CALL FOR PAPERS!
Schedule for the 2013 ACA National Camp Research Symposium and related events in Dallas [1]
2013 ACA National Research Symposium Book of Abstracts [2](PDF)
The American Camp Association invites researchers to present results of camp-related studies at a Camp Research Symposium to be held during the Association's 2013 National Conference from February 12-15, 2013 in Dallas, Texas.
Camp Research Symposium Submission Details
We welcome studies completed by faculty, students, researchers, and camp professionals. The focus of this symposium is to communicate the applications of completed research to camp professionals. A blind, peer-review process will examine the appropriate research designs, but the presentations need to be practitioner-friendly and emphasize the application of the findings to building a body of camp knowledge.
We welcome submissions on all topics related to organized camps but are particularly interested in studies that focus on:
- Qualities of camp: Processes and components
- Benefits/Outcomes of the camp experience
- Parental perspectives
- Staff development
The Camp Research Symposium proposals should include (and will be reviewed by) the following criteria: relevance of research to the camp community, theoretical framework, methods, analysis procedures, conclusions, and camp applications. The submission of research proposals is an online process and allows uploading a Word document of the proposal. The submission site allows for approximately 1000 words in 12 pt Times New Roman font. Graphs and charts may be included but should be limited as they are part of the word counts. The expectation is that the research abstract includes at least a minimum of preliminary results at the time of submission and that the research will be completed by the time the Conference begins. The proposed paper should not have been previously presented at another conference or published elsewhere. If you have any questions, feel free to contact Dr. Karla Henderson (Symposium Coordinator) at karla_henderson@ncsu.edu [3].
The Camp Research Symposium consists of two presentation formats: verbal presentations and poster presentations. The author(s) will be asked for a preference but that request cannot be guaranteed. A blind peer-review will occur of all submissions with no distinction made regarding presentation format. The verbal presentations will be moderated and will consist of 15 minute time slots followed by a brief question and answer period. Related topics will be grouped to form topical sessions. The poster session will be held in the exhibit hall for a two hour time block during unopposed program time. While the Camp Research Symposium proposals should include the traditional research details for the review process, the presentations should focus on applications and implications. If selected for the Symposium, presenters will be expected to provide an abstract and presentation slides to be posted on the ACA research web site for wider distribution.
Marge Scanlin Outstanding Student Research Award
Student researchers may want to submit their project for consideration for the Marge Scanlin Outstanding Student Research Award. This Scholarship is awarded each year to a deserving student who has contributed to the camp research body of knowledge. The purpose of the award is to encourage students to undertake camp research and present their findings at the annual ACA conference. A monetary scholarship will be awarded to the student whose abstract is selected for the Scanlin Award. The student is expected to attend the conference to present the research and to use the monetary award to help defray conference expenses. The student selected must join ACA, if not already a member. All student members receive complementary registration for the conference. For more information on the Scanlin Award, visit: http://www.acacamps.org/research/connect/scanlin-award [4] or contact Dr. Ann Gillard at anngillard@gmail.com [5].
Presenter Expectations
If a proposal is accepted for presentation, we expect the author to attend the conference to fulfill that obligation. People presenting their research at the conference are expected to register for at least one day. We appreciate the contributions made by researchers through their participation in the Camp Research Symposium and the conference in general.
Review Expectations
Summaries will undergo blind peer-review by a review team with expertise in camp and youth development research. Submissions for the Marge Scanlin Research Award will undergo a separate review process by ACA’s Committee for the Advancement of Research and Evaluation (CARE). Papers may be rejected due to ineffective development of the summary, weaknesses in the study design, lack of developed applications, or time and space limitations.
Submission Deadline and Timetable
Call for Proposals will close September 30, 2012 and e-mail notification of status will be made by November 9, 2012.
We hope you will submit your research for consideration and look forward to offering a premier symposium on camp-related research.
Click here to submit your research abstract for consideration [6].
2013 Camp Research Symposium is sponsored by Yellow Day Film [7].
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