Camp Participants Research Articles

Anthropometric but not motor characteristics of young volleyball players were improved after a one-week-long intense training sports camp

This study aimed to examine potential changes in the anthropometric and motor characteristics of volleyball players aged 17.98 ± 0.51 years after participation in a week-long sports camp. Potential changes in anthropometric characteristics were determined by bioelectrical impedance, and the players’ motor characteristics were assessed in a reaction time test, grip strength test, 5 × 20 s interval test on a rowing ergometer, and vertical, approach and standing long jump tests. A decrease was observed in body fat mass (difference (Δ) of 1.0 kg, p = 0.015), percent body fat (Δ of 1.16%, p = 0.008), and the waist-to-hip ratio (Δ of 0.02, p = 0.001). An increase was noted in total body water (Δ of 1.0 L, p = 0.002), proteins (Δ of 0.33 kg, p = 0.001), minerals (Δ of 0.12 kg, p = 0.003), fat-free mass (Δ of 1.46 kg, p = 0.001), and skeletal muscle mass (Δ of 0.9 kg, p = 0.001). In the group of motor abilities, a significant increase was observed only in the grip strength of the left hand. In conclusion, week-long sport camps can significantly affect the body composition characteristics of young volleyball players, but they do not induce significant changes in motor abilities.

SPLASH Into Fitness: A Swimming-Based Pilot Intervention to Promote Healthful Identities and Behaviors Among Preadolescent Girls.

Girls' physical activity and healthful eating behaviors decline throughout adolescence. These trajectories may be linked to the underdevelopment of exercise and healthful eater identities. Youth programs might consider prioritizing identity development as an innovative health promotion strategy, especially during the formative preadolescent life stage. This study examines healthful identities and behaviors among a sample of preadolescent girls who participated in SPLASH, a multicomponent youth program consisting of identity development ("I am an exerciser"; "I am a healthy eater"), physical activity, and healthful eating. SPLASH was piloted in a community-based recreational facility in the Midwest United States. Participants had differing levels of program access: all girls (N=32, age=10.6±0.8) attended a 1-week summer day camp, and a subset (n=16) received supplementary access to a 10-week eHealth program. Using a feasibility framework, we examined SPLASH's (1) preliminary efficacy, (2) implementation, and (3) acceptability. Girls' exercise identities and behaviors improved following camp participation. At follow-up, those in the camp-plus-eHealth group reported greater improvements in physical activity enjoyment relative to girls in the camp-only group. SPLASH is a promising identity-focused health promotion program for preadolescent girls. Community support and family engagement facilitated this pilot study. Programmatic impact should be assessed in additional communities.

Oncology Camp Participation and Psychosocial Health in Children Who Have Lived with Cancer-A Pilot Study.

Children with lived cancer experience encounter adversity, therefore experiences promoting psychosocial health are necessary. This pilot study determined the impact of recreational oncology camps (ROC) on resilience, hope, social support, and mental well-being in youth who have lived with cancer. Youth (6-18 years) with cancer experience enrolled in an 11-day session of ROC (Muskoka, Ontario, Canada) were invited to participate. Participants completed a survey [Children's Hope Scale (CHS), Child and Youth Resilience Measure (CYRM-R), Social Provisions Scale (SPS-5), and Short Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Wellbeing Scale (SWEMWBS)] on the first (T1) and last day (T2) of camp, and 3 months post-camp (T3). Repeated-measures ANOVAs evaluated differences in survey scores among time points. Ten participants (14.1 ± 2.5 years) were included in the analysis. CHS scores at T3 were lower than T1 and T2 (F = 9.388, p = 0.008). CYRM-R, SPS-5, and SWEMWBS scores were high but did not differ between time points. Hope decreased 3 months post-camp, suggesting a need for continued psychosocial support. Overall, the ROC environment is associated with positive psychosocial health.

A national longitudinal study examining social-emotional benefits of summer camp for early adolescents: Effects of attendance, dosage, and experience quality

Summer camp is a popular leisure setting with potential for promoting youth development. Research has found that attending camp predicts a range of social-emotional skills, yet questions remain about the aspects of camp involvement that lead to developmental benefits. Using four waves of data from a national, longitudinal study of camp participants, we examined associations between select social-emotional skills and three aspects of camp involvement: (a) attending camp, (b) time at camp (dosage), and (c) perceived quality of youths’ experiences at camp. Mixed effects models revealed that camp attendance and dosage were minimally associated with youths’ social-emotional skills, while higher-quality camp experiences positively predicted all social-emotional outcomes, even when accounting for child and family covariates. This work suggests that the best way for summer camps to promote the development of social-emotional skills among early adolescents is to create an environment that fosters belonging, supportive youth-adult relationships, experiential learning, and engagement.

The Impact Between Self-Efficacy and Community Engagement on Psychological Empowerment in a Gender-Focused Tourism Curriculum: Insights from the WTIDcamp 2023 Program

In numerous studies, psychological empowerment is considered crucial for assessing the extent to which individuals perceive their ability to shape their roles and overcome job difficulties (Speitzer, 1995). As an industry, tourism stands out as one of the sectors predominantly occupied by women, accounting for as much as 55% (UN Women, 2020), thus frequently utilized as a tool for empowerment by various stakeholders (Staudt, 1990; Scheyvens, 2000; Chevalier, 2023). Consequently, it is intriguing to examine how psychological empowerment is construed by tourism workers. The objective of this research was to investigate the influence of self-efficacy and community engagement on the psychological empowerment of participants in the WTID Camp 2023. WTID Camp 2023 is a program initiated by Women in Tourism Indonesia aimed at raising awareness among tourism students and fresh graduates regarding the importance of gender equality in the Indonesian tourism industry workforce. This study employed quantitative research using multiple linear regression analysis (Sugiyono, 2010), where multiple linear regression aimed to predict the fluctuations in the dependent variable when two or more independent variables were manipulated (increased or decreased in value). There were 56 samples comprising tourism students participating in the WTID Camp 2023, aged between 18 and 24 years. Data were obtained through questionnaires constructed using Likert scales. The results indicate that community engagement significantly influences psychological empowerment. Similarly, self-efficacy significantly influences community engagement. However, self-efficacy does not significantly influence psychological empowerment.

Understanding Parents' Views on Key Factors and Risks in School Holiday Camp Participation

Understanding Parents' Views on Key Factors and Risks in School Holiday Camp Participation

Correlation of the Transfusion Camp knowledge assessment test with clinical transfusion practice.

It is uncertain how transfusion knowledge translates to practice. The purpose of the study was to determine if higher scores on a validated Transfusion Camp knowledge assessment test were associated with transfusion order appropriateness. Eligible participants included postgraduate trainees and faculty physicians who had prescribed at least four transfusion orders in the preceding 6 months at two hospitals. Participant data and knowledge were collected using a web-based questionnaire with a validated Transfusion Camp knowledge assessment tool. The most recent 4-10 consecutive transfusion orders per prescriber were independently dually adjudicated for appropriateness based on published criteria. The primary outcome was the correlation between the score on six questions on red blood cells (RBCs), platelets (PLTs), and plasma from the validated test and the percentage order appropriateness. Generalized linear regression was conducted to determine if factors (sex, specialty, participation in Transfusion Camp, previous transfusion education, self-rated knowledge) were associated with appropriate orders. Seventy-four participants (45 trainees, 29 faculty; 31 females, 43 males) completed the test. Median score was 66.7% (interquartile range [IQR]: 50.0, 83.3) for six questions on RBCs, PLTs, and plasma transfusions. Of 546 transfusion orders adjudicated, appropriateness was 90.7% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 87.9%-93.0%). The correlation between prescriber test scores and order appropriateness was very weak (r = -.08). In multivariable analysis, female prescribers (p = .02) and beginner (vs. intermediate) self-rated knowledge (p = .01) were associated with higher transfusion appropriateness. Transfusion knowledge test scores did not correlate with order appropriateness. Factors other than knowledge are key to understanding how to improve appropriate blood use.

Integrating Heart Rate Monitoring Into a Camp for Children With Neuromotor Disorders: A Case Series.

This case series investigated the implementation fidelity, feasibility, and effectiveness of integrating continuous heart rate monitoring with visual feedback into an established, intensive physical therapy camp for children with neuromotor disorders. The provision of continuous visual feedback through color-coded, individually calculated heart rate zones was a feasible and effective intervention, encouraging pediatric gait camp participants to exercise at intensities that produced aerobic and functional gains. The use of technology facilitated participation with peers, an outcome equally as important as their endurance and functional improvements. Pediatric physical therapists play a crucial role in enhancing the well-being and physical fitness of children with disabilities. Encouraging regular exercise in a social environment fosters enjoyable, inclusive experiences while promoting overall health. It is important for clinicians in various pediatric rehabilitation settings to establish programs that offer such opportunities for children with neuromotor disorders.

ENHANCING LANGUAGE LEARNING ATTITUDES THROUGH GAMIFIED LANGUAGE CAMPS: A 21ST CENTURY APPROACH

Teachers are accustomed to traditional teaching, in which chalk-and-talk becomes the prominent approach in language teaching. Hence, planning a creative learning environment can be demanding as it comes with challenging tasks. However, the traditional way of teaching and learning can be inadequate for learners to retrieve knowledge in the 21st century classroom, as they prefer game-like activities rather than pen-and-paper lessons. Therefore, learners’ experience of using gamification in the classroom is significant as it sparks curiosity and immediate enthusiasm, which reflect the learners’ willingness to learn. Importantly, gamification prepares learners to be active and take responsibility for their learning. Fun games instilled during the lessons are believed to be more effective in producing positive outcomes due to learners feeling motivated to play more. However, learners would not realize that they are learning. This was followed by a selection of 108 respondents using gamification and a series of class activities in language learning at a local primary school in Kuala Selangor district, Selangor. The study was conducted using a quantitative survey method which involved administering questionnaires to the Language Camp participants at their respective schools. Data was collected, analyzed accordingly, and presented in the form of tables. The results showed that the integration of gamification in language learning aids learners to improve their creative, critical, and problem-solving skills. Likewise, interesting and engaging activities subconsciously spark the learners’ interest in language learning.

Integration of Mixed Reality Technology Into a Global Neurosurgery Bootcamp.

International bootcamps are important for providing access to advanced education and training to physicians around the world.In countries where resources are scarce, the opportunity to be exposed to advanced training and the latest technologies is limited. We set out to evaluate the educational value of integrating augmented reality (AR) into the curriculum of a global neurosurgery bootcamp. AR was integrated into this year's neurosurgical bootcamp in Hanoi, Vietnam, organized by the Foundation for International Education in Neurological Surgery (FIENS). Participants had not experienced this technology before a surgical adjunct.A study was conducted to evaluate how AR impacts the surgical approach to a cranial tumor for boot camp participants with limited neurosurgical experience. Without the use of AR, the majority of participants (66%) chose the incorrect surgical approach to a frontal tumor.However, after using AR to visualize the lesion in 3D, all participants chose the correct surgical approach.Additionally, participants were more precise when planning with AR as the distance from theskull insertion point to the tumor was significantly shorter with AR than without AR. This study demonstrated the potential of AR to improve the education and enhance the experience trainees have at international bootcamps.Importantly, it is our hope that industry involvement in these global initiatives continues to grow as it is critical for trainees in developing countries to be exposed to common as well as emerging medical technologies.

The effectiveness of active rehabilitation camp on wheelchair users’ self-esteem

Background: The Active Rehabilitation Camps (ARC) provide access to comprehensive rehabilitation. The main goal is to provide wheelchair users achieving the maximum possible independence in performing activities of daily living, to help them accept a new lifestyle, as well as comprehensive rehabilitation in the social and vocational fields. Higher self-esteem in wheelchair users help them overcome barriers in everyday living, increase initiative, improve their mental health and well-being.Aims of the study: The aim of the research was to evaluate the impact of Active Rehabilitation Camps on self-esteem of wheelchair users.Material and methods: 95 adult wheelchair users aged 18 to 75 took part in the study. 92 participants were included in the analysis (31 women and 61 men). The research tool was a questionnaire including first part with personal data and a second part - an international and validated questionnaire the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSES). All participants filled the questionnaire at the beginning of the ARC and after two-week camp.Results: The results showed a significant improvement in self-esteem among participant after camps, total self-esteem according to RSES increased from 28.32 4.99 before a camp, to 30.8 4.85 after a camp (p<0.0001). Our results showed that apart from general self-esteem, SE in such domains as “on the whole, I am satisfied with myself”, “I am able to do things as well as most other people” or “I take a positive attitude towards myself” increased significantly after the ARC (p<0.001).Conclusions: The activities of the Active Rehabilitation Camp including access to physical activity, health-promoting education, experience exchange and integration of wheelchair users, increase the level of self-esteem of Active Rehabilitation Camp participants. Systematic physical activities, social and emotional support, as well as appropriate education should be provided in everyday rehabilitation among wheelchair users to improve their self-esteem and everyday life functioning.

Empathy in an ecosystem: A longitudinal study examining contributions of summer camp and school experiences to empathy during early adolescence

This study utilized data from a national longitudinal study of 277 early adolescent summer camp participants to examine the iterative links between youths’ experiences in two contexts – summer camp and school – and empathy over two years. Using a cross-lagged panel model, the authors examined how the quality of youths’ developmental experiences within each context, defined as a combination of supportive relationships and engaged learning opportunities, were related to youths’ empathy over time. Results showed that 1) higher quality developmental experiences in each context uniquely predicted improvements in empathy; 2) youths’ developmental experiences at camp and school were mutually reinforcing over time; and 3) school experiences partly mediated the effects of camp experiences and vice versa. Results illustrate the value of out-of-school-time contexts for supporting empathy, the importance of developmental experiences across settings, and the need for researchers and practitioners to attend to the ecosystem of social development.

Authentic Learning: Financial Literacy in Postsecondary Bridging Experiences

We applied the most significant change analytical approach to explore what summer bridging camp participants characterized as valuable to their post-high school transitions. Through interviews, program documents, dialogue with program staff, curriculum review, and observations, our participants identified the curriculum on managing their personal finances as the most impactful and useful for their future planning. In this qualitative study, we used an interpretive framework of authentic learning to present and organize our description of the curriculum and find that both the content and the real-life activities resonated with students as they planned for their lives after high school graduation. Our discussion considers our findings in the context of school-based and informal financial literacy education and makes recommendations for authentic learning as a sound theoretical approach for designing financial literacy curricula.

Empowering young people-the impact of camp experiences on personal resources, well-being, and community building.

Personal resources and resources of the sociocultural environment help children and adolescents to successfully cope with challenges in everyday life, which is associated with better individual well-being. SCOUT, the 'Study on Competence development in OUT-of-school settings', investigated whether participation in a summer camp enhanced adolescents' personal resources, well-being, and readiness to contribute to the community. The research took place during the Swiss National Jamboree of the Swiss Guide and Scout Movement, a two-week event in the summer of 2022, with a paper-pencil pretest (beginning of the camp - T1) and posttest (end of the camp - T2) survey (N = 607, aged 14-17). Confirmatory factor analyses were used to examine whether personal resources, well-being, and readiness to contribute to the community changed over time, and structural equation models were applied to test the direct and indirect effects of caring support from group leaders on the development of these variables. In less than two weeks, camp participants demonstrated increased empathy, emotional self-control, optimism, and assertiveness. Furthermore, the adolescents reported more positive emotions, higher self-esteem, and stronger readiness to contribute to the community. Group leaders played a crucial role by influencing the positive development of well-being and readiness to contribute to the community both directly and indirectly through the promotion of personal resources. The findings indicate that young people benefit not only from participating in collaborative activities in a stimulating environment, but also from caring support provided by their group leaders.

ECOCOMPLEX "PERLYNA DZVINKOVA": POSSIBILITIES OF CHILDREN-DISPLACEMENTS IN REHABILITATION AND RECOVERY

The full-scale war, which has been going on since February 2022, has made significant adjustments to the normal life of Ukrainians,which has led to the need to consider and search for new opportunities for providing health care services and organizing leisure time, psychological recovery for different categories of people. Children suffer the most from the impact of war, because they are very vulnerable and experiencing traumatic events during war can lead to serious psychological suffering. The natural resources, including recreational and health, the available infrastructure of eco-complex "Perlyna Dzvinkova" of the Dzvinkove village, Kyiv region (Boyarska territorial community) were explored. The possibility of using this eco-complex and its adjacent territory as a health center for the rehabilitation needs of displaced children is substantiated. It was found that the area of the eco-complex has favorable natural resourcesand necessary infrastructure for the children's stay during the visit. This eco-complex provides the necessity for comfortable living, food, health and recreation for children. The main and specific features of psychotherapeutic work with children and adolescents as the main directions of the rehabilitation process were analyzed by authors. The activities of the qualified staff of the "Questy Camp" children's camp and other participants of the charity program, which provide rest and rehabilitation for children of war, were analyzed. It was determined that the proposed range of events for children: various quests, outdoor activities, English language and acting lessons, various master classes are suitable for rehabilitative influence. It was indicated on the basis of practical experience that one of the most effective areas of psychological assistance in crisis situations are: therapy sessions with experienced psychologists, collective games, communication with animals, hippotherapy and horse riding, the opportunity to master the basics of sailing. The main consequences of the proposed services of each participant's of the charitable project in working with children affected by traumatic events are emphasized. It is summarized that as a result of various activities based on the ecocomplex "Perlyna Dzvinkova" and activities nearby, children's anxiety decreases, their psychological and emotional state raises, their attention improves, and their contact with each other also increases. It was highlighted that ecocomplex "Perlyna Dzvinkova" with the available infrastructure and health complex can serve as a center for psychological and health rehabilitation of children. The obtained results allow us to state that the ecocomplex "Perlyna Dzvinkova" and the secondary participants of the project,who launched an initiative for the psychological rehabilitation of children aged 8 to 14 (who suffered from russian aggression on the Ukraine's territory)will allow providing rehabilitation and health services in wartime and the post-war period for migrant children.

Understanding Racially Minoritized Girls’ Perceptions of Their STEM Identities, Abilities, and Sense of Belonging in a Summer Camp

Informal science education researchers have become increasingly interested in how out-of-school spaces that offer STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) programs inform learners’ STEM achievement, interests, and affective outcomes. Studies have found that these spaces can offer critical learning and developmental opportunities for underrepresented racially minoritized (URM) students (Black, Latinx, low socioeconomic status) in STEM subjects. Shifting away from the leaky STEM pipeline analogy, researchers have posited contemporary understandings to explain why the minoritization of URM girls persists. Informal learning environments such as STEM summer camps are being studied to assess how URM girls experience and interact with STEM in novel ways. These environments can inform the research field about how URM girls’ perceptions of their STEM identities, abilities, efficacy, and belonging in STEM develop as they engage in those spaces. This mixed-method study used a multiple-case-study approach to examine how aspects of URM middle school girls’ STEM identities positively changed after participating in a one-week, sleep-away, single-gender STEM summer camp held at a university in the Southwestern U.S. Drawing on intersectionality and STEM identity, we used ecological systems theory to design our research study, examining how URM middle school girls narrate their STEM identities in this informal learning environment. Using quantitative analyses and deductive coding methods, we explored how elements of girls’ STEM identities were shaped during and after their participation in the STEM summer camp. Findings from our study highlight (1) quantitative changes in girl participants’ STEM identities, sense of belonging in STEM, and perceived STEM ability belief, (2) qualitative results supporting our quantitative findings, and (3) how the intersectionality of participants’ race and gender played a role in their STEM identities. This study points to the potential of STEM informal learning camps as a way of developing and fostering URM girls’ STEM identities.

STEM Summer Camp for Girls Positively Affects Self-Efficacy

Women and racially and ethnically minoritized populations are underrepresented in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). Out-of-school time programs like summer camps can provide positive science experiences that may increase self-efficacy and awareness of STEM opportunities. Such programs often use the same high-impact practices used in K–12 classrooms including relating concepts to real-world examples, engaging students as active participants in inquiry-driven projects, and facilitating learning in a cooperative context. They additionally provide opportunities for engaging in STEM without fear of failure, offer a community of mentors, and allow families to become more involved. We designed a summer camp for middle schoolers who identified as girls, low-income, and as a minoritized race or ethnicity. We describe the design of the camp as well as the results from a simple pre- and post-camp questionnaire that examined each camper’s relationship to science, scientific self-efficacy, and interest in having a job in STEM. We found an increase in self-efficacy in camp participants, which is important because high scientific self-efficacy predicts student performance and persistence in STEM, especially for girls. We did not detect an increase in interest in pursuing a STEM job, likely because of already high values for this question on the pre-camp survey. We add to the growing body of work recognizing the potential of out-of-school time STEM programs to increase scientific self-efficacy for girls and racially minoritized students. Tweet: Summer camp for minoritized middle-school girls increases scientific self-efficacy, a characteristic that may be important for removing barriers to participation in STEM.

Critical Competencies of 4-H Camp Staff for Achieving High Performance

Camps provide a substantial opportunity for youth to develop important life skills. Identifying and training staff on critical competencies are essential to achieving the desired outcomes for camp participants. The purpose of this study was to determine the most critical competencies of the 4-H residential camp staff for achieving high staff performance. The modified Delphi technique was used to achieve study objectives. The Delphi panel of this study consisted of 23 4-H camping experts from across the United States. This three-round Delphi study led to identify 15 critical competencies that will be useful in standardizing 4-H camp staff training programs.

Camping: a liminal space as a gateway to eudaimonic happiness

ABSTRACT Camping – a growing niche in the tourism industry – allows participants to have a liminal experience. Using qualitative methods, we examine camp participants’ perspective through the lens of liminal theory. The data were obtained through participant observation and interviews with 27 campers. Camp participants’ liminal experiences are grouped into three dimensions: (1) learning in liminal spaces; (2) increased tolerance in liminal spaces and, (3) the effects of liminal spaces on eudaimonic happiness. Learning and tolerance in the camping experience has the potential to foster happiness, even after the participants return home. These findings from the Turkish experience contribute to a growing literature on liminality in camps and tourism more broadly.

577-P: A Novel Program to Help Teens Manage Type 1 Diabetes during Physical Activity—Diabetes Training Camp Teen Boot Camp

Introduction: Physical activity (PA) has many health benefits in people with type 1 diabetes (T1D), yet adolescents with T1D engage in less PA than their peers and may struggle to employ strategies that allow them to participate fully and maintain glucose levels in target range. Diabetes Training Camp Teen Boot Camp (DTC-TBC) is an intensive 3-day program that includes education and workouts geared for teens with T1D and their parents/guardians. We aimed to determine if indicators of psychosocial (confidence in glucose management during PA, positive experience, barriers to PA) and health (HbA1c) changed after attending DTC-TBC in summer 2022. Methods: DTC-TBC participants included 16 adolescents aged 13-18 years (HbA1c=7.3±1.4%; 25% female). Most used a continuous glucose monitor (93%) and insulin pump (69%) to manage T1D. Participants completed questionnaires on the first day of camp (baseline), last day of camp and 1 month after camp. Paired t-tests were used to compare 1) mean 7-point Likert scale scores for confidence in managing T1D (1 = not confident, 7= very confident) before and immediately post camp and 2) mean scores on the Barriers to PA in T1D and reported HbA1c before and 1-month post camp (n=11). Results: Both parents and teens reported high satisfaction with the DTC-TBC experience; 100% of participants said they would recommend DTC-TBC. Confidence in managing T1D significantly increased (baseline 4.9±1.2 vs post-camp 6.0±0.6; p<0.0001). Teens reported lower barriers to PA 1-month post-camp (baseline 25.0±14.3, 1 month 21.5±8.0; p=0.170). HbA1c decreased by 0.26% 1 month after camp (95% CI −0.18, 0.70; p=0.106). Conclusions: Barriers to PA and HbA1c both trended towards significant reductions even with a small sample size, whereas confidence significantly increased. Follow-up at regular intervals and inclusion of future camp participants will help determine if DTC-TBC has a statistically significant positive impact on psychosocial and health outcomes. Disclosure K.M.Simmons: Advisory Panel; Provention Bio, Inc., Consultant; Dexcom, Inc., Provention Bio, Inc., Research Support; Novartis. J.D.Hall: None. H.K.O'donnell: None. J.P.Deblois: None. B.Tanner: None. C.Ferri: None. D.P.Zaharieva: Advisory Panel; Dexcom, Inc., Research Support; Hemsley Charitable Trust, International Society for Pediatric and Adolescent Diabetes, Insulet Corporation, Speaker's Bureau; American Diabetes Association, Ascensia Diabetes Care, Medtronic. R.Powell: None. M.H.Corcoran: Speaker's Bureau; Boehringer Ingelheim and Eli Lilly Alliance, Novo Nordisk.