2006 – 2010 The Healthy Camp Study
Partnered with Alliance for Camp Health, we conducted a five-year study to benchmark camp-related injury and illness in U.S. camps called the Healthy Camp Study. This impact report summarizes what we learned (see page 24 for specific injury and illness prevention strategies). The Healthy Camp Study was honored with a 2012 American Society of Association Executives Summit Award.
Resources for Parents and Caregivers
Add this parent flyer to your camp registration packets to partner with parents to reduce injuries and illnesses at camp — A Healthy Camp Begins and Ends at Home!
Resources for camp operations and healthcare services
Some camps are using electronic records and incorporating technologies in a myriad of ways to support camp healthcare. Learn about considerations in the selection of camp healthcare technologies.
Other Resources
- Injury and Illness Prevention Core Competency Toolkit
- Concussion Resources from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
- Related books/DVDs from the ACA bookstore
2004 – 2005 Camp Program Improvement Project
The purpose of this project was to learn what strategies and approaches would help strengthen the experiences of youth at camp. This project laid a foundation for our ongoing program quality work.
We learned that camps of all types increased the benefits for campers by specifically targeting improvement areas and using a continuous improvement process. In fact, 83% of the twenty-three participating camps showed significant improvement in one or more dimensions vital to positive camper development. Simply selecting another camp’s strategies is not nearly as effective as using a process for self-examination that results in strategies that are designed by campers and staff and intentionally applied in the camp setting.
Innovations – View the full report
2003 – 2004 Developmental Supports & Opportunities at Camp
This study explored the developmental supports and opportunities campers experience at camp with over 7600 campers (aged 10-18) from just over 80 ACA-Accredited camps.
The results from this research demonstrate that camps, more than some other youth programs, provide positive developmental environments for youth, especially in providing supportive relationships with adults and peers, and in skill building. Findings also suggest that the value of camp for campers is enhanced by attending camps in multiple summers or for sessions that are as long as practical.
Inspirations - View the full report
2001 – 2004 National Study on the Developmental Outcomes of Camp
The precursor to our 5-Year Camp Impact Study, this national study included perspectives of 5000 families from 80 ACA-Accredited camps to determine the outcomes of the camp experience as expressed by parents and children.
Parents, camp staff, and children reported significant growth in campers’ self-esteem, peer relationships, independence, leadership, and several other outcomes related to social-emotional learning.
The findings from this national study indicated that camp is a unique educational context and a positive force in youth development, regardless of camp type or session length.