Search research articles

ABOUT JoVE

Overview Leadership Blog JoVE Help Center

AUTHORS

Publishing Process Editorial Board Scope & Policies Peer Review FAQ Submit

LIBRARIANS

Testimonials Subscriptions Access Resources Library Advisory Board FAQ

RESEARCH

JoVE Journal Methods Collections JoVE Encyclopedia of Experiments Archive

EDUCATION

JoVE Core JoVE Business JoVE Science Education JoVE Lab Manual Faculty Resource Center Faculty Site

Terms & Conditions of Use

Related Concept Videos

Robbers Cave

Robbers Cave

During the 1950s, the landmark Robbers Cave experiment demonstrated that when groups must compete with one another, intergroup conflict, hostility, and even violence may result. At the Oklahoman summer camp, two troops of boys—termed the Rattlers and the Eagles—took part in a week-long tournament. During this time, their negativity culminated in derogatory name-calling, fistfights, and even vandalism and destruction of property. However, this work also revealed that such tension could be...

Cognitive Development During Adolescence

Cognitive Development During Adolescence

During adolescence, individuals experience significant cognitive development that enhances their understanding of others' emotions and thoughts, known as cognitive empathy. This period is marked by an increased ability to adapt to others' perspectives and a more nuanced understanding of others' mental states, a skill that is foundational for social problem-solving and conflict avoidance. The development of cognitive empathy relies heavily on the theory of mind — the recognition that people have...

Erikson's Theory on Socioemotional Development during Adolescence

Erikson's Theory on Socioemotional Development during Adolescence

Erik Erikson's fifth stage of psychosocial development, "identity versus role confusion," is crucial during adolescence (ages 12 to 18). In this stage, adolescents face the developmental task of forging a distinct personal identity, a process influenced by social, psychological, and biological changes typical of this period. Adolescents naturally explore different roles, behaviors, and ideologies as they navigate complex questions of self-concept, asking, "Who am I?" and "What is my place in...

Ethnic Identity within a Larger Culture

Ethnic Identity within a Larger Culture

Adolescents from ethnic minority backgrounds face a multifaceted journey in forming their identities, shaped by the intersections of cultural expectations and personal exploration. For these adolescents, identity formation involves not only typical developmental challenges but also navigating the perceptions and attitudes of the majority culture. As they grow, adolescents in ethnic minority groups often become increasingly aware of stereotypes, social biases, and discrimination, all of which...

Self-Evaluation: Self-Enhancement and Self-Verification

Self-Evaluation: Self-Enhancement and Self-Verification

Social psychologists have documented that feeling good about ourselves and maintaining positive self-esteem is a powerful motivator of human behavior (Tavris & Aronson, 2008). In the United States, members of the predominant culture typically think very highly of themselves and view themselves as good people who are above average on many desirable traits (Ehrlinger, Gilovich, & Ross, 2005). Often, our behavior, attitudes, and beliefs are affected when we experience a threat to our...

Influence of Parents and Peers on Identity

Influence of Parents and Peers on Identity

Adolescence is a pivotal period of identity formation, during which individuals begin to answer questions central to their sense of self, such as "Who am I?" and "Who do I hope to become?" Both parents and peers play critical roles in guiding adolescents through this complex developmental phase.
Parental Influence on Identity Development
Parents serve as primary guides and managers in an adolescent's life, offering support instrumental in decision-making and personal growth. This guiding role...

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by

Same author

A Rapid Review Exploring Overnight Camps for Children with Chronic or Serious Illness as a Palliative Care Intervention for Caregivers.

Journal of palliative medicine·2025

Same author

Principles and practices of impactful nature-based positive youth development programs.

Current opinion in psychology·2025

Same author

Application of non-pharmaceutical interventions in camps following the onset of COVID-19.

Child: care, health and development·2022

Same author

Cultivating knowledge of resiliency and reintegration among military youth through a national youth leadership program.

Evaluation and program planning·2021

Same author

A randomized study of CrossFit Kids for fostering fitness and academic outcomes in middle school students.

Evaluation and program planning·2020

Same author

Tough decisions in medical specialty camps: Relationships between camp dosage, outcomes, and camper attendance.

Social science & medicine (1982)·2018

Same journal

Evaluating afterschool programs.

New directions for youth development·2014

Same journal

Cultural competence in afterschool programs.

New directions for youth development·2014

Same journal

Family, school, and community partnerships: practical strategies for afterschool programs.

New directions for youth development·2014

Same journal

Behavior management in afterschool settings.

New directions for youth development·2014

Same journal

Growth-promoting relationships with children and youth.

New directions for youth development·2014

Same journal

Moving beyond attendance: lessons learned from assessing engagement in afterschool contexts.

New directions for youth development·2014

See all related articles

Search research articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 30, 2026

Four Temporary Waterslide Designs Adapted to Different Slope Conditions to Encourage Child Socialization in Playgrounds

Four Temporary Waterslide Designs Adapted to Different Slope Conditions to Encourage Child Socialization in Playgrounds

Published on: December 9, 2022

Youth development and the camp experience.

Barry A Garst¹, Laurie P Browne, M Deborah Bialeschki

¹Virginia Tech, USA.

New Directions for Youth Development

|July 26, 2011

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Organized camp experiences foster positive youth development, promoting healthy transitions into adulthood for children and staff. Research confirms camps offer crucial supports and opportunities for growth.

More Related Videos

Development and Implementation of a Multi-Disciplinary Technology Enhanced Care Pathway for Youth and Adults with Concussion

Development and Implementation of a Multi-Disciplinary Technology Enhanced Care Pathway for Youth and Adults with Concussion

Published on: January 20, 2019

A Multi-Modal Approach to Assessing Recovery in Youth Athletes Following Concussion

A Multi-Modal Approach to Assessing Recovery in Youth Athletes Following Concussion

Published on: September 25, 2014

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: May 30, 2026

Four Temporary Waterslide Designs Adapted to Different Slope Conditions to Encourage Child Socialization in Playgrounds

Four Temporary Waterslide Designs Adapted to Different Slope Conditions to Encourage Child Socialization in Playgrounds

Published on: December 9, 2022

Development and Implementation of a Multi-Disciplinary Technology Enhanced Care Pathway for Youth and Adults with Concussion

Development and Implementation of a Multi-Disciplinary Technology Enhanced Care Pathway for Youth and Adults with Concussion

Published on: January 20, 2019

A Multi-Modal Approach to Assessing Recovery in Youth Athletes Following Concussion

A Multi-Modal Approach to Assessing Recovery in Youth Athletes Following Concussion

Published on: September 25, 2014

Area of Science:

Youth Development
Sociology of Recreation
Psychology of Adolescence

Background:

The organized camp experience has a 150-year history, significantly impacting youth development.
Recent research growth, driven by the American Camp Association, highlights camp's role in fostering authenticity and healthy adulthood transitions.
Camp provides a unique environment for exploring identity and personal growth.

Purpose of the Study:

To explore the developmental outcomes associated with the organized camp experience.
To examine the characteristics of camp settings, structures, programs, and activities that support positive youth development.
To understand camp as a setting for enhancing youth development and consider future research directions.

Main Methods:

The study is based on three national research projects conducted by the American Camp Association between 2003 and 2007.
These projects included identifying developmental outcomes, benchmarking youth development supports, and a program improvement initiative.
The research synthesized findings to understand camp's impact on campers and staff.

Main Results:

Camp experiences significantly promote developmental outcomes for both campers and camp staff.
Camps effectively provide essential supports and opportunities conducive to positive youth development.
Specific camp characteristics, including setting, structure, and programming, contribute to these positive outcomes.

Conclusions:

Organized camp experiences are a vital setting for positive youth development.
Camp environments foster personal growth, authenticity, and healthy transitions to adulthood.
Further research can enhance the quality and impact of camp experiences on youth.