Bibliographies of Camp-related Research

Does Camping Really Lead to Changes in Self-Esteem?
Rawson, H.E. and McIntosh, D.
Camping Magazine, 63.6 (1991), 18-20

Purpose:
Determine the effects of a very structured and intensive camp program using specific behavior modification techniques on childrens' self-esteem.

Sample:
111 boys, 16 girls ages 6-12, normal intelligence, low socioeconomic backgrounds, severe behavioral problems

Methods/Instruments:
Pre-test on first day, post-test on last full day, control group (similar ages & socioeconomic background, no camp program participation) measured on pre-test and post-test eight days apart. Data Analysis: t-test for dependent sample

Methods:

Four sequential 10- day sessions. Campers divided into units by ages. Sessions 1 & 2: 4 units of 7-9 boys ages 9-11, Sessions 3 & 4: 3 units of boys age 10 and 1 unit of girls ages 7.
Campers studied school subjects in the morning (group and individual tutoring), participated in cooperative group problem-solving activities and activities designed to promote learning to cope with competition in the afternoon.

Behavior Modification Techniques:

frequent verbal praise from staff
continual physical gestures of approval and affection from staff
frequent success experiences in "earning" special camp activities
frequent peer group recognition for success
public ceremonial awards for successes

Instrument: Culture-Free Self-Esteem Inventory for Children, Form B (SEI), measuring general, academic, social, and parental self-esteem.

Results:

Significant increase in general self-esteem and academic self-esteem for entire sample on post-test
No significant changes between pre-and post-test for control group
Significant general self-esteem increase for 9 year old boys
Significant academic self-esteem increase for 11 year old boys
Significant increase in general, academic, and parental self-esteem for 10 year old boys and girls
No significant increases in general, academic, or parental self-esteem for 7 year old boys and girls
Lack of changes in the control group suggests that the self-esteem changes in the camp group were a result of participation in the specialized program. There was support for the hypothesis that academic self-esteem is raised as a result of camp programs that include academic activities. There was little or no support for the hypothesis that social or parental self-esteem would be raised.