#United States #Character Development #SeriousFun #American Camp Association #Martinsville

Introduction

In a remarkable collaboration, the American Camp Association (ACA), along with Abt Global and SeriousFun Children's Network, has launched a pivotal initiative designed to transform character and leadership development within the realm of medical specialty camps. This three-year project, backed by the John Templeton Foundation, strives to investigate how to nurture character strengths among youth living with disabilities and illnesses, significantly advancing youth development efforts.

The Importance of Character Development

For over a century, fostering character has been at the heart of the camp experience. This initiative emphasizes the exceptional resilience exhibited by young people at medical specialty camps—environments where overcoming personal challenges is a routine part of life. By exploring how these settings nurture leadership abilities and personal growth through Counselor-in-Training (CIT) programs, the ACA aims to create lasting changes in how these camps operate.

Laurie Pearson, Senior Director of Innovation and Learning at ACA, articulates the project's vision: "Medical specialty camps provide a transformative environment where young people not only heal and thrive, but also grow into community leaders. This initiative deepens our understanding of how character is built in these powerful, adaptive spaces."

A Global Approach

The initiative brought together twelve medical specialty camps from various countries, including the United States, Ireland, India, and Haiti. Camps involved in this project include:

• - Double H Ranch (New York)
• - Camp Rainbow Bangalore (India)
• - Barretstown (Ireland)
• - Kan Etwal (Haiti)
• - Flying Horse Farms (Ohio)
• - The Hole in the Wall Gang Camp (Connecticut)
• - Camp Ho Mita Koda (Ohio/Michigan)
• - Camp High Hopes (Iowa)
• - PA Lions Beacon Lodge (Pennsylvania)
• - Camp Aldersgate (Arkansas)
• - Melwood (Maryland)
• - Camp TLC (Texas)

These camps collaborated to develop a Character Development Framework along with a comprehensive Playbook of Character in CIT Programs tailored specifically for medical specialty camps. This guide provides practitioners with effective strategies for cultivating character strengths pertinent to the unique experiences faced by their campers.

Resources for Camp Practitioners

The culmination of this initiative is a suite of accessible and practical resources, available to the public at no cost. These include:

• - Educational activity videos promoting character strengths with medical accessibility accommodations
• - Facilitator guides supporting the implementation of programs
• - The comprehensive Playbook of Character in CIT Programs designed for medical specialty camps

These tools empower youth with disabilities and illnesses to not only develop their own character but also to become role models and leaders within their camp communities.

A Major Contribution to Youth Development

Ann Gillard, PhD, director of research and evaluation at SeriousFun Children's Network, emphasizes the broader implications of this project: "This project is a significant contribution not only to the study of summer camps but also to the broader youth development ecosystem. By understanding how character is cultivated in resilient populations, we open doors for more inclusive, impactful programming across the world."

About the Organizations

American Camp Association: ACA is a national organization representing over 20,000 summer and year-round camps in the United States, annually serving approximately 26 million campers. The ACA advocates for quality camp experiences and provides accreditation focused on health, safety, and overall camper well-being. For more information, visit ACA's website.

SeriousFun Children's Network: Created by actor Paul Newman in 1988, this network comprises 30 medical specialty camps offering free services to children with serious illnesses. The camps offer transformative experiences to children and their families, serving over 1.9 million children from more than 50 countries. Learn more at SeriousFun's website.

Conclusion

This collaborative project by ACA, Abt Global, and SeriousFun Children's Network represents a remarkable step forward in enhancing the camp experience for youth with disabilities and illnesses. By harnessing the unique settings of medical specialty camps and focusing on character development, these organizations are shaping future leaders who can flourish and inspire others within their communities.