Abstract
Summer camps for children and youth are organized in different countries around the world. These camps vary in length and also in the sport or outdoor activities framing them. Czech summer camps, tábory, have a long history dating back to the beginning of the 20th century. Neuman, Turčová and Martin (2007) describe the specific cultural development of tábory, summer camps for children and youth in the Czech Republic with an anthropological focus. This current article examines the camp conditions, preparation and the role of camp leaders in the holistic program implementation of the turistika activities and outdoor games for these programs. It presents the findings of a survey of 69 leaders of the four main not-for-profit youth organisations undertaking summer camps in the Czech Republic: ATOM (Association of Touristic Youth Clubs), Junák (scouting), Pionýr, and Liga lesní moudrosti (woodcraft). The findings highlight the important role of the qualified, experienced and intrinsically motivated volunteer leaders who spend the entire preceeding year preparing these two to three week summer camps held in basic conditions. The holistic program design provides a pedagogical scaffolding and then culmination for the group of children, who have played outdoor games in natural settings and taken part in turistika activities throughout the year. The implications of these findings are that the ‘summer camp’ activities are unique to the Czech Republic and provide opportunities for children to ‘experience the natural environment’, and can also provide inspiration for the scaffolding and development of outdoor adventures and environmental programs internationally.
Highlights
Summer camps for children and youth are organized in different countries around the world and camp programs are widely discussed
The purpose of this paper is to examine the conditions, program content and leadership of summer camps for children and young people developed in the Czech Republic
The theoretical framework is based on a method design involving dramaturgy, which is characterized by the intertwining of a variety of social, physical, creative, and reflective/emotional games and activities in nature (Martin, 2001, 2011)
Summary
Summer camps for children and youth are organized in different countries around the world. Turčová and Martin (2007) describe the specific cultural development of tábory, summer camps for children and youth in the Czech Republic with an anthropological focus. This current article examines the camp conditions, preparation and the role of camp leaders in the holistic program implementation of the turistika activities and outdoor games for these programs. Hickerson and Henderson (2014) argue that youth summer camps in the USA bring most children an enjoyable experience, have the potential to provide ample opportunities for physical activity during the summer months, and bring several positive developmental outcomes (Bialeschki, Henderson, & James, 2007) These developmental outcomes include environmental awareness, positive identity, positive values, cognitive and physical skill building, social relationships with peers and adults, and physical and psychological safety (Henderson et al, 2005). The camps have developed their own indigenous holistic focus on being in nature, involving turistika activities mainly originating in Czech, which have the basics of activity and sport but are mainly about aesthetic, creative, cultural and other educational experiences, whilst moving and playing games in nature (Martin, Turcová & Neuman, 2016)
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
