Recommends steps to improve camp directors' year-round effectiveness in the camping movement. Suggests establishing common vocabulary, emphasizing values of camp programs or "hospitality services," and understanding the relationship of the outdoors to the programs offered. Offers tips for broadening camps' year-round services as educational…

Relations between friendship and group acceptance were examined by assessing multiple dimensions of adolescents' (n=77) peer relationships at summer camp. Results indicated distinctions should be made between friendships and group acceptance and between positive and negative aspects of peer relationships. Both types of relationships are important…

Discusses how camps can survive by changing their marketing approach, organizational structure, and programming to meet the needs of the community. Profiles Wyman Center, a residential camp near Saint Louis, Missouri, that has prospered as a result of breaking with tradition and redefining the terms "camp" and "customer." (LP)

Provides checklists to prepare for camp opening. Covers such areas as health histories of all campers and staff, staff credentials, condition of facilities and equipment, staff training, horse stables and equipment, and safety of swimming areas. (LP)

Camp Fortnight brought 25 British children with cystic fibrosis to experience a 2-week camping program in Texas. Campers (ages 11-15) participated in wilderness experiences, a challenge course, fishing, horseback riding, creative arts, cooking, hiking, outdoor camping, and field trips. Profiles campers and their experiences. (LP)

Describes ways of improving communications at all levels of residential camp program. Discusses appropriate means of giving information to staff and campers. Focuses on director-staff communication. Emphasizes value of well-planned precamp orientation, ongoing season communication, and regular staff meetings and conferences. Suggests postcamp…

Describes value and instruction of vaulting, gymnastics on horseback, in residential camp environment. Emphasizes safety practices concerning ring preparation, warming up, and horse selection and training. Describes vaulter equipment, learning process, programs, and games. Defines 13 vaulting terms. (TES)

Among 157 staff members surveyed in 15 residential summer camps in the fifth week of the program, males had significantly higher levels of role conflict than females, and staff in small camps had significantly higher levels of role ambiguity than those in large camps. Role conflict and role ambiguity were associated with job satisfaction and job…

Communicates the views of a camp director concerning a romantic relationship between a 20-year-old camp counselor and a 16-year-old camper. Discusses the ethical problems inherent in a counselor-camper relationship; the appropriate roles of counselors; and the importance of maintaining firm boundaries in professional relationships. (LP)

Traces the development of camper exchange programs between the United States and the Soviet Union; notes differences between Soviet and U.S. residential camps; and discusses the benefits and future of camper exchange programs. Since 1987, 70 U.S. residential camps have hosted Soviet children and hundreds of U.S. campers have attended Soviet camps.…

The International Camping Fellowship (ICF) was organized in 1987 to promote international exchange and collaboration on camping issues. Since its inception, ICF has created a 10-member steering international committee that meets annually to coordinate its work. ICF membership includes more than 140 individuals, camps, and organizations. Lists the…

Describes the efforts of Christian Camping International (CCI), an alliance of Christian camping associations from Australia, Canada, the Far East, Latin America, New Zealand, United States, South Africa, Japan, and Brazil. The purpose of CCI is to help develop effective Christian camps, conferences, and retreat ministries. (LP)

Discusses the importance of systematically evaluating camp programs to provide the best possible experience to campers. Provides suggestions for evaluating staff, program, facilities, and administration in terms of objectives, outcomes, and standards. Discusses methods of evaluation and data collection. Stresses the significance of evaluation in…

Last summer, 400 elementary school students from rural Athens County, Ohio, spent six weeks attending a day program at Ohio University. Originally intended to feed poor children during the summer, the program now provides tutoring in reading, math, and computers, as well as enrichment activities and swimming. Parent aides can take one university…

The Mansfield Outdoor Centre (Ontario) is a privately operated outdoor education center delivering school programs for grades 5-8. The philosophy that humans and the environment are interdependent and all life has inherent value is delivered via residential programs that immerse students in situations where living and learning are inseparable.…