Recreational Camp Research Articles

Contributing to 'a sense of purpose' - Evaluating consumer recovery progress after attending a therapeutic-recreation intervention programme: A quantitative analysis.

The recommended objective for mental health plans and policies is the adoption of recovery approaches to mental healthcare. Mental health recovery is no longer defined by symptom resolution but as a journey towards a meaningful life from the consumer's own perspective. Recovery approaches focus on consumers' strengths, feelings of well-being and the achievement of personal goals. Designing recovery-oriented interventions is crucial for supporting people in their personal recovery journey. This study sought to evaluate how attending a recovery-oriented intervention impacts the recovery of attending people living with serious mental illness. A quasi-experimental approach was utilised to examine changes in self-reported recovery progress in a purposive sample of consumers living with enduring mental illness (N = 105). Recovery progress was evaluated via the Recovery Assessment Scale - Domains and Stages (RAS-DS). Data were collected at entry and exit to a therapeutic recreation programme grounded in principles of recovery-oriented care and social contact theory. Pre-post scores were analysed via a repeated-measures multivariate analysis of variance (RM-MANOVA) per the four RAS-DS recovery domains. After attending the therapeutic recreation programme, consumer recovery scores significantly increased in the functional, personal, and social recovery RAS-DS domains as measured by 'Doing Things I Value', 'Looking Forward', and 'Connecting and Belonging' (respectively). No changes were observed to consumers' clinical recovery progress, as assessed via the recovery domain 'Mastering my Illness'. The results of this study demonstrate that therapeutic recreation camps can provide a recovery-based approach to mental healthcare, with positive effects on the three areas of: a purposeful life; connection and belonging; and optimism and hope. Recovery Camp has been previously identified by the Productivity Commission as having potential person-centred recovery benefits for mental health consumers. The results of this study now establish these benefits as evidence based and can be used to guide mental health practice and policy for the implementation of therapeutic recreation camps for mental health recovery.

Бизнес-лагерь как эффективная модель развития управленческих компетенций руководителей детских загородных лагерей

The article examines changes that have taken place in the field of children's recreational activities in a market-based economy and the new economic realities that they have brought about. The author compares the way in which the children's recreational system functions and develops in a planned economy with that in a market economy. The article emphasizes the important roles played by the leaders of suburban сhildren's camps, and the changes that are needed to adapt to new realities. The article analyses the new requirements for professional and managerial skills of leaders of children's health camps, as well as discusses issues related to traditional methods of training for country camp managers and suggests more effective ways to develop the professional skills of the management team at children's country camps. The article also describes trends in the decline in the number of children's recreational facilities and how these processes are influenced by the level of expertise of the head of a children's recreational camp. In detail, the article examines the business camp model and its efficacy in terms of developing and enhancing the professional and managerial skills of the head of a health-focused children's camp. Building on research conducted by Russian and international scholars, the author proposes a model of leadership competencies tailored to the specific needs of this field. The article identifies the essential skills that require development for the current leaders of children's camps in suburban areas. The author presents the findings of a study on this model for professional skill development, which demonstrate an improvement in the quality of services provided and a positive trend in the improvement of the management system at a children's camp.

Results of glycaemic control on exertion in children with type 1 diabetes mellitus in FOX children's recreational camp settings

ANO “Children’s Camp FOX CAMP (Lager’ Lisonok)” has been operating in Russia since 2019. Changes of observations in the Moscow region, Sochi, Kaliningrad region, Sochi, Gelendzhik, Chelyabinsk region, Altai. In the period from 2019 to 2022, 796 children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes mellitus (DM1) visited the shifts and active tours of the ANO “Children’s Camp FOKS CAMP (Lager’ Lisonok)”. The priority of children’s recreation is a focus on increased activity: marathons at various distances, football matches, basketball, alpine skiing and long hikes in the mountains, rafting. It is known that activity in patients with type 1 diabetes increases sharply by the level of blood increase, by a decrease in this indicator. In order, to prevent the development of hypoglycemia during heavy exercise, it is very important to quickly determine blood glucose using a glucometer and take the necessary measures to stop it. Thus, the presence of sufficient shifts is necessary to quickly and accurately carry out self-monitoring, sometimes in various and difficult conditions (on mountain trails, on a suspension bridge, when rafting on a mountain river, on the beach). This article presents the development of events on elevated blood levels in children and adolescents with DM1 in the conditions of the marathon, running at various distances in the conditions of the summer shift in the Moscow region of the children’s health camp ANO “Children’s Camp FOX CAMP (Lager’ Lisonok)”.

Adventure Recreation Camp: An Informal Education Methodology Used to Educate Youth

This study focuses on the informal learning methods that take place in an 8-day structured summer camp. The Appalachian GeoSTEMCamp infused outdoor adventure recreation with geology using an informal-formal learning methodology. The camp was designed to instruct middle school/high school students on earth and environmental sciences in a way that is challenging and interesting, promoting critical and creative thinking. The data adds to a growing body of literature suggesting informal education has an established place in STEM education.

РЕНОВАЦІЯ ДИТЯЧИХ ТАБОРІВ

The article deals with the relevance of the renovation of children's camps, the development of new approaches to design and their modernization, which is related to the moral and physical wear and tear of existing children's recreation camps. The main tasks for recreation and use of the territories of children's camps are defined.Today, children's camps quite often undergo renovation, which is caused by the non-compliance of the existing buildings and structures of the camp territory with modern standards and requirements. Renovation is a modern alternative to demolishing buildings and building new ones. It allows you to save time and material costs and allows you to adapt existing buildings to modern needs.In the article, the general vectors of recreation development are formed, which are aimed at solving tasks related to the review of the planning, functional and temporary use of the territory of recreation camps. The main ones are: multi-functionality, barrier-free environment, social communicability, self-scaling, architectural and artistic design, beautification of the territory, environmental friendliness, implementation of partnership development, and year-round. Examples of the combination of development vectors in the renovation of children's camps are also given, which show that the camp can be modern, multifunctional, ecological and interesting

ОСОБЛИВОСТІ РОЗВИТКУ АРХІТЕКТУРИ РЕКРЕАЦІЙНИХ ЗАКЛАДІВ ДЛЯ ДІТЕЙ В ОДЕСЬКІЙ ОБЛАСТІ

The article is devoted to the study of regional problems of architecture and urban planning of Odesa region for recreation of children and youth. Development of the recreational and tourist potential of Odesa region. Analysis of the development of children's recreation camps on the Black Sea and generalization of the material obtained. In the literature on architecture and urban planning, the investigated issues are not sufficiently covered. State Building Regulations, dedicated to the design of recreation and health facilities for children and adolescents, was not developed in Ukraine. The goal of the study - identify the problems and outline the prospects for the development of the architecture of recreational facilities for children and youth in the conditions of the Odesa agglomeration. Mark the recreational resources of the considered territories and ways of their use by architectural and town-planning techniques. Study tasks: - study of domestic and foreign experience in the construction and operation of children's recreation camps; - analysis of the current state of children's recreation camps on the Black Sea coast of Odesa region; - to determine the architectural and urban planning and engineering tasks of solving the identified problems. Conclusion: for recreational and resort use, the Odesa region has such favorable features as: climate (steppe), good aeration, small groves where a recreational zone has historically developed, cultural environment, transport accessibility. In the Odesa region, it is necessary to support the preserved sanatorium-resort facilities, to develop the construction of new boarding houses, holiday homes, hotel chains, multifunctional complexes with various types of services (entertainment, sports, health). Currently, 17 children’s health camps, 3 children's sanatoriums and temporarily organized thematic camps are operating in the Odesa region. The issue of student recreation is under study. Special attention should be paid to the preservation and new construction of recreational facilities for children and youth.

The impact of therapeutic recreation camps in the United Kingdom on the wellbeing of youth with serious illness and disability: A qualitative investigation

PurposeTherapeutic recreation (TR) summer camps can provide psychosocial benefits for children and young people (CYP) with chronic illness. At present however, there is a lack of recent research in the UK investigating the impacts of such camps. This study aimed to investigate experiences of a TR summer camp in the UK for CYP with chronic illnesses or disabilities. Specifically, it aimed to assess both children's and parents' perceptions of camp, to understand the impact on CYP's psychological wellbeing, social functioning and self-esteem; and the experiences of attending a camp specifically for CYP with health challenges. Design and methodsSemi-structured interviews were conducted (N = 21; 11 parents, 10 children). Data were analysed thematically. ResultsAnalysis produced themes in three broad domains: experiences of social marginalisation and emotional problems outside camp; experiences of camp; and impacts of camp. Impacts included improved self-confidence; gain in self-worth and positive self-identity; changing attitude towards their health condition; and development of social skills and independence. One of the most commonly reported themes was the value of friendships formed and maintained at camp. Parents and CYP reported predominantly positive experiences of camps, feelings of happiness, inclusivity and enablement, and a strong sense of empowerment in contrast to their usual feelings of being marginalised or different. ConclusionsThis study provides rich insights into the experiences and impact of TR camps for CYP with chronic illness. Practice implicationsFindings can help practitioners and commissioners make informed recommendations to families regarding the potential benefits of camp.

Zberezhennia i zakhyst tradytsiinykh simeinykh tsinnostei yak forma sotsialnoho sluzhinnia tserkov i konfesii Ukrainy

The article is devoted to the study of the phenomenon of social service of churches and confessions of Ukraine in the field of preservation and protection of traditional family values. It is noted that today, despite the ingrained understanding of the value of the family institution, respect for family values, trends of its systemic crisis are actually being observed in society. Churches and confessions of our country can have and currently demonstrate significant potential in overcoming such a crisis, taking into account the important spiritual influence on a significant part of society. It is established that in the Ukrainian context inter-religious interaction is carried out in this field, the state-religious partnership is fruitful. Examples of successful interfaith initiatives that had nationwide resonance are given. Aspects of state-confessional interaction are shown. Emphasis is placed on the active, personalized participation of churches and confessions of Ukraine in processes aimed at preserving and protecting the family, popularizing family values, and their institutional readiness for such activities. It is noted that the confessional initiatives are structured, have acquired clear organizational forms, and a variety of manifestations. Examples of successful formats for the implementation of social services aimed at preventing destructive challenges that can negatively affect marital and family relations, as well as formats designed to minimize, weaken, and eliminate already existing problems in family life, are given. It is about starting information resources, publishing manuals, creating specialized educational institutions; spiritual conferences, forums, symposia, festivals, marches; schools, family recreation camps, family picnics, quests, clubs, competitions; trainings, crisis counselling, thematic lectures, special training for cult ministers; organization of shelters, social centres, etc. It is determined that in Ukrainian society, the opinion about the social service of churches and confessions is established as an important component of the moral improvement of the institution of the family. It is found out that the social service of religious communities has great prospects for further approval and implementation, in particular in the aspect of helping to overcome post-traumatic syndrome and rehabilitation of the families of participants in the Russian-Ukrainian war; work with families who lost husbands/wives/children as a result of Russia's armed aggression; development of service among migrant families; consolidation of efforts to influence the development of comprehensive state policy, especially regarding migration; assistance in the rehabilitation of family members with various types of addictions; further involvement in popularizing traditional family values.

Short-Term Changes in Youth Physical Activity Behaviors and Attitudes: The Influence of Summer Camp

Changes in patterns of physical activity are common across adolescence and are often associated with psychological factors such as feelings of athletic competence (Agans et al., 2017; Dawes et al., 2014). However, although physical activity preferences and beliefs about competence and abilities are important contributors to participation (Sallis et al., 2000), these factors are rarely studied over shorter time scales or in the context of specific recreational environments. We therefore assessed the extent to which summer camp experiences may contribute to changes in youth physical activity behavior and attitudes, and examined factors associated with these changes. Data were collected from 309 youth (85% white, 44% female, average age of 11.6) attending three different summer camps in the northeastern United States. Camper survey data were analyzed using multilevel regression models to account for potential camp-level differences in physical activity experiences. Our findings suggest that youth experiences with physical activity at camp are not isolated from prior physical activity behaviors and attitudes, but that even one-week camp sessions can lead to changes for some youth. Specifically, overall physical activity levels increased from pre-camp to the end of camp, but camper demographics and pre-camp physical activity behaviors and beliefs were associated with participants’ self-reported activity levels, self-perceived athletic competence, and eagerness for physical activity at the end of a week of camp. We also found that many campers reported decreases in their enjoyment of physical activities with which they had prior experience, and this was especially true for teens with the lowest levels of physical activity at camp. Finally, we found that youth who tried more new types of physical activity at camp reported decreased self-perceived competence but were more likely to have higher levels of physical activity while at camp. These results suggest that summer camps can enable youth to increase their physical activity levels and change their physical activity-related beliefs, but that recreational camp programs do not affect all youth similarly. Camp staff should therefore be attentive to campers’ prior experiences, and seek to tailor their programs to better support the physical activity behaviors and attitudes of all campers.

Perceived impacts of a therapeutic recreation based hospital outreach programme (HOP) for children with chronic or severe illness: Qualitative analysis

BackgroundWhile Therapeutic Recreation (TR) camp programmes have been extensively analysed, less is known about hospital outreach programmes (HOPs). This study examined parent, volunteer and health care provider (HCP) perceived core features and outcomes of a hospital-based TR programme for children with serious illness. MethodsParticipants were either 1) a HCP within a hospital setting, 2) a volunteer with HOP, or 3) the parent of a child with serious illness. Semi-structured interviews were completed remotely and analysed using a reflexive thematic approach. ResultsNineteen participants (5 parents, 5 HCPs, 9 volunteers) were interviewed. Core features of the HOP included the importance of playas an anchor to the present moment and as a vehicle to challenge and grow, creation of a safe space allowing child and family needs to be met, and meeting families where they are. Perceived outcomes of attending the HOP included changing the focus from being sick to being a child, and developing a sense of solidarity amongst peers for both children and parents. ConclusionsThese results highlight the important contribution of the HOP in supporting children regain a sense of self that is greater than illness, allowing them to reconnect with their values and express themselves, while supporting growth and self-esteem.

Development of Inclusive Culture among Teachers in Educational and Sanatorium Type of Institutions

The relevance of the research on this problem is driven by the fact that currently, the Republic of Belarus is actively implementing the ideas of inclusive education. The inclusive approach gives every child, including those with special needs, the right to be included in the general education system at all levels: to research together with their agemates in kindergartens and schools, to attend clubs and studios, to rest in recreation camps. One of the key problems in the organization of inclusive health improvement is that teachers are not prepared to work with children with special needs. Therefore, the preliminary work on the development of an inclusive culture among teachers is the prerequisite for the successful implementation of inclusive practices in summer recreation camps. The aim of the paper is to determine the possibilities of using the diagnostic method “Inclusive culture of a teacher of an educational and sanatorium type of institutions” to research the features of the development of inclusive culture among teachers of educational and sanatorium type of institutions. The ascertaining experiment was the leading method in the research of this problem. The experimental base of the research was represented by the teachers of the National Children’s Educational and Health–Improving Center “ZUBRЕNOK” distributed into two groups: the first — the experimental group included 46 teachers who in 2018-2019 took part in a series of training seminars on the development of inclusive culture, conducted by the staff of the Institute of Inclusive Education of the Belarusian State Pedagogical University. The control group consisted of 24 teachers who did not take part in the training. The research was conducted in 2019-2020. The paper presents the analysis of the obtained results of the research on the peculiarities of the development of inclusive culture among teachers of educational and sanatorium type of institutions. The materials of the paper can be used when organizing monitoring research at different stages of implementation of inclusive practices in educational and sanatorium type of institutions when developing technology for the development of inclusive culture among teachers and other subjects of inclusive education.

The Role of Social Happiness and Vitality in the General Health of Teachers in Yazd

Introduction: Social happiness and vitality is one of the basic concepts and components of people's lives, especially for teachers, which is closely related to their public health. Therefore, the present study aims to determine the role of social happiness and vitality in the general health of teachers in Yazd.
 Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted on 250 junior high school and high school teachers in Yazd participated using cluster sampling. General Health, Oxford Happiness, and Social Vitality questionnaires were utilized for data collection. The data were analyzed using SPSS software version 23. Descriptive and analytical statistics, including Pearson correlation coefficient, regression analysis, analysis of variance and t-test were used to determine the predictors of variables. The significance level was considered less than 0.05.
 Results: The mean age of participants was 5.46± 31 years. The mean total health score was 56.12 ± 1.18. Among the health dimensions, the highest mean score was related to social health 15.35 ± 2.25. The mean scores of happiness and social vitality were 44.58 ± 1.57 and 66.01 ±5.57, respectively. There was a direct and significant relationship between social vitality, happiness, and general health (p = 0.00). There was also a direct and significant correlation between social vitality and happiness (p <0.001).
 Conclusion: Considering the effect of social happiness and vitality on teachers' health, it is suggested that happy lifestyle classes be included in the programs of the Ministry of Education for teachers in the form of in-service courses and recreational camps.

Therapeutic recreation camps for youth with childhood-onset systemic lupus erythematosus: perceived psychosocial benefits

BackgroundThe psychosocial burden of having a chronic disease can be substantial for adolescents with childhood-onset systemic lupus erythematosus (cSLE). Current literature is scarce on interventions that can improve psychosocial outcomes for this population. Therapeutic recreation camps have been proposed as a beneficial experience for chronically ill pediatric populations. However, their effective components have not been well characterized in patients with cSLE. In this study, we sought to understand the various components of the camp experience for adolescents with cSLE from both the patient and parent perspective.MethodsWe recruited patients with cSLE who had participated in one or more annual, weekend-long recreational lupus camp(s) near Dallas, Texas. Semi-structured in-depth telephone interviews were conducted from March-June 2020 with both the patients and parents. Questions focused on overall patient experience, psychosocial impact of camp participation, coping skills gained, and opportunities to prepare for the transition from pediatric to adult care. Interviews were coded and analyzed using inductive thematic analysis.ResultsWe interviewed 9 current and former campers (ages 16–24), including a current camp counselor, and 3 of their parents separately. Reported benefits included a positive impact on social support through peer bonding, opportunities to develop coping mechanisms through structured activities and peer/medical staff interactions, opportunities for education about the cSLE disease experience, improved adherence through peer modeling, overall increase in self-efficacy, and better parental insight into the patient experience. Participants also provided suggestions for expansion and improvement in program development to optimize educational opportunities for both campers and parents. In addition, they advocated for longitudinal social support and community building.ConclusionsIn this qualitative study, in which cSLE patients and their parents reflected on their experiences with therapeutic recreation camps, we found several perceived benefits impacting the patient and parent experience. Participants expressed a desire for more educational opportunities that could contribute to their successful transition from pediatric to adult care. Further studies are needed to demonstrate the effects of therapeutic recreation camps on the psychosocial health of this population.

Camping-related carbon monoxide poisoning: Knowledge and risk behaviours among young Saudi campers.

To evaluate the Saudi campers' knowledge and the applied safety practices regarding carbon monoxide poisoning during camping activities. The cross-sectional questionnaire-based study was conducted from December 1, 2018, to February 1, 2019, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, and comprised young male campers from recreational camps in the northern parts of the city. Data was collected from the participants regarding socio-demographic characteristics, knowledge regarding carbon monoxide poisoning, the applied safety measures to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning and the dealing with carbon monoxide poisoning during camping activities. Data was analysed using SPSS 22. There were 235 male subjects with mean age 24.47±1.139 years (range: 21-32 years). Of the total, 50(21.3%) participants had received civil defence education or training. Overall, 137(58.3%) participants had a good mean knowledge score, and 157(66.8%) participants had a good mean practice score for applying healthy measures in preventing and managing carbon monoxide poisoning. As a preventive measure against carbon monoxide poisoning, the use of carbon monoxide detectors was valued by 107(45.5%) participants. Having civil defence training, having a monthly income >10,000 Saudi Riyals, and having a good knowledge score were the elements that had significant association with the choice related to carbon monoxide detector usage. The campers had relatively high knowledge regarding carbon monoxide poisoning, but this knowledge was not fully translated into good health practice.

“Not Just Participants”: Military-Connected Children’s Perspectives of a Recreational Camp

Strengths-based approaches to research with military-connected children (MCC) are sparse and their voices are rarely given the equivalent weight and influence compared to the voices of adults. Recreational camps can promote positive outcomes, and this paper draws on qualitative participatory methods exploring MCCs perceptions of a one-week recreational camp. It revealed three key interrelated themes about MCCs experience: (1) relationships; (2) age; and (3) organization and scheduling. The findings support the potential of recreational camps to improve outcomes for MCC and the importance of including children’s voices in the process.

Changes in help‐seeking intentions among young people living in families impacted by mental illness attending Australian Kookaburra Kids Foundation camps

AbstractYoung people living in families impacted by familial mental illness are at increased risk of various negative mental and physical health outcomes. Prevention and early intervention programmes are useful in mitigating the risk of transgenerational transmission of mental illness. Therapeutic recreation camps constitute a novel approach to mental health early intervention and prevention for these young people, incorporating educational experiences within a peer‐based environment. This study assessed the outcomes of attending the Australian Kookaburra Kids Foundation camps for young people living in families impacted by familial mental illness. A pre‐post design was used with 237 young people between 8 and 18 years old. Mixed analyses of variance (ANOVAs) found significant improvements in young people's mental health knowledge and intentions to seek help using an anonymous telephone helpline after attending the programme. Results also revealed that males became more likely to seek help from regular contacts within their established networks after attending the programme. These findings contribute towards an increased understanding of the extant help‐seeking processes involved among an at‐risk population, with focused attention on subgroups who are less likely to seek help for their issues.

Reconnecting Youth to Nature: A Camp on Campus Model

Day camps are a powerful context for youth development. The American Camp Association and Leave No Trace have been integral in supporting youth development by identifying outcomes associated with participation in outdoor recreation. Recreation majors in the programming class used the camp as a service-learning component of the class that offered them valuable hands-on experience in program design, program facilitation, working with youth, and program evaluation. Therefore, this study evaluated the impact of camp on identified youth outcomes. The outdoor recreation camp was a partnership from a private school and local university. The Youth Outcomes Battery provided measures that focus on common outcomes (e.g., affinity for nature). Thirty-one of the 32 campers completed the retrospective questionnaire. The sample was 61% female, with an average age of 9 years. On a scale of 1 to 10, campers scored a 9.32 on Level of Enjoyment. Findings show that over 50% of the campers learned “a little” or “a lot” about the desired outcomes (e.g., affinity for nature). This work provides an example of an evidence-based nature camp.

Summer Camps for Schoolchildren in the System for the Prevention of Teenage Neglect and Crime in the 1960s — mid-1970s

In the 1960s and 1970s there was a significant increase in juvenile delinquency in urban and rural areas. The tightening of measures to combat it did not radically change the situation, and the country’s leadership began to pay great attention to educational work, which was mainly entrusted to the Komsomol. One of the priority directions in the work of the Komsomol in this period was the organization of summer vacations for children. There was a search and testing of new forms of work, which was expressed in the creation of new types of summer camps for schoolchildren. On the basis of a wide range of archival materials, primarily reports from the departments of the school Komsomol, the process of creating camps in the city and the countryside is analyzed, and the problems that the Komsomol committees faced in the process of this work are highlighted. First of all, there is a lack of funding. It is shown that the labor and recreation camps for high school students who were striving to exist on the principles of self-sufficiency, created during this period, began to acquire great popularity. At the same time, labor, military, sports, and tourist camps for adolescents registered in the children’s room of the police began to be created. In this regard, there was a problem with training counselors for such camps. The Moscow city committee of the Komsomol was the first to begin training counselors from among student activists. The analysis of archival materials shows that regarding urban schoolchildren during the study period, various types of camps were created for all age groups. The situation was different in rural areas. For the first time, inter-collective farm camps began to appear in the districts, however, they did not become widespread.

Turbans vs. Helmets: A Systematic Narrative Review of the Literature on Head Injuries and Impact Loci of Cranial Trauma in Several Recreational Outdoor Sports.

When in public, faith-based mandates require practising Sikh men to wear a turban which may not be covered by hats or caps. This makes it impossible for practising Sikhs to wear helmets and other protective headwear, mandatory in many countries and facilities for engagement in recreational pursuits (e.g., skiing) and on adventure outdoor recreation camps mandatorily run for school groups. The result is often social exclusion and ostracisation in the case of school children. Despite studies into the efficacy of protective helmets in some recreational outdoor activity settings, virtually nothing is known about the protective potential of turbans. This paper systematically reviews the extant literature on head injuries in several recreational outdoor activities and sports sectors (aerial, water, winter, wheeled and animal-based sports) and finds that the extant literature is of limited value when trying to understand the spatial distribution of trauma on the cranial surface. As the data do not permit to make inferences on the protective potential of turbans, future systematic, evidence-based epidemiological studies derived from hospital admissions and forensic examinations are required. Failure to do so perpetuates social exclusion and discrimination of religious grounds without an evidentiary basis for defensible public health measures.

A qualitative investigation of the impact that therapeutic recreational camps have on the psychological wellbeing of siblings of individuals with health conditions.

The siblings of individuals with health conditions are often overlooked, despite being at risk of experiencing psychological difficulties. There is a lack of literature investigating interventions which could promote siblings' psychological wellbeing. Therapeutic recreational (TR) camps promote self-perception and self-worth, yet there are currently no UK studies qualitatively investigating siblings' experiences of TR camps. This study aims to understand siblings' lived experiences of attending TR camps, providing a greater depth of understanding of whether these camps have a positive impact on siblings' wellbeing. Due to the paucity of qualitative research regarding individuals' experiences of TR camps, semi-structured interviews were conducted with eight individuals who had attended TR sibling camps. Verbatim transcripts were analysed using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA). Analysis revealed three superordinate themes. The first, an environment that facilitates autonomous challenge, demonstrated the importance of siblings having a place where they felt autonomous in a fun, care-free environment. This encouraged participants to engage in challenges, feeling determined to overcome them. The second, an inclusive and supportive environment, highlighted the importance of connectedness. Facing challenges and reflecting on this within a supportive team, encouraged a sense of belonging. The final superordinate theme, a transformational journey, revealed that siblings gained determination and a positive outlook to facing challenges in daily life. Additionally, they gained self-acceptance and a positive self-image, becoming more confident with, and accepting of, their identity. This study presents a novel contribution to the existing literature and highlights the importance of camp providers ensuring their TR model incorporates autonomous challenge, success and reflection. These encourage positive youth development and self-determination in young people. In addition, recommendations include implementing teams, promoting positive volunteer-camper relationships and implementing reflective sessions. These recommendations could potentially enhance the positive impact that TR camps have on siblings' psychological wellbeing.