the Lost Coast Environmental Wilderness Trip in California offer remote wilderness experiences. Lost Coast features 30 miles of "roadless coast, forests plunging to the sea, creeks and spectacular beaches, bald eagles, and bears." The trip concentrates specifically on environmental education and recreation. There are other similar camps throughout California and Colorado.

Of course, there are also the traditional Girl Scout and Boy Scout camps that take place throughout the country. Each of which offer a wide range of recreational, outdoor experiences and adventures. Evenings are filled with outdoor campfires, music, games and stories. Children are responsible for outdoor and indoor chores on a daily basis.

Programs such as Camp Wilderness in Missouri have open tents rather than cabins where beds are covered by mosquito nets and where running water is not available. Camps such as these teach children to be resourceful and environmentally conscience.

Self-Identity

One of the core benefits of summer camps is that these programs allow children to explore their inner self and to recognize their own talents and abilities.

At summer camps, youth can participate in recreational, social and creative activities geared toward personal growth. By offering children some independence and a chance to be involved in experience-based learning or "learning by doing," camps often aid children in self-identity development.

While many camps place an emphasis on team sports programs, self-identity can be achieved through the individual sports opportunities that exist in camp environments. Individual sports program examples include archery, fencing, fishing, golf, gymnastics, martial arts, wrestling, track and field, biking, weight training and tennis.

There are also a number of camps available focusing on specific skills and talents a child may have or may want to explore. By exploring unique talents and encouraging the development of those talents, camps aid in personal youth development. Some examples of camps in this area include art camps, film and photography camps, and music and performing arts camps. There are camps that focus on certain educational areas as well, all of which incorporate recreation as part of the learning and fun. Some examples of these programs include computer camps, foreign language, business and finance camps, math and science camps, college preparatory camps, and law and political science programs. There are many other camps concentrating on special talents such as art, music, writing and painting. To go a step further, there are even "special interest" camps for unique hobbies and interests such as aerospace, aviation, ecology, seamanship, field studies, and community service.

While every camp is different, they all have on common trait, they are constructed to allow kids time to relax and have fun.

Camps offer a creative and stimulating atmosphere for youth to develop personal confidence, self-esteem, self-reliance, resourcefulness, and emotional health.

Through camp leaders' daily encouragement and motivational support, and the modeling of character in activity, children learn these attributes.

Self-esteem is considered important to healthy childhood development.

Camps promote a number of programs to offer youth athletic and academic development. Self-worth and respect are accomplished when a child is challenged with a task and when they are able to meet that challenge, or when children are asked to lead an activity.

Through personal involvement and positive feedback concerning these camp experiences, participants are able to develop their own individual identities, perceptions and confidence.

Camps also offer personal skills development that can aid a child in day-to-day knowledge and existence. As the old saying goes, "If you give a man a fish, he can eat for a day. If you teach him how to fish, he can eat for a lifetime." The same holds true for the many opportunities for learning and development offered by camp environments. Resourcefulness is taught through various skill development programs and recreational activities such as cooking, backpacking, arts and crafts.

Children are presented with activity choices, which allow individuals to think for themselves and make decisions. This is a critical part of self-development and enables the child to achieve self-reliance.

Through summer programs, not only are young children affected by the environment and personal development offered by camps, but so are teen camp workers.

One case example from the American Camping Association was a teen by the name of Jon who was a part of a support staff at a camp one summer.

Following Jon's experience, his principal and teachers noticed "a positive difference in his behavior and academic achievement.

He achieved higher grades, was involved in anti-drug programs, and experienced a decrease in problems both at school and at home" (American Camping Association).

Effective camps, whether they are day, sleep-away, travel or specialty programs, have the ability to offer youth attendees positive experiences that can have a significant impact on their lives.

Participation in recreation, skill achievement, and positive communications and interaction with peers and adults are some of the key contributors cited by industry leaders, such as the American Camping Association, for youth development and self-growth.

Physical / Health

Recreation is particularly important in physical and mental health. It allows children an opportunity to have fun, relax and unload unnecessary stresses in their lives.

A camp environment is a perfect area for physical and health-related child development activity.

Many summer camps and programs throughout the U.S. place an emphasis on sports and recreational activities.

There are a number of specialty camps that cater to particular programs such as basketball, baseball, football and various other athletics. Regardless if the camp has a sports emphasis or not, there is generally always an accent on recreation and physical activity. Most camps offer a variety of physical activities including bicycling, walking, hiking, swimming and team sports.

According to Roper Starch, an overwhelming number of Americans believe that if people participated more in outdoor physical activities such as this, the health effects would be beneficial (93%). Outdoor recreation, in fact, is seen almost unanimously as the best way to be physically active (90%) (Roper Starch).

Americans also see outdoor recreation playing a role in reducing childhood obesity: a full three-quarters of Americans see it as having a role in helping with this problem (Roper and Starch).

In addition to contributing to the health of youth in general, there are also a number of camps that focus on helping children with special needs, specific health problems and disorders. There are camps for diabetes patients, children with immune deficiency illnesses, youth programs for kidney disease patients, programs for handicapped children, children with chronic illnesses, camps for kids with skin diseases and so on. These camps offer a place where children can feel like they fit in and where they can share experiences with other children dealing with similar situations.

Special needs camps also offer a place for kids to "forget the pain" at least for a short period. These children need a break from the focus on their health condition, in a structured environment where they are free to simply be children and experience fun.