22 CAMPING magazine • March/April 2014 for chi ldren with chronic and li fethreatening illnesses, launched their own research project. Those results, cul led during the summer of 2012 from more than 250 families in twelve SeriousFun camps around the world, corroborated ACA’s findings, and added yet another reinforcing layer to the benefit of camp — SeriousFun camps enabled these children to make friendships and form social connections: There’s the “ah ha” I was waiting for! I resolved it was time to tell the story again! So, to my colleagues in the field of camp who I know will be just as excited as I am to have yet another science-based measurement tool for what we know to be true — that “Camp Gives Kids a World of Good” — sit back and take pleasure in these facts I now present to you about the world of good YOU deliver! Children with serious illness are faced with myriad physical and social challenges. Yet the Yale Child Study Center recently found that those who attend a SeriousFun camp showed improved confidence, higher self-esteem, a greater sense of independence, and an increased interest in social activities. The research also revealed that children’s stress related to their illness decreased as a result of the camp experience. “The study confirms what we’ve known anecdotally about the positive impact of camp,” explained Ruth Johnson, CEO of Roundup River Ranch, a SeriousFun camp in Colorado. No revelation for any of us who have witnessed, time and again, the attributes that camp develops and amplifies: better social skills, higher emotional intelligence, heightened selfdiscipline, greater creativity, more genuine caring, bet ter problem solving, and quintessential happiness. It’s not surprising that Paul Newman chose camp in order to fulfill his mission “to create opportunities for children and their families to reach beyond serious illness and discover joy, confidence, and a new world of possibilities.” While not a camp professional at the time, he knew intuitively that camp imparted the “art,” or soft skills, to balance the “science” part of education that takes place in a classroom. It’s really pretty simple — and incredibly powerful: Camp offers both the backdrop and the stage for life-changing experiences! Need the stats to back up that statement? Here they are — from two child-centered, Findings — American Camp Association, 2004 (first of its kind national study) • My child gained self-confidence at camp — 70% • Camp helped me feel good about myself — 92% • At camp, I did things I was afraid to do at first — 74% Findings — SeriousFun Children’s Network, 2013 (most recent international study) • My child exhibited increased confidence — 83% • Camp helped me feel more independent — 74% • At camp, I was more interested in social activities — 72% Key Findings at One Month Post-Camp Changes in Children Noticed by Their Families Following Camp • 83% of parents/caregivers reported noticing an increase in their child’s confidence • 80% reported an increase in self-esteem • 76% reported an increase in maturity • 74% reported an increase in independence • 72% reported an increased interest in social activities At six months, all of the positive changes were maintained. Impact on Camper Resilience Campers were asked to rate the variables below related to resilience on a weighted scale or against relevant criteria. The results are as follows: • Camper Quality of Life — Following camp, there was a significant decrease in the frequency of psychosocial problems, such as attentiveness, feeling sad, and relationship building. • Illness-Related Stress and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) — There was a statistically significant decrease in illness-related stress and PTSD symptoms, such as distress and avoidance, following camp. • Positive Coping Strategies — Parents/caregivers reported a significant increase in positive coping strategies, such as goal attainment and adaptability, following camp. • Friendships and Social Support — There was a significant increase in friendship satisfaction following camp. • Happiness — Camper-rated happiness about health and ability to do things they like to do was significantly higher following camp. At six months, all resilience-related indicators, except for some PTSD and stress variables, maintained their increased levels. Makings Friends and Staying in Touch after Camp • 98% of campers reported that they made new friends while at camp • 58% of campers continued to stay in touch with others they met from camp • The majority of campers reported that they were in touch with one to ten friends from camp with some reporting even more At six months, campers continued to stay connected to friends they made at camp, with 48% reporting that they were still in touch.
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