signaling a positive outlook for the future, and supporting resilience. If we take those children who are isolated or perhaps even stigmatized and who lack social skills and a belief in themselves, and create an intentional community that engages them in fun activities that promote social connectedness and a sense of possibility, they will learn from this “serious fun” new social skills in an environment of acceptance and support, surrounded by caring, compassionate, adult role models. The expectation, then, is that they will exhibit behaviors that connect them to others in similar circumstances and that they will eventually become positive about their future, resilient, socially related, and successful (SeriousFun Global Partnership Program, 2013). That Theory of Change, I submit, is the same for every child, and drives our passion to ensure that every camper has the best camp experience possible — because that experience is the underpinning of pivotal developmental skills. The researchers at SeriousFun remark, “Since 2010, the Yale School of Medicine has surveyed and interviewed hundreds of SeriousFun campers and their parents. Results of the inquiry show that children have increased confidence, self-esteem, maturity, independence, and interest in social activities. In addition, nearly all campers reported making friends, many of which lasted beyond the camp experience. The data also suggests that resilience indicators, such as possessing positive coping strategies . . . showed significant improvement following camp” (2013b). Indeed, these results, combined, unequivocally provide the scientific evidence we have sought for years and have known forever: Camp is so much more than “just plain fun!” Let us rejoice — camp has a profound, lifelong, positive impact on all children that is not found anywhere else in the educational quiver of a growing child. Camp is the vessel that holds the fun, which is the transportation to success and happiness. Photos on pages 20–21 courtesy of Roundup River Ranch, Dotsero, Colorado. References ACA. (2004). Directions: Youth development outcomes of the camp experience. Retrieved from www.ACAcamps.org/research/ enhance/directions FJC. (2013). Jewish camp for children with disabilities and special needs. Retrieved from www.jewishcamp.org/sites/default/files/ u4/Key%20Findings%20-%20Jewish%20 Camp%20Survey%20on%20Disabilities.pdf Newman, P. (2008). The Hole in the Wall Camps: My thoughts and aspirations for the future (revised 2013). Internal document. SeriousFun Global Partnership Program. (2013). Theory of change. Internal document. SeriousFun Children’s Network. (2013a). Let’s talk about fun. Retrieved from www.seriousfunnetwork .org/about-us/the-beginning SeriousFun Children’s Network. (2013b). Power in numbers. Retrieved from www.seriousfunnetwork.org/serious-impact SeriousFun Children’s Network. (2013c). What our brainy friends at Yale say. Retrieved from www.seriousfunnetwork.org/seriousimpact/ research Marla Coleman is a spokesperson and past president of ACA (the outcomes study was conducted during her term). She is a founding director of Coleman Country Day Camp on Long Island. She serves on the board of Roundup River Ranch in Colorado, where she also volunteers as a counselor. Because of Camp . . . ® is a registered trademark of the American Camp Association. All rights reserved. TRANSPORTATION FOR CAMPS & ADVENTURE GROUPS NATIONWIDE. NEW 2015 FORD TRANSIT FIRST COME, FIRST SERVE ORDERS CALL NOW! NOW ACCEPTING RESERVATIONS FOR JAN-AUG 2014 8-, 12-, 15-PASSENGER VANS & OTHER VEHICLES Merchants Fleet Management provides flexible rental solutions to camps and adventure groups nationwide. Give us a try. Or better yet, give us a challenge. Because when you expect more, you get more. VISIT OUR BOOTH #700 AT THE 2014 ACA NATIONAL CONFERENCE IN ORLANDO, FEBRUARY 6TH & 7TH CONTACT US FOR A FREE QUOTE 1.800.288.6999 merchantsfleetmanagement.com SHORT TERM L E A S I N G CAMPING magazine • March/April 2014 25
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