Resident Environmental Education Camps and Staff Stress

Abstract

Staff stress can be detrimental to staff unity and overall program effectiveness in resident camps. Ten university students responsible for planning, implementing, and evaluating programs were observed and tested for evidence of stress-level factors and any relationship of these to program performance. Several administrations of the Multiple Affect Adjective Checklist (MAACL), staff self-reports, and unobtrusive observations were undertaken to identify stressful situations. The data suggest that the group level of anxiety diminishes as succeeding resident groups are encountered. Slight increases in depression and hostility relate to length of overall program and staff responsibilities. Camp administrators need to be aware of factors which can help eliminate staff stress.