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
Submissions from 2015
2015, Camp Research Forum Book of Abstracts, American Camp Association
Cit Program Improvement Project, Troy Bennett and Amber Pedersen
Making A Case For University-Based Camp Work As A “High Impact Practice”, Laurie P. Browne and Jeff C. Heiser
Development Of A Competency Model For A State 4-H Camp Counselor Program, Hannah Epley, Theresa Ferrari, and Graham Cochran
An Evaluation Of Appreciation, Possibility, And Friendship Skills At A Camp For Youth With Serious Illness, Ann Gillard and Mark F. Roark
More Than Just Seriousfun: The Impact Of Camp On Resilience For Campers With Serious Illness, Kelsey M. Graber, Shauna L. Tominey, Steven Southwick, and Linda C. Mayes
A Mixed-Methods Evaluation Of A Psychosocial Camp Program For Children Living With Hiv In Vietnam, Sarah Hiller, Thuy Ngo, and Thomas Novotny
Assessing Creativity Via Divergent Thinking In Residential Camp Settings, Myles Lynch, C. Boyd Hegarty, Nathan Trauntvein, and Jonathan A. Plucker
Exploring The Use Of Structured Counselor Journals As A Camp Implementation Evaluation Tool, Tracy Mainieri and Breida Hill
An Exploratory Study: The Relationship Between Developmental Outcomes And Summer Camp Activities, Megan Owens
A Peer Paradox: Adults’ Roles In Supporting Youth To Learn From Each Other, Cole Perry
Camp’S Sneaky Potential: Life Skills Wrapped In Community, Gwynn Powell and Kabelo Malefane
Tracking Participant Gains In Problem Solving Confidence, Responsibility, And Teamwork Over A 32-Week Program, Mark F. Roark, David E. Rosenberg, Kirsti Christensen, and Joan Lindsey
Effects Of A Structured Reading Program On Children’S Attitudes About Reading In Academic And Recreational Settings, Mary M. Rogers
Assessing Camper Outcomes And Program Quality With Aca Tools: Data And Implications From 2014, Jim Sibthorp, Troy Bennett, and M. Deborah Bialeschki
What Keeps Us Out Of The Outdoors? Girl Scouts Speak Out On Barriers To Outdoor Participation, Kallen Tsikalas, Karyn L. Martin, and Vicki Wright
Measuring Outcomes Of Girls’ Experiences At Camp, Anja Whittington and Jeff Aspelmeier
2016, Camp Research Forum Book of Abstracts, American Camp Association
Submissions from 2016
A Picture Is Worth A Thousand Words: Understanding Campers’ Experience Of Nature At Camp Using Photovoice, Stacie Baker, Cass Morgan, and Laura Santurri
What Do Engaged Camp Staff Say, Feel, And Do?, Laurie Browne, Melissa D’Eloia, and Chase Michelotti
11 ©2015 American Camping Association, Inc. Benefits Of Long-Term Participation In Camp Experiences For Military Youth, Theresa M. Ferrari and Quinn Bailey Dybdahl
Parental Anxiety Causes And Consquences: Perspectives From Camp Program Providers, Barry A. Garst and Ryan J. Gagnon
Relationships Between Life Skills, Youth Development, And Antecendents Of Change In Camp Alumni, Barry A. Garst and Ryan J. Gagnon
Does A 45-Minute Staff Training Session On Camper Friendship Skills Make A Difference To Camper Outcomes?, Ann Gillard
Outcomes Of Camp Travel And Leadership Programs: Assessing Independence, Exploration, Family Citizenship And Teamwork Using The Youth Outcomes Battery, Colie Haahr and Nate Trauntvein
Program Outcomes At Adventure-Based Camps For Youth With Disabilites, Alice Hall, Jerri Kropp, John Peden, and Dan Mathews
4-H Camps Meeting Parents’ Expectations: Educational Effectiveness Of Camps In Building Life Skills, Joe Long
Social Capital And Attitudes Towards Physical Activity In Youth At Wilderness Summer Camps: Environmental Awareness And Personal Development As Mediating Factors, Julian F. P. Macnaughton, Earl P. Walker, Steven E. Mock, and Troy D. Glover
Using Counselor Implementation Journals To Explore The Processes At Work In Two Girl Scout Camps, Tracy Mainieri
“Living 10 Months For 2:” The Social Impact Of Summer Residential Camp On The Development Of The Self In Preteen And Teen Girls, Alexandra Mautner
Camper Perceptions Of Counselor Social-Emotional Learning Behaviors And Actions, Megan Owens
Promoting Positive Youth Development At Residential Summer Sport Camp, Victoria Povilaitis and Katherine A. Tamminen
Summer Camp Counselors’ Self Perceived Competency Prior To, And Following Staff Training, Zachary Wahl-Alexander, Steven M. Howell, and Kathleen Donahue
The Effect Of Goal-Setting With Pedometers At Summer Camp On Youth’S Physical Activity And Enjoyment, Cait Wilson, Jim Sibthorp, Elliott Fraughton, and Timothy Brusseau
2017, Camp Research Forum Book of Abstracts, American Camp Association
Submissions from 2018
Defining Ecological Identity: A Girl Scout Camp Case Study, Stefanie Argus
Sport For Development Theory In Practice, Zachary Beldon
Investigating Perceptions Of Change In Friendship Skills Across Camper Gender And Type Of Camp, Troy Bennett
Career And College Readiness Through Cit/Lit Leadership Opportunities, Deb Bialeschki, Jim Sibthorp, and Michael Riley
Minding The Gap: An Exploration Of Camp Researcher And Camp Practitioner Approaches To Assess Parent Perceptions Of Developmental Outcomes, Ryan Gagnon and Barry A. Garst
Tough Decisions In Medical Specialty Camps: Exploring The Relationship Between Camp Dosage, Changes In Diabetes Management Behavior, And Scholarship Provision, Ryan Gagnon, Barry A. Garst, and Stephen S. Mabry
Efficacy Of Online Training For Improving Camp Staff Competency, Barry A. Garst, Ryan Gagnon, and Alice M. Brawley
Healing Homesickness? The Impact Of Cell Phone Use On Summer Campers’ Reports Of Homesickness, Allison Herskovitz
The Impact Of University Day Camps On Youth: Program Assessment Using The Aca Youth Outcome Battery, Eddie Hill, Abigail Evans, Tyra Rounds, and Lena Midgette
How Theming Leads To Greater Retention, Satisfaction, And Promotion, Andrew Lacanienta, Gary Ellis, Allen Taggart, Jenny Wilder, and Mark Carroll
How Summer Camp Influences Boys’ Expectations Of Toughness And Expression Of Weakness, Joseph D. LaLiberte
Girls Only: Challenge Seeking Behaviors And Self-Efficacy Growth In The Outdoors, Karyn L. Martin and Melissa Mason
An Estudio Project Developed To Provide Additional Opportunities For Campers’ Connectedness Through A Digital Landscape, Corliss Outley and Yi-Ju Wu
Camper Leaders’ Work-Related Experiences For Social-Emotional Learning, Megan Owens and Amanda Wahle
A Systematic Reviw Of The Literature On Camps For Youth With Childhood Onset Chronic Illnesses, Mya Sendak, Clarissa Schilstra, Eitan Tye, Samuel Brotkin, and Gary Maslow