Camper Self-Concept Promotes Environmental Awareness: A Relationship Mediated by Social Inclusion

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5195/jyd.2018.526

Keywords:

camp, environment, personal development, social inclusion, self-concept

Abstract

Summer camps in Canada provide services to hundreds of thousands of youth each year, giving opportunities for growth and development. However, summer camps in Canada remain understudied. Using one phase of data from the Canadian Summer Camps Research Project (CSCRP), analysis was conducted on the effect of camper self-concept on their environmental awareness, mediated by perceived level of social inclusion. A relationship between camper self-concept and environmental awareness existed, and that relationship was enhanced when campers were socially included. These findings show preliminary connections between self-concept and environmental awareness in summer camps, and open opportunities for further research into personal and long-term effects of camp participation on environmental viewpoints, social group integration, and self-concept.

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Published

2018-04-20

Issue

Vol. 13 No. 1-2 (2018): Special Issue on Camp Experience

Section

Feature Articles

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