The ACA Research Forum is an opportunity for researchers and camp professionals to share and discuss new research related to campers, camp staff, camp programs, and a wide variety of other camp-related topics. Studies are blind, peer-reviewed, and accepted based on their relevance to the camp field and the rigor of their methods, and presented both orally and in a poster session each year at the ACA National Conference.
Submissions from 2012
A Utilization-Focused Evaluation of a Pilot Reading Program at Sherwood Forest Camp, Lauren Arend and Mary Rogers
A National Poll of Teens’ Attitudes toward the Outdoors: What’s It Got to do with Camp?, M. Deborah Bialeschki, Jim Sibthorp, and Brigitte Griswold
Transformational Leadership Style of Camp Directors: Gender-based Differences in Leadership Style, Margaret (Maggie) Braun
Fostering Camp Connectedness through Structured Curricula at Day Camp, Laurie Browne and Jim Sibthorp
Job Satisfaction and Motivation of Resident Summer Camp Staff, Jarrah Buch and Katherine Pawelko
Disability Specific Camps: Examining Social Acceptance and Quality of Life, Mary Ann Devine and Jennifer Piatt
Lessons Learned from Implementing a Work-Based Learning Approach to 4-H Camp Counseling, Theresa Ferrari and Nate Arnett
Family Camp Impacts on Family Functioning, Barry Garst and Sarah Baughman
Evaluation of a Summer Learning Initiative, Ann Gillard and Susan O’Connor
What’s in a Name? Learning about Personal Growth at Camp through Participatory, Meredith Hanson
Economic Impact of Camps: Case Study of Western North Carolina, Michelle Harrolle and Samantha Rich
Parent Perceptions of the Benefits of Camp, Katherine Kelly and Michelle Harrolle
Program Fidelity, Adaptation, and Participant Responsiveness: Key Processes Tied to Evaluating Program Efficacy, Cass Morgan
“It’s not Like a Regular Job”: Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Staff Members at Residential Camp, Linda Oakleaf
Communicating the Positive Impacts of Camps: Marketing Implications, Samantha Rich and Michelle Harrolle
The Effect of Intentionally Designed Experiences on Youths’ Friendship Skills, Mark Roark and Ann Gillard
2012, Camp Research Forum Book of Abstracts, American Camp Association
2013, ACA National Camp Research Symposium Abstracts, American Camp Association
Submissions from 2013
Assessing The Social Effects Of A Therapeutic Recreation Summer Camp For Adolescents With Chronic Illness, Jared Allsop and Jim Sibthorp
Reading At Camp: Outcomes Of A Summer Reading Program At Sherwood Forest Camp, Lauren Arend and Mary Rogers
Organizational Citizenship Behavior Of Camp Staff: The Effect Of Job Diagnostic Dimensions, Margaret Braun
Positioning Camp As A Context For Expanded Learning Through Meta-Analytic Review Of Camp Research, Laurie Browne and Ann Gillard
The Effects Of Cognitive Style On Camp Counselor Team Functionality, Sarah Bush
Exploring 4-H Camp Counseling As A Context For Developing Responsibility, Theresa M. Ferrari and Leslie Risch
Exploring Outcomes At A Camp Designed For Military-dependent Youth With And Without Disabilities, Chris Harrist and Boyd Hegarty
Think Outside The ‘Black Box’: Applying Implementation Evaluation To A Structured Camp Curriculum, Tracy Mainieri
Safe Camp Environments Build Self-Efficacy, Goal Setting, And Environmental Ethics, Kimberly Maravilla
Teens Learning Teamwork: Active Development Processes At Camp, S. Cole Perry
The Effect Of Intentionally Designed Experiences On Youths’ Teamwork Skills, Mark F. Roark, Ann Gillard, and Marissa Mikami Blauer
Tracking The Developmental Process In Mentor/Supervision Relationships At Summer Camp, Kate Smidt and Michael Basseches
2014, Camp Research Forum Book of Abstracts, American Camp Association
Submissions from 2014
Immersing Youth In A Summer Wellness 4-H Camp: Gardening, Culinary, Nutrition And Physical Activity, William E. Beckley and Ruth E. Litchfield
Lessons Learned In Utilizing Aca’S Youth Outcome Battery For Program Improvement, Marianne Bird, John Borba, Keith Nathanial, Matthew Portillo, Rita Boyes, and Shannon Dogan
Omk Camps Help Youth Develop Self-Efficacy To Deal With The Challenges Of Military Deployments, Christy Clary and Theresa M. Ferrari
Bringing “Camp War Buddies” To The Home Front, Shay Dawson and Doug Knapp
Disabiliy Specific Camp Experience: Results Of A National Study, Mary Ann Devine, Shay Dawson, and Jen Piatt
Evaluation Of Safety, Camaraderie, And Satisfaction At The Hero’S Journey Program, Ann Gillard and Matthew Cook
Parent Perception Of Changes In Children After Returning Home From Camp, Troy D. Glover, Steven Mock, Roger C. Mannell, and Stephen Fine
The Social Impact Of A Summer Camp For Youth With Tourette Syndrome, Michael Griswold
Children’S Perceptions Of Summer Day Camp Program Staff, Alice Hall and Alexius Coleman
Building “Survival Skills” Among Children Living With Hiv In Ethiopia: Results Of The Camp Addis Outcomes Evaluation, Sarah P. Hiller, Betelihem Belay, Kelly Collins, Reem Daffa, Marc Emerson, Steven Nagler, and Thomas Novotny
Nurturing A Culture Of Improvement: An Exploratory Follow-Up Of The 2005 Program Improvement Process, Monya Jameson
There Was More Out There Than Our Street: Exploring A Structured Camp Currilculum As An Avenue To Fostering Civic Engagement And Social Capital, Tracy Mainieri
How A Summer At Camp Encourages Positive Personal And Professional Development Among Camp Staff, Alicia McClain
Teen Teamwork At Work, S. Cole Perry
Effect Of Art Or Sport Programs On Teamwork Skills And Perceived Competence Among Day Campers, Mark F. Roark, Ann Gillard, Julie Patterson, and Kirsti Christensen
Crunching Numbers And A Story In Pictures: Ways Of Knowing And “Program Success”, Mary Rogers and Lauren Arend
Youth Outcomes Battery: Counselor And Parent Perception Versions, Jim Sibthorp, Troy Bennett, and M. Deborah Bialeschki
Life Inoculation: Examining The Relationship Between Adventure Education Components And Resilience In Summer Camp Experiences, Sharon E. Tessneer and Debra J. Jordan
The Impact Of Camp On Psychosocial Functioning Of Children With Serious Illness, Shauna L. Tominey, Robert Pietrzak, Steven Southwick, and Linda C. Mayes