ACA research project gains momentum!

Camps from the eastern half of the U.S. are now being selected and trained for participation in the Youth Development Outcomes Study that will be conducted by Philliber Research Associates (PRA) in the summer of 2002. ACA will identify a similar sample from the Western half of the country to be studied in 2003. Lilly Endowment has provided the funding for this research.

In the design of the study, camps are placed into groups according to their type of sponsorship (agency, independent for profit, etc.). Individual camps are identified randomly from these sponsorship groups and invited to participate.

The study will include surveys completed by campers and parents/guardians before camp, at the end of camp, and six months after they return home. In addition, we will gather information from the camp director and several camp staff members.

In this study, PRA will analyze data to determine outcomes of the camp experience, and program elements that appear to be related to the accomplishment of outcomes. As a follow-up, ACA will develop training based on the results of the study to assist camps in strengthening their capacity to provide outstanding camp experiences.

Youth organizations are at the beginning stages of developing tools to measure outcomes, and to measure the effect of particular program elements on the achievement of outcomes. ACA is pleased to be involved in this early research, and looks forward to the results of this study and others that will certainly follow.

It is important to have many types of camps participate in the study. While we are not seeking volunteers, we trust that if your camp is selected from within your sponsorship group you will choose to participate!