This study examined links between self-concept and increased environmental awareness of youth participating in summer camp programs in Canada. The study also explored the idea that social inclusion might mediate this relationship.
Thousands of Canadian youth participate in summer camps each year. The camps generally aim to enhance campers' self-concept, foster peer relationships, and promote environmental awareness. Staff from 16 summer camps across Canada completed pre-and post-surveys addressing five potential outcome areas for the youth they worked with: social integration at camp, environmental awareness, self-confidence and personal development, emotional intelligence, and attitudes toward physical activity. This study focused on just three of these areas: social integration, environmental awareness, and self-confidence. While most of the participating camps were co-ed, 3 served only female campers and 1 served only male campers. Seven of the camps were day camps; nine overnight camps. Data analyzed for this study related to 1095 campers who attended summer camp for one week or longer.
Methods used in analyzing the data allowed the researchers to examine the association between self-concept and environmental awareness, and to explore the potential mediating role of social integration in this association. Findings showed a significant relationship between self-concept and environmental awareness. As self-concept increased, so did environmental awareness. Social inclusion enhanced the relationship.
This research shows that environmental and youth-development outcomes in summer camp programs are interlinked, and that social inclusion can enhance the desired outcomes in both areas. These findings support previous research indicating that summer camp attendance can promote young people's self-concept and social skill development. These findings add to the literature by showing how fostering positive peer relationships and inclusion in the camp community can also promote environmental awareness. Youth participating in summer camps tend to make friends and experience improved self-concept. This, in turn, tends to promote the internalization of the environmental norms of the camp community.
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