AMERICAN CAMPING ASSOCIATION (ACA) CO-SPONSORS FIRST NATIONWIDE STUDY OF INCLUSIVE OUTDOOR PROGRAMS
(The National Inclusive Camp Practices (NICP) Study-1997-2000)

The American Camping Association is collaborating with the Institute for Career and Leisure Development (ICLD) on the National Inclusive Camp Practices (NICP) study of youth with and without disabilities in resident mainstream (i.e., inclusionary) camp and outdoor school programs. The NICP study represents the first such research conducted nationwide that will employ validated instrumentation to determine the effects of inclusionary practices on the affective and skill development of youth (with and without disabilities) who participate together in resident outdoor programs. Conducted from 1997-2000, the NICP study will be carried out in 16 ACA accredited resident camps and outdoor school sites nationwide, and include parents, administrators, counselors/staff, and approximately 1,000 youth (50% with and 50 % without disabilities), ages 7-18. Funded by the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Special Education Programs, Field-Initiated Research, to the ICLD, the NICP research will be headed by a team of experienced researchers with prior related experience in nationwide evaluation. The NICP study, focusing on participants in inclusive programs, represents Phase II of a continued national effort by the ICLD (in collaboration with ACA) to determine the impact of resident outdoor experiences on youth. During Phase I of such research, 1993-96, ICLD's National Camp Evaluation Project (NCEP) developed and utilized validated instrumentation to study the benefits of outdoor programming in specialized resident camps (ACA accredited) serving persons with disabilities. The NCEP, using over 2000 subjects nationwide, substantiated that youth with disabilities made significant gains (i.e., self-esteem, social skills, recreation skills, independence) in such camps. The current NICP research (1997-2000) moves to the next logical area of inquiry, the use of valid instrumentation to determine what outcomes accrue to youth with disabilities in mainstream (inclusive) camp/outdoor school programs (resident & ACA accredited), plus what outcomes accrue to youth without disabilities. The NICP research responds directly to the lack of knowledge regarding inclusionary practices and their effects on such youth. The research will provide numerous benefits to persons and programs participating in the research, plus other interested persons and organizations nationwide. ICLD, ACA, and selected participating agencies/organizations will cooperate in communicating project findings and related information over the 3 year period via conferences, workshops, publications, and the Internet to include: a) highlights of inclusionary program practices being employed, b) research updates on the effects of inclusionary practices on the growth and development of youth with and without disabilities, c) outcomes that accrue to youth with disabilities compared to those without disabilities, d) knowledge about successful evaluation procedures, e) reviews of validated instruments for use in mainstream outdoor programs, f) analysis of inclusive "best practices" identified across outdoor programs, g) effects of various inclusionary practices on youth attending camps compared to outdoor school programs, h) implications for administrators interested in such programs, i) implications for staff training on inclusion, j) establishment of a national network of inclusionary outdoor programs, and k) strategies and materials for communicating benefits of inclusionary outdoor experiences to various constituents. Steve Brannan, EdD NICP Project Director Phone: 503-239-1077 Fax: 503-239-1166 e-mail: brannan@teleport.com