NCJ Number
30346
Date Published
Unknown
Length
54 pages
Annotation
DEVELOPMENT, IMPLEMENTATION AND EFFECTS OF A THREE-WEEK CAMPING PROGRAM DESIGNED TO BUILD SELF-CONCEPT IN PROBLEM BOYS THROUGH A SYSTEMATIC SUCCESS PROGRESSION AND THUS READY THEM FOR VOCATIONAL AND EDUCATIONAL REHABILITATION.
Abstract
THE THERAPEUTIC CAMP IDEA STEMS FROM THE PREMISE THAT THE EFFECTIVE DEVELOPMENT OF YOUTH MUST INTEGRATE GROWTH ON THREE LEVELS, THE PHYSICAL, THE INTELLECTUAL AND THE EMOTIONAL-INTERPERSONAL, AND THAT REHABILITATION OF PROBLEM YOUTH (DRUG ABUSERS, DELINQUENTS, DROPOUTS) MUST INCLUDE THOSE THREE SKILLS. THE 'CAMP CHALLENGE' PROJECT DESCRIBED IN THIS REPORT WAS A COOPERATIVE VENTURE OF THE ARKANSAS REHABILITATION SERVICE, ALDERSGATE METHODIST CAMP OF LITTLE ROCK, AND THE ARKANSAS REHABILITATION RESEARCH AND TRAINING CENTER. CONCEIVED AS ONE ELEMENT OF A TOTAL APPROACH TO REHABILITATION FOR 21 PARTICIPANTS, THE CAMP PRESENTED A SYSTEMATIC, FUNCTIONAL PROGRAM OF LEARNING AND APPLYING CAMPING AND SURVIVAL SKILLS. THE PROGRESSION OF PERFORMANCE AND SUCCESS EXPERIENCES PROVED EFFECTIVE IN CAUSING POSITIVE BEHAVIOR AND ATTITUDINAL CHANGES IN THE BOYS, AS WELL AS IN IMPROVING THEIR BODY ATTITUDES AND SELF-CONCEPTS. THE CAMP EXPERIENCE, WHICH INTEGRATED THE BOYS' ASSOCIATIONS WITH THEIR REHABILITATION COUNSELORS, WAS DEEMED AS BEING A VALUABLE CONTRIBUTOR TO THE BOYS' SUBSEQUENT VOCATIONAL AND AVOCATIONAL REHABILITATION SUCCESS.