Positive Youth Development for Youth With Disabilities in a Therapeutic Camp Setting

Authors

  • Angela J. Wozencroft University of Tennessee, Knoxville
  • Jason L. Scott University of Tennessee, Knoxville
  • Steven N. Waller University of Tennessee, Knoxville
  • Macie D. Parsons University of Tennessee, Knoxville

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5195/jyd.2019.634

Keywords:

disability, outdoor therapeutic camp, youth development

Abstract

The purpose of this article is to describe the value of the outdoor camp experiences among youth with disabilities participating in an outdoor therapeutic camp. The focus of the analysis is to understand the dimensions of positive youth development amongst youth campers with disabilities. A total of 12 campers were interviewed, 6 male and 6 female. Emerging themes included: (a) social, (b) character building, and (c) self-confidence and provide linkages to positive youth development domains. Findings identified the benefits that youth receive from attending an outdoor therapeutic recreation camp program such as opportunities to interact with old and new friends, feeling like a member for the camp family, feeling accepted and able to be themselves. Other benefits included becoming more independent, autonomous, and more self-confident.

Author Biographies

Angela J. Wozencroft, University of Tennessee, Knoxville

Department of Kinesiology, Recreation, and Sport Studies

Associate Professor

Jason L. Scott, University of Tennessee, Knoxville

Department of Kinesiology, Recreation, and Sport Studies

Assistant Professor

Steven N. Waller, University of Tennessee, Knoxville

Department of Kinesiology, Recreation, and Sport Studies

Professor

Macie D. Parsons, University of Tennessee, Knoxville

Department of Kinesiology, Recreation, and Sport Studies

Master's Student

References

Allsop, J., Negley, S., & Sibthorp, J. (2013). Assessing the social effect of therapeutic recreation summer camp for adolescents with chronic illness. Therapeutic Recreation Journal, XLVII(1), 35-46.

Anderson, L. S., & Heyne, L. A. (2012). Flourishing through leisure: An ecological extension of the leisure and well-being model in therapeutic recreation strengths-based practice. Therapeutic Recreational Journal, 46(2), 129-152.

Anderson, L. S., & Heyne, L. A. (2013). A strengths approach to assessment in therapeutic recreation: Tools for positive change. Therapeutic Recreation Journal, 47(2), 89-108. The benefits of therapeutic outdoor recreation. (2012). SouthSource. Retrieved from http://source.southuniversity.edu/the-benefits-of-therapeutic-outdoor-recreation-102985.aspx

Arnold, M. E, & Silliman, B. (2017). From theory to practice: A critical review of positive youth development program frameworks. Journal of Youth Development, 12 (2), 1-20. doi:10.5195/jyd.2017.17

ATRA. (n.d.). About recreational therapy. Retrieved from https://www.atra-online.com/page/AboutRecTherapy

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Data & statistics. Retrieved February 18, 2015, from http://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/autism/data.html

Cotton, S. M., & Butselaar, F. J. (2012). Adventure camps for young adults and adults with mental illness. Psychiatric Services, 63(11), 1154. doi:10.1176/appi.ps.1154

Dawson, S., & Liddicoat, K. (2009). "Camp gives me hope": Exploring the therapeutic use of community for adults with cerebral palsy. Therapeutic Recreation Journal, XLIII(3), 9-24.

Duerden, M. D., Widmer, M. A., & Witt, P. A. (2010). Positive youth development: What it is and how it fits in therapeutic settings. Journal of Therapeutic Schools & Program, 4(1), 118-133

Gillard, A., Witt, P., & Watts, C. (2011) Outcomes and processes at a camp for youth with HIV/AIDS. Qualitative Health Research, 21 (11), 1508-1526. doi:10.1177/1049732311413907

Hamilton, A., Mazzucchelli, T. G., & Sanders, M. R. (2015). Parental and practitioner perspectives on raising an adolescent with a disability: A focus group study. Disability & Rehabilitation, 37(18), 1664-1673. doi:10.3109/09638288.2014.973969.

Hamilton, S., Hamilton, M., & Pittman, K. (2004). Principles for Youth Development. In S. Hamilton & M. Hamilton (Eds). The youth development handbook: Coming of age in American Communities (pp. 3-22). Thousands Oaks, CA: Sage.

Hebblethwaite, S. (2013). “I think that it could work but…”: Tensions between the theory and practice of person-centered and relationship-centered care. Therapeutic Recreation Journal, 47(1), 13-34.

Johnson, K. & Bagatell, N. (2017) Beyond custodial care: Mediating choice and participation for adults with intellectual disabilities, Journal of Occupational Science. 24(4), 546-560. doi:10.1080/14427591.2017.1363078

King, G., Lawm, M., King, S., Rosenbaum, P., Kertoy, M. K., & Young, N. L. (2003). A conceptual model of the factors affecting the recreation and leisure participation of children with disabilities. Physical & occupational therapy in pediatrics, 23(1), 63-90.

Lekies, K. S., Yost, G., & Rode, J. (2015). Urban youth’s experiences of nature: Implications for outdoor adventure recreation. Journal of Outdoor Recreation and Tourism, 9, 1-10. doi:10.1016/j.jort.2015.03.002

Lerner, R. M., & Lerner, J. V. (2013). The positive development of youth: Comprehensive findings from the 4-H study of positive youth development. Washington, DC: National 4-H Council. Retrieved from https://4-h.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/4-H-Study-of-Positive-Youth-Development-Full-Report.pdf

Lerner, R. M., Lerner, J. V., Almerigi, J., Theokas, C., Phelps, E., Gestsdottir, S., . . . von Eye, A. (2005). Positive youth development, participation in community youth development programs, and community contributions of fifth grade adolescents: Findings from the first wave of the 4-H Study of Positive Youth Development. Journal of Early Adolescence, 25(1), 17-71. doi:10.1177/0272431604272461

Lindsay, S., McDougall, C., Menna-Dack, D., Sanford, R. & Adams, T. (2015). An ecological approach to understanding barriers to employment for youth with disabilities compared to their typically developing peers: Views of youth, employers, and job counselors. Disability and Rehabilitation. 37(8), 701-711. doi:10.3109/09638288.2014.939775

McLean, D. D. & Hurd, A. R. (2015). Kraus’ recreation and leisure in modern society (10th ed.). Burlington, MA: Jones & Bartlett Learning.

Milner, P., & Kelly, B. (2009). Community participation and inclusion: People with disabilities defining their place. Disability & Society, 24(1), 47-62. doi:10.1080/09687590802535410

Moxham, L., Liersch-Sumskis, S., Taylor, E., Patterson, C., & Brighton, R. (2015). Preliminary outcomes of a pilot therapeutic recreation camp for people with a mental illness. Therapeutic Recreation Journal, 49(1), 61-75.

Patterson, I. (2007). Changes in provision of leisure services for people with disabilities in Austrailia. Therapeutic Recreation Journal, 41(2), 108-118.

Pilchak, H. L. (2008). Mental health benefits of therapeutic riding programs (Unpublished doctoral thesis). Univsersity of Toronto, Canada.

Ratcliff, K., Hong, I. & Hilton, C. (2018). Leisure participation patterns for school age youth with autism spectrum disorders: Findings from the 2016 national survey of children’s health. Journal of Autism Developmental Disorders. 48(1), 3783-3793. doi:10.1007/s10803-018-3643-5

Ridolfo, H., & Schoua-Glusberg, A. (2011). Analyzing cognitive interview data using the constant comparative method of analysis to understand cross-cultural patterns in survey data. Field Methods, 23(4), 420-438. doi:10.1177/1525822X11414835

Shelton, K. (2011). Therapeutic camps as respite care providers. Therapeutic Recreation Journal, 45 (1), 17-31.

Sheppard, L., & Unsworth, C. (2011). Developing skills in everyday activities and self-determination in adolescents with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Remedial and Special Education, 32(5), 393-405. doi:10.1177/0741932510362223

Shogren, K. A., Wehmeyer, M. L., Palmer, S. B, Rifenbark, G. G., & Little, T. D. (2015). Relationships between self-determination and postschool outcomes for youth with disabilities. The Journal of Special Education, 48(4), 256-267. doi:10.1177/0022466913489733

Zuwarski, M. E. (2015). Perspectives on a positive youth development environment for youth with developmental disabilities in 4-H. Retrieved from http://digitalcommons.spu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1001&context=cpy_etd

Downloads

Published

2019-03-12

Issue

Section

Program & Practice Articles