Day Camps, Can
They Work for Your
Kids and Your
Communities?
You Bet!
Cindy A. Kinder
Camp is a powerful positive force
in youth development
• Become more confident and experience increased self-esteem
• Develop more social skills
• Grow more independent and show more leadership
• Become more adventurous and willing to try new things
• Realize spiritual growth
Youth Development Participation
Studies
• Longer length of time (intensity) youth attend programs is linked with better outcomes Harvard Family Research Brief; August 2004
• Duration of participation of at least 2 years is positively related to youth outcomes. Harvard Family Research Brief; August 2004
What about youth that can’t go to
a week long camp?
• Today’s Families in Idaho
– Limited Time
– Limited Resources
– Something for everyone in the family
– 4-H Livestock members animal commitments
So the question is…….
• Can day programs still provide positive outcomes for youth?
Youth Development Studies
• Programs that achieve positive youth outcomes Harvard Family Research Project February 2008
– Access & sustained participation – Quality programming and staffing – Strong partnerships
Youth Development Studies
• Quality Programming Harvard Family Research Project February 2008
– Providing physical & psychological safety – Appropriate supervision & structure
– Well-prepared staff
– Intentional programming
• Suggested that intentional Youth
Development (YD) goals could lead to specific YD outcomes American Camping Association Study, 2006
• Provide youth a camp type atmosphere including a campfire
• Give youth opportunities to increase
knowledge and skills by learning from caring adults and teens
• Give teens an opportunity to increase their leadership skills
• Provide fun activities where youth can apply their new knowledge and skills
• Generate confidence in youth by recognizing them for their participation
• Give connection to the Land Grant University
Methods
• Day camps within the 8 county district
– 2007
• Wildlife, Lamb, Swine, Dutch Oven
– 2008
• Wildlife, ATV, Lamb, Dairy, My Heritage My State
– 2009
• Wildlife, Lamb, Swine, Using Digital Media in 4-H
– 2010
• Wildlife, Lamb, Swine, Shooting Sports, JMG, Emergency Education
Methods
• Week long or Multi-day camps
– 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010
• June Summer Camp • July Summer Camp
• Natural Resources Camp
Four Essential Elements
of 4-H
Belonging Mastery
Generosity Independence
To know they are cared about by
others
To feel and believe they are
capable and successful To know they are able to influence people and events To practice helping others through their own generosity
Belonging: To know they are cared about by others
Strategies:
Mix of Small and Large Groups:
Work together as teams Adult group leaders
Counselors
Ice Breakers:
Games, chants and songs
Awards for Everyone:
Mastery: To feel and believe they are capable and successful
Strategies: Educational Day Camps
Include a variety of Hands-on Activities:
Animal behavior Halter breaking Quality assurance Journaling
Safety precautions Injections
Food science Evaluation
Meat cuts Animal nutrition Animal production Oral reasons
Skill a thons Hippology
Challenges:
Independence: To know they are able to influence people and events
Strategies:
Counselors:
Planning and teaching Group leaders
Role models
Youth:
Special responsibilities
Generosity: To practice helping others through their own generosity Strategies:
Youth:
Teach “giving back” and “pay it forward” Compassion for others with limitations Team working skills and compromise
Service Learning:
Cards for service men
Community service sewing projects Supplies for animal shelters
Life Skill Survey’s
• Life skills and indicators from Washington State University Life Skill Evaluation System
– Bailey, S.J., & Deen, M.Y. (2002). Development of a Web-based Evaluation System: A Tool for Measuring Life Skills in Youth and Family Programs. Family Relations 51(2), 138-147.
2008 Life Skill Survey
• Pre-Post Survey at the end of the program • Communications
– The exchange of thoughts, information, or messages between individuals using speech, writing, gestures, and artistic expression
• Accepting Differences
– To recognize and welcome factors that separate or distinguish one person from another
• Positive Identity
– Valuing oneself, pride in oneself, understanding one’s abilities strengths and limitations; realistic assessments.
2008 Life Skill Survey Results
Camp Communication AcceptingDifferences
Positive Identify
Dairy Camp (1day) 21% 17% 50% Lamb Camp (1day) 49% 33% 67% Wildlife Camp(1day) 44% 46% 35% July Summer Camp(5 days) 75% 75% 68% Livestock Judging Camp (3 days) 78% 68% 70%
2009 Life Skill Survey
• Pre-Post Survey at the end of the program • Communications
– The exchange of thoughts, information, or messages between individuals using speech, writing, gestures, and artistic expression
• Accepting Differences
– To recognize and welcome factors that separate or distinguish one person from another
• Positive Identity
– Valuing oneself, pride in oneself, understanding one’s abilities strengths and limitations; realistic assessments.
2009 Life Skill Survey Results
Camp Communication AcceptingDifferences
Positive Identify
Idaho Swine Camp 31% 45% 47% Wildlife Camp
(1day)
33% 38% 9.5%
July Summer Camp (5 days) 55% 52% 62% Livestock Judging-Novice (3 days) 68.9% -- 58.6% Livestock Judging-Advanced (3 days) 40% -- 45%
Conclusion
• For 2008 and 2009 Camps Surveyed
– Week long camp had more youth stating they had positive gains in all life skills
– Day camps still had positive gains in life skills
Value
• Day camps with intentional youth
development programming can have positive benefit to our youth.
4-H Day Camps Provide Opportunities for Young People to:
Belong
Master Skills through Experience
Influence Others
Learn the Meaning of Service
FOR MORE INFORMATION…
Cindy A. Kinder:
Gooding County Extension Camas County Extension
DISTRICT III 4-H CAMP BOOK
Professional Image:
UI Extension 4-H Youth Development Showcases summer 4-H activities
available to all youth in the area
Application is in one location!
Public knows what to request
Secretaries and Educators give out complete information
Locations: 8 camps
120 books in every county office (7 counties) One county has it posted on their website
District Office, local businesses, libraries, schools, recreation districts, courthouses, city offices
Distribution:
County by County situations
Flyers in county newsletters
Registration form in the newsletters
“Come and get the book” in the newsletters
Cost:
$1.90 per book; color on the outside, funded by Friends of 4-H Endowment
Locations: 9 camps
50-150 books requested per office One county posted on their website
District Office, local businesses, libraries, schools, recreation districts, courthouses, city offices
Distribution:
County by County situation
Flyers in county newsletters
Registration form in the newsletters
“Come and get the book” in the newsletters
Cost:
$2.04 per book; color on the outside, funded by Friends of 4-H Endowment
Locations: 9 camps
100-170 books per office (1,000 printed) Three counties posted on their website
District Office, local businesses, libraries, schools, recreation districts, courthouses, city offices
Distribution:
County by County situation
Flyers in county newsletters
Registration form in the newsletters
“Come and get the book” in the newsletters
Cost:
$2.35 per book; color on the outside, funded by community donor
Locations: 12 camps
100-170 books per office (1,000 printed) Three counties posted on their website
District Office, local businesses, libraries, schools, recreation districts, courthouses, city offices
Distribution:
County by County situation
Flyers in county newsletters
Registration form in the newsletters
“Come and get the book” in the newsletters
Cost:
$2.25 per book; color on the outside, funded by community donor