An Evaluation of Psychosocial Outcomes for Children and Adolescents Attending a Summer Camp for Youth With Chronic Illness

Abstract

This study evaluated health-related quality of life (HRQOL) and hope in youth after participation in a summer camping program for children with chronic medical conditions. A total of 102 youth (mean age = 13.10 years, SD = 2.37) with various medical diagnoses (e.g., cancer, 36.9%; kidney disease, 21.4%) participated in the study. Findings from the Children's Hope Scale indicated that from pre- to post-camp, youth were more confident in their ability to identify strategies to accomplish goals. Additionally, findings from this scale suggested that the identification and development of personal goals is associated with enhancement of perceived HRQOL at the post-camp assessment. No significant differences emerged in HRQOL from pre- to post-camp. Overall, the results are consistent with previous studies of positive benefits of the camp experience; this study indicates that youth participation in chronic illness camps facilitates increased hope and goal-directed behaviors, which contributes to improvements in psychosocial functioning.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

We thank Reverend Danny Cavett, Jenny Rodgers, and the Cavett Kids Foundation for their permission to conduct this study and their facilitation of data collection during camp. We also thank Camp Weaver, PhD, Stephanie Hullmann, MS, and the Camp Cavett counselors for assistance with data collection. We are very grateful to the Camp Cavett campers and their families for their participation in the project.