Using participatory culture-specific consultation to support the mental health needs of summer camp staff.

Nearly 30% of all U.S. youth attend summer camp each year, making it one of the broadest reaching out-of-school-time interventions in the country. Camp provides a space for seasonal employees, who are often emerging adults, to explore work values and identity, engage in mentoring and support opportunities, and stay connected to a community larger than themselves. However, research on camp experiences also suggests camp settings and expectations around emotional and physical care can cause counselors to experience burnout, compassion fatigue, and reduced job satisfaction. Using participatory culture-specific consultation, the current study addressed a gap in the literature about systemic interventions to manage camp counselor mental health by designing, implementing, and evaluating a mental health consultation model at one of the largest YMCA summer camps in the country. Results suggest the intervention effectively addressed certain administrator and staff needs; results also suggest the model could be refined to more effectively respond to the particular contextual challenges of summer camps. Implications and recommendations for other summer camps are discussed.

Recommendations for medical care in the pediatric oncology camp setting: Consensus statements based on Delphi methodology.

For many children with cancer, participation in oncology camp programs is an important component of healing that offers opportunities for fun and can have substantial impacts on social and physical well-being. Optimal medical care and infectious screening for children attending oncology camp is critical to maximize safety and opportunities for participation. This paper describes recommendations for a series of common medical issues unique to the care of children with cancer in the camp setting generated by a modified Delphi consensus approach.

Quantifying the psychosocial impact of a weekend retreat on adolescent and young adult (AYA) oncology patients.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to determine if AYA oncology patients experienced a quantifiable improvement in psychosocial outcomes after attending a weekend retreat with their peers. METHODS: AYA oncology patients attended a weekend retreat. They completed the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy - General (FACT-G) before, 1 month after, and 6 months after the weekend retreat. Controls were age-matched oncology patients who did not attend the retreat. FINDINGS: Retreat participants' scores did not significantly change over time; however, retreat participants' scores at 1-month follow-up were significantly higher than control group scores. CONCLUSIONS: AYA oncology patients may experience transient improvement in psychological well-being after attending a retreat, but benefits may not be durable. Work remains needed to examine the impact of retreat attendance on specific aspects of psychosocial well-being. Implications for psychosocial oncology: Work is needed to decrease perceived attendance barriers for AYA oncology patients who have a low quality of life. Future retreat planners may consider modifying retreat activities and consider alternative retreat locations that appeal to campers with limited mobility, chronic pain, and/or other quality of life limitations. Additional study is needed to determine whether brief overnight or weekend retreats can be as effective as week-long camps in enhancing oncology patients' quality of life. Future researchers should compare changes in weekend retreat attendees' quality of life to changes in quality of life for a control group (e.g., via a waitlist control study design).

Trauma-Informed Care and Posttraumatic Growth Among Bereaved Youth: A Pilot Study.

Although a fair amount has been written about posttraumatic stress disorder among bereaved children and adolescents, less has been written about posttraumatic growth (PTG) and its predictors among this population. This study examines predictors of PTG and the impact of trauma-informed care on PTG among bereaved youth. A preexperimental, pretest-posttest design was applied to measure PTG among bereaved children (N = 32) before and after attending a healing camp that provides trauma-informed care. A regression model was applied to examine predictors of PTG. Results showed that children participating in the camp increased their PTG scores to a statistically significant degree. Circumstance of death (sudden or expected) was a predictor in this study. The results are discussed in relation to limitations, implications for future research, and practice.

Improvements in Hope and Beliefs about Illness Following a Summer Camp for Youth with Chronic Illnesses.

This study evaluated changes in hope, attitude toward illness, and perceptions of illness benefit and burden following participation in a summer camp designed for youth with a variety of chronic illnesses. Participants were 62 youth campers (Age M = 13.45 years, SD = 2.41) with a variety of chronic illnesses. For youth who began camp low in hope about future goal attainment, participation in optional camp activities negatively predicted post-camp hope about future goal attainment. This relation was nonsignificant for campers who began camp high in hope. We found no significant changes in attitude toward illness or perceptions of illness benefit or burden. This study provides an important contribution to burgeoning research on summer camps designed for children with varying chronic illnesses. Findings were inconsistent with previous studies on chronic illness summer camp outcomes. Further work is needed to identify camp components that are related to desirable psychosocial outcomes for youth with chronic illnesses.

The Impact of Aphasia Camp Participation on Quality of Life: A Primary Progressive Aphasia Perspective.

Individuals with primary progressive aphasia (PPA) and their caregivers are at risk for decreased quality of life (QoL) due to their progressive condition. Aphasia camps are an intervention that can improve QoL, yet individuals with PPA are underrepresented at aphasia camps relative to those with poststroke aphasia. The purpose of this exploratory case study was to examine the effect of participation in aphasia camp on the QoL of a couple impacted by PPA. The Living with Aphasia: Framework for Outcome Measurement (A-FROM) was used to guide a semistructured interview with an individual with PPA and her spouse, both of whom had attended the Alberta Aphasia Camp for 4 years. Conventional content analysis with an inductive approach was used to analyze results. Concepts that emerged from the interview were organized into pre-camp, during, and post-camp categories. Aspects of camp that had an effect on post-camp QoL for this couple with PPA included expanding social connections and introduction to new activities. Personal characteristics exhibited by the couple had an impact on their experience of aphasia camp and how they incorporated their experiences into their everyday lives post-camp. Aphasia camps are a participation-based service approach that can benefit people with aphasia regardless of etiology. A consideration of personal factors of potential campers with PPA, and the provision of PPA-specific resources, is recommended for programs such as aphasia camps that incorporate participants with mixed etiologies.

Enhancements in Confidence, Acceptance, and Friendship at a Summer Camp for Children With Inflammatory Bowel Disease.

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) affects many children and adolescents in terms of their confidence, acceptance, and ability to build friendships. New Zealand held its first summer camp for children with IBD in January 2015. We obtained feedback from the campers (ages 10-18 years) in terms of their confidence, acceptance, and quality of life. We also asked what experience was most beneficial to them, whether they made new friends with IBD, and if they would attend the camp again. Thirty-six campers responded (81.8% response rate; median age 14 years [range 10-18]; 83.3% Crohn disease; 41.7% girls). Most reported that the camp improved their confidence (86.1%), acceptance (83.3%), and overall quality of life (75.0%) relating to IBD. Moreover, most reported that meeting their fellow campers was the most beneficial experience to come from the camp (72.2%). Overall, these results emphasize the importance and relevance of such an undertaking.

Differences in the importance of weather and weather-based decisions among campers in Ontario parks (Canada).

Parks and protected areas represent an important resource for tourism in Canada, in which camping is a common recreational activity. The important relationship between weather and climate with recreation and tourism has been widely acknowledged within the academic literature. Howbeit, the need for activity-specific assessments has been identified as an on-going need for future research in the field of tourism climatology. Furthermore, very little is known about the interrelationships between personal characteristics and socio-demographics with weather preferences and behavioural thresholds. This study uses a stated climate preferences approach (survey responses) to explore differences in the importance of weather and related weather-based decisions among summer campers in Ontario parks. Statistically significant differences were found among campers for each of the four dependent variables tested in this study. Physically active campers placed greater importance on weather but were still more tolerant of adverse weather conditions. Older campers placed greater importance on weather. Campers travelling shorter distances placed greater importance on weather and were more likely to leave the park early due to adverse weather. Campers staying for longer periods of time were less likely to leave early due to weather and were willing to endure longer durations of adverse weather conditions. Beginner campers placed greater importance on weather, were more likely to leave early due to weather and recorded lower temporal weather thresholds. The results of this study contribute to the study of tourism climatology by furthering understanding of how personal characteristics such as gender, age, activity selection, trip duration, distance travelled, travel experience and life cycles affect weather preferences and decisions, focusing this time on recreational camping in a park tourism context.

Camp for Youth With Type 1 Diabetes.

Camps for youth with type 1 diabetes (T1D) have grown in size and scope since they first emerged in the 1920s. Anecdotal evidence suggests that attending camp with other youth with T1D is beneficial, largely attributed to sharing fun, active experiences and removing the isolation of living with diabetes. However, few studies have evaluated the psychosocial and medical impacts of T1D camp attendance during and after camp sessions. In addition, T1D camps have been a setting for numerous studies on a variety of T1D-related research questions not related to camp itself, such as testing novel diabetes management technologies in an active, non-laboratory setting. This paper reviews the evidence of psychosocial and medical outcomes associated with T1D camp attendance across the globe, provides an overview of other research conducted at camp, and offers recommendations for future research conducted at T1D camp.

Looking Outside: Summer Camp for Children Who Have Undergone a Solid-Organ Transplant.

A high-quality critical care team is an essential component of any successful organ transplant program. From pretransplant care to the crucial postoperative period, its importance cannot be discounted. However, because of the focused nature of work in an intensive care unit (ICU), all too often members of the ICU team are not able to see and appreciate the ultimate fruits of their labor. These are factors that can contribute to the high rates of burnout and turnover among ICU teams. This article presents the concept of a summer camp for children who have received a solid-organ transplant. We discuss a vehicle by which ICU staff as well as other members of a patient's care team can gain a better appreciation of the full nature of both medical and, perhaps more importantly in this situation, nonmedical goals and outcomes in pediatric transplantation. We review our institutional experience running a summer camp for these children, discuss some of the important points in making such a camp successful, and discuss potential benefits to the campers as well as those taking care of them.

Psychosocial Outcomes of Participating in Pediatric Diabetes Camp.

OBJECTIVE: There are approximately 18,400 youth who are newly diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) in the United States each year. Because of the potential for hypoglycemia, frequent need to monitor blood glucose, and other medical care associated with T1DM, children may not be able to participate in the typical summer camp experience. The aims of this study were (1) to evaluate the impact of camp on the child's attitude toward their illness, (2) to evaluate the child's confidence in self-care management of their diabetes, (3) to assess the child's perception and satisfaction with the camp experience, and (4) to evaluate the perception of camp experience by the parents. DESIGN AND SAMPLE: Thirty-eight parent-child dyads participated in a pretest, posttest quasi-experimental research study evaluating the benefits of a camping experience for the child with T1DM. RESULTS: Pre- and postcamp comparisons revealed improved attitude toward illness and improved self-efficacy after the camping experience. CONCLUSION: Results of the study support the psychosocial benefits of a camping experience for children with T1DM. Findings from the study can be used by health care providers as evidence to support the benefits of sending children with T1DM to residential summer camp.

Summer Camp for Children And Adolescents with Chronic Conditions.

Children with chronic conditions experience physical, social, emotional, and developmental challenges that include physical differences, negative body image, social isolation, decreased emotional functioning, and developmental concerns. Summer camps are a way to help these children overcome their difficulties. They provide an enjoyable experience, encourage goal achievement, give children a sense of community and friendship, improve children's self-concept, increase children's disease knowledge and management, and contribute to campers' positive development. Nurses can encourage families to use these camps as a therapeutic intervention and help families evaluate individual camps to find a good fit for their child.

Camp programs for children with cancer and their families: review of research progress over the past decade.

A systematic review was conducted of studies (2001-2013) about therapeutic recreation/camp for children with cancer and/or their family which measured either process or outcome variables qualitatively or quantitatively. Of 581 titles, 20 met the inclusion criteria. Research demonstrates positive impacts of camp on: cancer knowledge, mood, self-concept, empathy, and friendship, quality of life, and emotional well-being. This recent decade of research illuminates nuances in camp outcomes, which previously were unexplored. For instance, changes following camp do not necessarily occur in a linear, positive fashion and varying outcomes were observed by camper subgroup depending on age, culture, and treatment status.

A qualitative study exploring the psychosocial value of weekend camping experiences for children and adolescents with complex heart defects.

BACKGROUND: Children living with complex heart defects (CHD) are likely to have ongoing social, emotional, physical, and health concerns, and are in need of additional psychosocial support. Summer camps can provide therapeutic benefits. Little research exists regarding the value of shorter camping experiences from the perspectives of children with CHD. The aim of our study was to explore what children and adolescents with CHD considered meaningful when attending a therapeutic camping weekend in the company of peers with similar medical diagnoses. METHODS: Engaging a phenomenological approach we used participant generated photography and reflective semi-structured interviews to explore participants' lived experience and value derived from their weekend camping experiences. The study was completed with thirteen participants ranging in age from 9 to 16 years. Interviews were recorded and transcribed verbatim. Data were analysed using Van Manen's guidelines. RESULTS: Three themes reflecting the camp experiences were generated from the data. Meaningful experiences spanned three outcomes which had some overlapping influences: (i) Developing relationships and feeling accepted by peers and counsellors at camp; (ii) Enjoying and learning during the weekend; and (iii) Experiencing the natural and human-built therapeutic environmental features of camp. The camping programme features, inputs, and processes as identified by the participants in contributing to these outcomes are described. CONCLUSION: This qualitative study showed that children living with complex CHD valued the opportunity for participating in weekend camping experiences in the company of peers with similar heart defects. Findings contribute to a better understanding of what programme features and processes were considered meaningful. Given the scarcity of resources to devote to such social support activities, the findings may help professionals to plan effective interventions to maximize benefits during a shorter camping experience.

Children's cancer camps: a sense of community, a sense of family.

Childhood cancer is a family affair, and each year in Canada, approximately 1,400 children and adolescents under the age of 20 are diagnosed with cancer. Innumerable challenges accompany this diagnosis, and in recognition of the stress of childhood cancer, children's cancer camps arose in the 1970s to help children and their families escape the rigidity and severity of cancer treatment. Very little is known about these cancer camps, and to that end, a philosophical hermeneutic study was conducted to understand the meaning of children's cancer camps for the child with cancer and the family. Six families were interviewed to bring understanding to this topic. While the research included findings related to the concept of play, fit and acceptance, storytelling, and grief, this paper will detail the finding related to the solidarity of the community--the "camp family"--as one that creates intense, healing bonds.

A Half-Day Camp Program for Adolescents Affected by Childhood Cancer.

Background: Adolescents affected by childhood cancer experience various degrees of psychosocial distress, social isolation, and social support throughout the treatment process. Objective: To create and implement an evidence-based practice project consisting of a pilot half-day camp program to improve social support and connectedness for adolescents affected by childhood cancer. Methods: A pilot half-day camp program was implemented. Twenty adolescent patients, survivors, and siblings (ages 13-18 years) participated in the program. Participants provided basic demographic information and completed pretest, immediate posttest, and 4-week posttest surveys to assess their levels of social support and camp connectedness. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and two-tailed Wilcoxon signed-rank test. Results: All measures of social support in adolescent participants affected by childhood cancer trended upward following the conclusion of the program, then trended downward over time, with overall social support and family social support significantly decreasing over time postintervention. Camp connectedness was not significantly impacted by the program. Conclusions: Social support decreases as participants are further out from attending a half-day camp program. This pilot program demonstrated the feasibility of a short-term, local, cost-effective camp program that is scalable to larger groups. Implications for Nursing: Providers should refer adolescents affected by childhood cancer to camp programs for social support. More research is needed to determine if more frequent camp programs sustain a high level of social support in participants.

Outdoor adventure camps for people with mental illness.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to evaluate a novel outdoor adventure camping program for individuals with mental illness. METHOD: The program was developed by YMCA Victoria in partnership with Sport and Recreation Victoria, and mental health service agencies. Orygen Youth Health Research Centre conducted the program evaluation. One hundred and eight individuals from mental health services across Victoria participated in 12 camps. Five camps targeted young people between the ages of 18 and 25 years. Seven camps were run for adults 26 years and older. Participants were assessed at baseline, end of camp, and four weeks following the camp in terms of self-esteem, mastery, and social connectedness. Quality of life was assessed at baseline and four weeks post-camp. RESULTS: Participants demonstrated significant improvements in mastery, self-esteem and social connectedness from baseline to end of the camp; however, these improvements were not sustained by the four-week follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: We have demonstrated that utilizing the expertise of mental health services and a community recreation provider can benefit individuals experiencing mental illness. More research is required with respect to how to sustain these benefits over the longer term.