SUMMER FUN : CAMPERS' REPORTED INTENTIONS TO RETURN TO CAMP

ECU Author/Contributor (non-ECU co-authors, if there are any, appear on document)

Jane McAllister (Creator)

Institution

East Carolina University (ECU )

Web Site: http://www.ecu.edu/lib/

Advisor

Debra Jean 1958- Jordan

Abstract: The purpose of this study was to understand how in-camp activities and experiences relate to campers' reported intentions to return to camp. Guided by the Theory of Planned Behavior this study examined how campers' perceptions of behavioral control attitudes toward behavior and perceived subjective norms related to their reported intention to return to camp. This study attempted to isolate the camp activities that were most associated with intention to return to camp. Change in intention to return was measured using pre-camp and post-camp questionnaire. The study was guided by the following research questions: RQ1. Does intention to return change from pre-camp to post-camp? RQ2. Which antecedent (e.g. perceived behavioral control social norms and attitudes toward behavior) is most strongly associated with intention to return to camp? The population for this study was residential campers (ages 10 - 12 or rising 5th through 7th graders) who attended a week long session at an American Camp Association accredited camp in western North Carolina. Consent from the parents/guardians and assent from the campers was obtained by the researcher. Questionnaires were administered by the researcher on the first day of camp and then again on the last day of camp.  At the end of the camp session all respondents were asked to identify the top three activities that made them want to return to camp in the future. The top three activities were: water-based activities with cabin all camp outdoor activities and all camp water-based activities. The primary purpose of this study was to determine if campers' intentions to return to Camp Hanes changed from the start of camp session to the end of the camp session. Intention to return to camp significantly increased from pre- to post-camp. The second goal of this study was to determine which antecedent--perceived behavioral control subjective norms attitudes toward behavior--was most strongly associated with intention to return to camp. The results indicated that all three of the antecedents significantly related to campers' intentions to return. Of the three antecedents attitudes toward behavior influenced intention to return to camp the most. With the knowledge of the significant influence that the antecedents had toward intention the implications for practice for camp practitioners particularly those who work at camps that are similar to the study setting--ACA accredited camps YMCA camps residential camps with weeklong sessions--were addressed. 

Additional Information

Publication

Thesis

Date: 2012

Keywords

Recreation and tourism, Behavioral sciences, Activities, Intention, Retention, Summer camp, Theory of planned behavior, Youth development

Subjects

Camps--North Carolina

Campers (Persons)--Attitudes

Children--Attitudes

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