Calling All Campers and Parents …Dig Out your Camp T's on May 1, 2012 for the Canadian Camping Association's Camp T-shirt Day Français
Parents of campers to participate in a research project to determine how kids have applied their camp learning to their family, community and school life
VANCOUVER, April 26, 2012 /CNW/ - The Canadian Camping Association (CCA/ACC), a non-profit, national federation of provincial camping associations has proclaimed May 1, National Camp T-Shirt Day and is encouraging campers past and present to put on their camp T-shirts and post a photo on the CCA/ACC Facebook page (www.facebook.com/CanadianCampingAssociation).
"Camping season is almost here and as people pull out their summer clothes or do their spring cleaning they are bound to come across their old Camp T-shirt, which for many campers is a source of great pride and fond memories," said Harry Edwards, President of the Canadian Camping Association. "We are celebrating those fun camping days by asking all campers to post a photo of themselves wearing their Camp T-shirts on our Facebook page for a chance to win a great prize!"
Camp T-shirt Day also kicks off phase three of a five-year research study being conducted on behalf of the CCA/ACC. The study looks at the key learning that children derive from their camp experience and how those learning are then applied to their family, community and school life upon their return.
The CCA/ACC are encouraging parents of campers to complete a short survey on their observations - http://www.ccamping.org/index.php?id=3&nid=80
"For almost 125 years we have known that Canadian camps provide children of all ages with invaluable life skills and experiences in safe, healthy, nurturing environments," said Stephen Fine PhD., National Research Chair for the CCA/ACC, "We also know that camps contribute to the physical, mental, emotional and spiritual development of the campers plus they make lifelong friendships. What we don't know is how much of this learning is transferred to the home, family and community. Phase Three of our five-year research project will help us find the answers."
Fine continued, "Anecdotally we have known that campers return to their families and are more willing to take on simple responsibilities like sorting garbage and recyclables, cleaning up after meals and looking after younger siblings. And we know camping sets children up for success in their future lives in academic focuses, in social relationships and life-style choices. Now we hope to understand which learning are transferred so we can adjust our camp programs."
The Canadian Camping Association (CCA/ACC), www.ccamping.org, is a non-profit, national federation of Provincial Camping Associations representing over 700 camps across the country. The CCA is dedicated to the growth, development and promotion of organized camping for all populations in Canada.
Research highlights
In 2006, Professor Troy Glover PhD., Director, Healthy Communities Research Network at the University of Waterloo and his team conducted Phase One of the research that featured interviews with 6X Camp Directors in Canada to determine the areas of focus related to camper development. In Phase Two, during the 2010, over 1,200 campers were observed. The study showed that on average, the campers demonstrated significant positive development:
- Emotional intelligence - 69%
- Personal Development and Self-confidence - 67%
- Social connections and Integration - 65%
- Attitudes towards physical activity - 61%
- Environmental Awareness - 52%
The study also showed:
- Male campers may require more support to maximize the potential impact of camp in the social based outcomes
- Female campers started and finished the session with significantly higher scores in social integration.
- The oldest campers (13 - 18 years) showed the highest levels of development in social connections
- Gender, age of camper and previous camp experience were found to impact the degree of change experienced by the campers in different areas.
- New campers saw the greatest degree of improvement in social integration
The research also confirmed that appropriate support and expectations at each stage of development are necessary for each camper to reap the full benefits of the camp experience.
Stephen Fine PhD., National Research Chair for the CCA/ACC, "We know that campers befriend others who sometimes are individuals perceived as different from themselves, learn to resolve conflicts in a positive manner and have a sense of belonging and develop a sense of pride in their camp. They then have time to learn to respect and appreciate the world around them. They learn how to protect the environment and develop environmentally friendly attitudes."
Fine continued, "The environment exposes children to the natural world. This time spent in a natural environment is as essential to a child's physical, mental, emotional and spiritual development as eating and sleeping. And since campers live simply with simple routines, they use that time through planned activities to discover core values upon which successful lives are based. We are now very interested in learning about the behavioural change when children have returned from camp. How do their new skills transfer? Their parents are the best source for that information."
Media Contact: Paul Tyler, [email protected], 905-235-2731 or Victoria Ollers, [email protected], 416-822-2288
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