Building good character in today's youth is an adult issue because children learn values from adults. Adults must demonstrate the core values: trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring, and citizenship. Camps have developed expertise in character development and can provide leadership in the community in character education.…

Teen risk-taking is normal, healthy developmental behavior. Teens act out their fantasies--good and bad--at camp because it is a safe place away from parents. Signs of unhealthy risk-taking, camp staff responses, and how the September 11 tragedy might affect risk-taking are discussed. Sidebars describe tips for understanding adolescent behavior…

For over 50 years Catherine Hammett has dedicated her life to the development of organized camping. She started at the ground level as a Girl Scout camper, became a counselor, joined the Girl Scout National Staff, became a camp director, author, and an American Camping Association president. (JHZ)