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The Effects Of A Summer Camp Program In China On Children’S Knowledge, Attitudes, And Behaviors Toward Animals: A Model For Conservation Education, Sarah M. Bexell, Olga S. Jarrett, Xu Ping

Sarah M. Bexell, PhD

This summative evaluation, conducted in Chengdu, Sichuan Province, China, studied whether participation in a conservation education camp positively changed 8–12-year-old children’s (a) knowledge of how to protect animals, (b) care about animals, (c) propensity for environmental and wildlife stewardship, and (d) compassionate behavior toward animals and nature. Influenced by conservation psychology, social learning theory, empathy and moral development, constructivism, and conservation biology, 5-day overnight camps were conducted at 2 zoological institutions. Activities were designed to help children form bonds with animals and care enough to positively change their behavior toward animals and nature. Mixed methods, using pre- and post-visit surveys, …