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Full-Text Articles in Life Sciences
Effect Of Intentionally Designed Experiences On Friendship Skills Of Youth: An Application Of Symbolic Interaction Theory, Mark F. Roark, Ann Gillard, Faith Evans, Mary Sara Wells, Marissa Mikami Blauer
Effect Of Intentionally Designed Experiences On Friendship Skills Of Youth: An Application Of Symbolic Interaction Theory, Mark F. Roark, Ann Gillard, Faith Evans, Mary Sara Wells, Marissa Mikami Blauer
Kinesiology and Health Science Faculty Publications
After-school programs in which recreation activities are intentionally designed as developmental experiences can yield positive social outcomes for youth (e.g., Daud & Carruthers, 2008; Witt, 2008). Intentionally designed recreation experiences can inspire stronger friendships, stimulate greater interest in supporting peers at school, and increase pro-social behaviors that may continue through subsequent phases of life. The development of friendship skills was the social development outcome of interest in this study. Friendship skills was operationally defined as “perceived skills in initiating, developing, and sustaining enjoyable and socially intimate relationships with other people” (Ellis & Sibthorp, 2006, p. 40). In adulthood, friendship skills …
Campers Have A World Of Good: Insights From The Aca Sites, Facilities, And Programs Report: 2011, Mark F. Roark, Marissa Mikami
Campers Have A World Of Good: Insights From The Aca Sites, Facilities, And Programs Report: 2011, Mark F. Roark, Marissa Mikami
Kinesiology and Health Science Faculty Publications
Each year, camp staff members spend days — if not weeks — preparing facilities, activity areas, and programs so their campers can enjoy fun, educational, and life-enhancing experiences. Whether operating on a public grassy field or nestled in the woods, one key to successes is knowing about programs and facilities. Every three years, ACA conducts the Sites, Facilities, and Program Survey (SFPS) as a part of the larger, annually conducted business operations surveys. This article focuses on the SFPS completed during the fall of 2010. Fifty percent of ACA-accredited camps were randomly selected to participate in the survey and 539 …
Measuring Mindfulness In Summer Camp Staff, Ann Gillard, Mark F. Roark, Lewis Ramsey Kanyiba Nyaga, M. Deborah Bialeschki
Measuring Mindfulness In Summer Camp Staff, Ann Gillard, Mark F. Roark, Lewis Ramsey Kanyiba Nyaga, M. Deborah Bialeschki
Kinesiology and Health Science Faculty Publications
Examining mindfulness in a non-clinical and non-therapeutic setting such as a summer camp is an area of growing interest. Our study tested three mindfulness scales with staff in a summer camp setting, and we conducted preliminary reliability and validity analyses for any modifications needed in the scales. Results indicated two major findings: (a) the 5-item camp-Mindful Attention and Awareness Scale showed good reliability and evidence of convergent validity, and (b) the 9-item parent-based and the 6-item teacher-based scales were not reliable or applicable to this study. Analyses of the data shed light on the usefulness of employing mindfulness scales in …
Measuring Relationships Between Camp Staff And Camper Developmental Outcomes: An Application Of Self-Determination Theory, Mark F. Roark, Gary D. Elis, Mary Sara Wells, Ann Gillard
Measuring Relationships Between Camp Staff And Camper Developmental Outcomes: An Application Of Self-Determination Theory, Mark F. Roark, Gary D. Elis, Mary Sara Wells, Ann Gillard
Kinesiology and Health Science Faculty Publications
While recent studies have suggested that positive developmental outcomes may result from participating in camp experiences, it is unclear what specific aspects of camp (e.g., staff dispositions, counselor teams, non-counselor staff) might influence these camper outcomes. Previous studies have measured the autonomy support of schoolteachers and found that more autonomy-supportive dispositions that, for example, engage autonomy, relatedness, and competence through the use of meaningful choice or rationale have positive effects on student developmental outcomes (e.g., intrinsic motivation, competence, self-esteem). Unlike schools, camps are noncompulsory recreation environments and most are outdoor-based. The existence of differences between the physical, social, and motivational …
Effect Of Self-Determination Theory-Based Strategies For Staging Recreation Encounters On Intrinsic Motivation Of Youth Residential Campers, Mark F. Roark, Gary D. Ellis
Effect Of Self-Determination Theory-Based Strategies For Staging Recreation Encounters On Intrinsic Motivation Of Youth Residential Campers, Mark F. Roark, Gary D. Ellis
Kinesiology and Health Science Faculty Publications
Parents and caregivers generally believe that the camp experiences they purchase for their children will not only yield transient pleasure and lasting memories of fun encounters, but significant developmental outcomes as well. Camp professionals serving over 11 million youths each year embrace such outcomes and commonly advance mission statements that point to the development of friendship skills, self-confidence, competence, self-reliance, independence, citizenship, and many other developmental outcomes. Empirical evidence of how these outcomes might be facilitated through specific recreation leadership strategies (e.g., activity staging) is lacking. The Self-Determination Theory (SDT) would suggest that youth leaders (e.g., camp counselors, recreation activity …