Purpose
This Project was supported by a grant under Field-Initiated Research
(#: HO23C30002) from the U.S. Department of Education, Office
of Special Education Programs, to the Institute for Career and
Leisure Development. Titled the National Camp Evaluation Project
(NCEP), the three year study focused on evaluating the effectiveness
of summer residential camping experiences for children, youth
and young adults with disabilities (ages primarily 7-21). In brief,
the NCEP:
1. Developed and utilized validated instruments for assessing
camper growth in both affective and recreation skill areas,
2. Conducted a comprehensive evaluation nationwide of over 2,000
campers in 15 residential summer camp programs specializing in
serving persons with disabilities,
3. Computed national norms for the project's two major instruments
using camper data generated from camps representing major regions
of the country, and
4. Disseminated the research results nationwide (in process).
Importance
In our country, organized residential camping is a traditional
and well respected type of recreation and leisure for children,
youth, and adults. Participation in organized camping and related
outdoor programs is also viewed as an effective medium for meeting
the diverse needs of individuals in our society. As a case in
point, specialized camp programs serving persons with disabilities
are well established, and the recent emergence of inclusive camps
is providing increased opportunities for youth with impairments
to attend camp. Many professionals have contended that residential
camp programs have a "unique" potential to positively
affect the growth and development of youth with disabilities (e.g.,
increased social skills, self-esteem). Professionals also agree
that limited research has existed to confirm such beliefs. The
NCEP originated in response to the need for improved research.
The nationwide study overcame some major barriers limiting past
research by: a) systematically studying the effects of residential
camp programs on camper affect and skill achievement, b) including
only camps that met similar program standards (i.e., accredited
by the American Camping Association), c) evaluating a sizeable
number of subjects from major regions of the country, d) including
campers with mild and severe disabling conditions, e) using reliable
and validated instruments appropriate for the camper population,
and f) adding parents/guardians to address the impact of outdoor
programming beyond the camp setting (i.e., generalization of camper
achievements to home and community settings).
Participating Camps
| Summer of 1994 | Summer of 1995 |
| Bradford Woods, Indiana | Camp C.A.M.P., Texas |
| Camp ASCCA, Alabama | Camp Courageous of Iowa |
| Camp Greentop, Maryland | Camp Easter Seal (West), Washington |
| Camp Harmon, California | Camp Thunderbird, Florida |
| Clemson Outdoor Laboratory, South Carolina | Easter Seal Camp-Lake Bloomington, Illinois |
| Hemlocks Recreation Center, Connecticut | Easter Seal Camp, New Mexico |
| Mt. Hood Kiwanis Camp, Oregon | Enchanted Hills Camp, California |
| Wisconsin Lions Camp |
Data Collection Criteria at Majority of Camps
1. Approximately 150 camper subjects with disabilities: mental
retardation (50%); physical impairments (25%) and other disabilities
(25%)
2. Pre/Post testing (Quantitative measures) of approximately 150
camper subjects at each site using the following instruments:
a. Affective Behavior Scales Disabled(ABSD): completed by parents
on their child
b. Outdoor Skills Inventory (OSI): completed by counselors on
their camper
3. Case studies (Qualitative measures) completed by research assistants
on 5 campers at each site chosen from the total sample of subjects
using the Outdoor Case Study Method (OCSM)
Success of Project
The camp directors at each site coordinated the data collection
efforts using a project research assistant to manage the the day-to-day
testing, monitoring, interviewing, etc. The camp directors, staff,
and research assistants were also assisted by NCEP regional research
supervisors. In addition to accomplishing the research aims, involvement
in the NCEP afforded camp staff, counselors, and parents the opportunity
to a) participate in a national research project, b) gain increased
understanding and appreciation of research and its potential,
c) further their knowledge of camper behaviors and evaluation
procedures, d) support their camp's mission to improve programs
and services to campers, and e) be part of a comprehensive research
project investigating the benefits campers receive from summer
residential camp programming.