ACACamps
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Jun 14, 2005, 12:39 PM
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Camp Gives Kids a World of Good
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
CONTACT:
American Camp Association
Kim Bruno
Public Relations
765-349-3309
pr@ACAcamps.org
www.ACAcamps.org
Children and Camp: Comprehensive study finds many benefits
Orlando, Florida, February 23, 2005
Children who go to camp gain positive identity, social skills, and positive values and spirituality — as well as increased physical and thinking skills.
Those are just some of the findings of the largest research study of camper outcomes ever conducted in the United States. The results are being released this week at The American Camp Association’s (ACA) National Conference in Orlando, Florida. Nearly 2,000 camp professionals, directors, and youth development experts, representing 700 camps and organizations from around the country, are learning the results of the Youth Development Outcomes of the Camp Experience research project. The study was conducted by The American Camp Association in collaboration with Philliber Research Associates and was supported in part by a generous grant from Lilly Endowment Inc.
5,000 families participated.
80 ACA-accredited camps took part in this groundbreaking study.
Parents, camp staff, and children ages 8 to 14 completed customized surveys.
Study participants were surveyed before, after, and 6 months following their camp stay.
All three sources — parents, staff, and children themselves — reported increases in the four central domains of development the study was designed to measure: positive identity, social skills, positive values and spirituality, and physical and thinking skills. Equally as powerful is that children and their parents say the gains made during summer camp were maintained after the children returned home.
“As camp directors, we have always known that ‘camp gives kids a world of good,’” states Marla Coleman, ACA National President. “Now, with our landmark outcomes research, we can finally corroborate all our anecdotal evidence and state unequivocally that the camp experience clearly is a vital component of the educational process.”
96 % of campers reported camp helped them make new friends.
92 % of campers stated that camp helped them feel better about themselves.
74 % of campers said that they did things that they were afraid to do at first.
76 % of camper parents confirmed their child gained more self-confidence.
“This research heralds a new epoch in camp, where youth development professionals are guided by evidence and experience — the science tells us what our hearts have always known. Camp is a powerful, positive growth experience,” shares Dr. Chris Thurber, licensed child psychologist.
You can download this study at: www.ACAcamps.org/research/research_book.pdf. For inquiries or a paper copy, contact Kim Bruno at kbruno@ACAcamps.org. For general information about ACA, visit us at: www.ACAcamps.org.
Founded in 1910, the American Camp Association is a national community of camp professionals and is dedicated to enriching the lives of children and adults through the camp experience. ACA is the only organization that accredits all types of camps based upon 300 national standards for health and safety. For more information, visit www.ACAcamps.org.
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American Camp Association
5000 State Road 67 North
Martinsville, IN 46151-7902
Map to ACA
Phone: 765-342-8456
Fax: 765-342-2065
Web: www.ACAcamps.org
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