Children and youth living in foster institutions are known to be at increased risk of behavioral problems and difficulties in social, cognitive, affective and emotional development. Surf-Salva Camp 2016 was designed with this concern in mind, as its aim is to promote social and emotional competencies and group cohesion in at-risk youth. Surf-Salva Camp 2016 was also designed to develop beach security values and social citizenship. This study investigated the impact of Surf-Salva Camp 2016 on a group of 48 adolescents between the age of 10 and 17 living in foster care homes in the greater Lisbon district of Portugal.
Surf-Salva Camp 2016 conducted three sessions during the summer of 2016, with 16 participants in each session. The sessions were designed and conducted by a multidisciplinary team consisting of a psychologist, two technicians with specializations in psychology and sociology, three surf instructors, and two staff with lifesaving and first aid training skills. The sessions combined surfing training with activities to promote social, emotional, and group cohesion skills.
The youth participants and their tutors or legal guardians completed the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) before and after participating in Surf-Salva Camp 2016. The SDQ assesses emotional characteristics and externalizing behaviors in five areas: pro-social behavior, hyperactivity, emotional problems, behavior, and relationship. After their final session, the participants also completed the youth experiences survey to measure the impact of the program. This same survey was completed by the participants' tutors or legal guardians and the camp team staff.
Most of the participants reported an increase in their understanding of social and emotional competences; and over 89% indicated that they felt included. Other positive results – as reported by the participants, tutors/legal guardians and/or team staff – included an increase in problem-solving, exploration, effort and perseverance, time management, interpersonal relationships, and emotional regulation among the participants throughout the project.
Though the data cannot be interpreted as causal, these results indicate that Surf Therapy -- which includes surfing along with psychotherapeutic intervention – may be beneficial in promoting a healthy lifestyle, wellbeing and personal and social skills in at-risk young people.
Research Partner