Positive and Trusting Relationships

Owens, Megan H.

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https://hdl.handle.net/2142/75845 Copy

Description

Title

Positive and Trusting Relationships

Author(s)

Owens, Megan H.

Issue Date

2015

Keyword(s)

Recreation, Sport, and Tourism

Abstract

Summer camp is often connected to childhood memories of fun, adventures, and conquering fears, as exemplified in this picture where a camper is scaling a climbing wall. Just as this camper is seeking positive reinforcement from a camp counselor, summer residential camps provide a unique community environment that encourages youth to take healthy risks and establish quality relationships with adults other than their parents. However, this arrangement places significant responsibility on college-age camp counselors to fulfill the roles of parent, caregiver, counselor, and friend for the entire camp session. Most youth are unaware that their great memories are the result of the camp staffs hard and enduring work. Camp counselors are hired for their specific personal skills and qualities, but they are tasked with creating special opportunities where youth can adopt new skills and personally grow from their experiences. This setting is unlike the typical school time or enrichment program. My research seeks to understand the contexts, maturation processes, and influences these relationships have on campers social development. This will assist camps within the youth development field and, hopefully, result in more positive and trusting relationships leading to more fears conquered and more walls climbed.

Type of Resource

• text
• image

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http://hdl.handle.net/2142/75845

Copyright and License Information

Copyright 2015 Megan Owens

Owning Collections