Camper outcomes increase regardless of session length: Beyond anecdotal evidence of increased competence, independence and friendship skills
Document Type
Article
Journal/Book Title/Conference
Camping Magazine
Volume
85
Issue
5
Publisher
American Camp Association
Publication Date
9-1-2012
First Page
6
Last Page
9
Abstract
Session length may not be as vital to the accomplishment of developmental outcomes as directors are anecdotally sharing. Interestingly, no empirical support exists for the conventional wisdom that longer sessions have better outcomes than shorter sessions for campers. Dimock and Hendry (1929) found that campers’ level of development in general did not significantly vary whether they were at camp one or two months. They cautioned that this finding might not appropriately represent the actual effect of camp due to limitations in the measurement tool. Comparably, ACA’s Directions (2005) reported that session length was not a reliable predictor of camper developmental outcomes. In other words, session length was not related to increased camper outcomes.
Recommended Citation
Roark, M. F. (2012). Camper outcomes increase regardless of session length: Beyond anecdotal evidence of increased competence, independence and friendship skills. Camping Magazine: Research. 85(5), 6-9.
