Fun with Friends: Evaluating Summer Camp Experience

Abstract

The majority of research about summer camp does not take the child’s perspective into account. This study proposes to evaluate children’s level of satisfaction while attending a summer day camp. The study utilized self-report surveys in a sample of campers (N=103) ranging in age from 4-12 years old (M = 7.5, SD = 2.38), male (63.1%) and female (35.9%), at AdventurePlex in Manhattan Beach, California. Results suggest a small, positive correlation between age and overall activity satisfaction, r = .21, n = 103, p = .03, with older campers associated with higher levels of satisfaction. There was a large, positive correlation between youth outcomes and satisfaction, with higher levels of satisfaction associated with increased physical (r = .53, n = 52, p <0.01), social (r = .50, n = 52, p <0.01), and self-exploration development, (r = .65, n = 52, p <0.01). Camp programs can provide positive experiences, particularly for older youth.