Reports on the goals, activities, and governance of Israel's network of field study centers. Describes the spectrum of program offerings that address the needs of various audiences. Also explains the educational, research, and public action elements of the system. (ML)

Analyzes methods (subjective, objective, or both) used by administrators to evaluate resident outdoor education programs. The 144 surveys returned (41 percent response rate) and 171 evaluation instruments submitted were used to determine what and who are assessed and how the evaluation is conducted. Includes a model of the evaluation development…

Seventh-grade students attended a weekend "camp-out" in which local scientists and college educators were used to enrich students' learning. Information on planning the camp-out and an annotated schedule of events are presented. (JN)

This collection of 5 issues of Imagine cover the time period from November/December 2001 through May/June 2002. Designed for gifted youth, the issues focus on dramatic arts, physics and astronomy, communications, law and politics, and robotics, and contain the following featured articles: (1) The Story of a Play (Gemma Cooper-Novack); (2)…

Morry's Camp specifically serves low-income and at-risk New York City youth by providing a maintenance and prevention program focused on the camp community, youth development, and education. Campers attend for 4 years, and there is a "post-grad" program for those who have completed the 4 years. The camp has a year-round component in which staff…

Discusses the development and philosophy of several school camps, with particular emphasis on St. Mary's Lake Camp (Michigan) and Camp Tyler (Texas). (CM)

The paper describes the purposes, organization, and preparation for the Greensboro Outdoor Education Program. It lists 20 procedures used in planning and implementing the program. Available from University of North Carolina, Center for Environmental Camping, and Outdoor Education, Greensboro, North Carolina 27420 ($6.00). (SB)

This study examined effects of a summer reading instruction program as part of an 8-week summer day camp experience for 61 disadvantaged first grade children. Two hours of direct explicit reading instruction daily were supplemented with a literacy-rich camping experience. Post-tests indicated the experimental group not only obviated usual summer…

The Ohio-West Virginia YMCA operates a one-week residential camp program for high school students that focuses on leadership, civic development, and community service. Students commit to performing community service after they return home. The program culminates in a youth-in-government role-playing exercise at the state capitol, where students…

In the late 19th century, camps in the Adirondacks responded to concerns that the American character was softening. Much camping philosophy came from the progressive movement in education. Aspects of Indian culture were adopted because they seemed to fit naturally in the Adirondacks, and children loved them. Adirondack camps have always been…

Describes "A World of Difference," a camp-counselor training project designed to help youth appreciate racial, ethnic, and cultural diversity. Discusses ways and importance of recruiting minority staff. Describes how training helps counselors to become comfortable with diversity, and to initiate education activities themselves. Describes…

At an archaeology camp program for gifted youngsters, students ages 11-16 built a mound with 5 archaeological levels, for future exploration. The "fake" mound ensured that student interest would be maintained, that students would learn about special problems and situations, and that irreplaceable bits of prehistory would not risk being damaged.…

Describes features of organized camping that are conducive to social learning, including the continuity and variety of the camping experience; planned, goal-oriented experiences; qualified adult leadership; and the informal atmosphere of camping. Stresses the role of small-group experiences as the most important aspect of camplife and social…

Describes the following summer camps that challenge children to broaden their world views: (1) Encampment for Citizenship (California); (2) Highlander Research and Education Center (Tennessee); (3) Camp It Up (California); (4) Timber Trails Camps (Connecticut); (5) Children Connected to Their Culture Summer Camp (Kentucky); and (6) Westwood…