Camp Experiences and Developmental Outcomes for Youth

Most children view camp as an enjoyable experience. In addition to the essential fun aspect of camp, researchers are discovering several positive developmental outcomes. This article describes some of the developmental outcomes that occur at camp based on developmental theories that underlie camp programs and the research that has been conducted. The primary developmental outcomes examined relate to the broad areas of self-constructs, social relationships, skill building, and spirituality. The recent national data collected by the American Camp Association to document developmental outcomes are highlighted to better understand how “camp gives kids a world of good.”