Learning, Idea Sharing, and Transfer From a State 4-H Camp Counselor Workshop

Hannah K Epley,Erin S Dailey,Christy D Clary

doi:10.5195/jyd.2021.970

Abstract

Making eXtreme Counselors is a winter statewide camp counselor training workshop to prepare for the camp season. This training brings teens throughout Ohio together to help prepare them to serve as camp counselors in their own counties. Participants engage in competency-focused breakout sessions led by a variety of 4-H professionals, keynote presentations, and peer-to-peer sharing and interactions. To evaluate the workshop’s impact on the summer camping program, data from both teen participants and the 4-H professionals who worked with them were collected following the program for 3 years. Results indicated high ratings on gaining or enhancing skills related to leadership, teamwork, and the camping-related competencies covered in the workshop. In addition, the results indicated that participants shared ideas learned at the workshop with others and transferred their learning from the training to their performance as a camp counselor. Youth development professionals can adopt similar training strategies to enhance participants’ skills.

Highlights

A positive youth development approach focuses on qualities and opportunities youths need to become successful
Conducted since 2009, the ultimate objective is that camp counselors put what they learned at the workshop into practice in the camp setting. To evaluate whether these goals were realized, we collected data for 3 years to assess (a) if skills and knowledge were gained from the Making eXtreme Counselors (MXC) workshop; (b) whether or not counselors shared ideas from the workshop in their county-level camping program with peer camp counselors, adult camp staff, and/or 4-H professionals who serve as camp directors; and (c) if those skills and knowledge transferred to their role as a camp counselor in the summer camping program
The objectives of the study were to assess (a) if skills and knowledge were gained from the workshop; (b) whether or not they shared ideas from the workshop in their county-level camping program with peer camp counselors, adult camp staff, and/or 4-H professionals who serve as camp directors; and (c) if those skills and knowledge transferred to their role as a camp counselor in the summer camping program

Summary

Introduction

A positive youth development approach focuses on qualities and opportunities youths need to become successful. This journal is published by the University Library System, University of Pittsburgh and is cosponsored by the University of Pittsburgh Press. The camp experience represents a distinct and unique youth development setting (Garst et al, 2011; Garst et al, 2016). Camping is an important 4-H delivery model that provides many of the essential elements (Garst & Johnson, 2005)

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Conclusion