FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

American Camping Association® Releases Youth Development Research Results

FEBRUARY 2005, ORLAND, FL—The findings of the largest research study of camper outcomes ever conducted in the United States are being released this week at The American Camp Association’s National Conference in Orlando, Florida. Nearly 2,000 camp professionals, directors, and youth development experts, representing 700 camps and organizations from around the country, are learning the results of the Youth Development Outcomes of the Camp Experience research project. The study was conducted by The American Camp Association in collaboration with Philliber Research Associates and was supported in part by a generous grant from Lilly Endowment Inc.

Eighty ACA-accredited camps from across the country took part in this groundbreaking study with over 5000 families participating. Parents, camp staff, and children between the ages of eight and fourteen completed customized surveys before, after, and six months following a stay at summer camp.

All three sources—parents, staff, and children themselves—reported increases in the four central domains of development the study was designed to measure: positive identity, social skills, positive values and spirituality, and physical and thinking skills. Six months later, the gains realized during summer camp were maintained, according to children and their parents.

"As camp directors, we have always known that 'camp gives kids a world of good,'" states Marla Coleman, ACA National President. "Now, with our landmark outcomes research, we can finally corroborate all our anecdotal evidence and state unequivocally that the camp experience clearly is a vital component of the educational process."

Ninety-six percent of the campers reported that camp helped them make new friends, 92 percent stated that camps helped them feel better about themselves, and 74 percent admitted that they did things they were afraid to do at first.

And parents confirm the positive results of the camp experience. Seventy percent of camper parents confirmed that their child gained self-confidence with 63 percent stating that their child continues to participate in activities learned at camp

"This research heralds a new epoch in camp, where youth development professionals are guided by evidence and experience—the science tells us what our hearts have always known. Camp is a powerful, positive growth experience," shared by Dr. Chris Thurber, licensed child psychologist.

You can download this study at www.acacamps.org/research/research_book.pdf. For more information on this study or to receive paper copy, please contact Public Relations at pr@ACAcamps.org.

The American Camp Association works to preserve, promote, and enhance the camp experience for children and adults. ACA-accredited camp programs ensure that children are provided with a diversity of educational and developmentally challenging learning opportunities. There are over 2,400 ACA-accredited camps that meet up to 300 health and safety standards. For more information, visit www.ACAcamps.org.

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