Short-Term Camping for Boys with Behavior Problems

Camps as Social Work Interventions: Returning to Our Roots

“…Utilization of the group is considered to be a primary element in adventure programs (Williams, 2000). Social work's focus on the use of the group as the medium to effect change (Davis- Berman and Berman, 1989;Gentry, 1984;Middleman and Seever, 1963) further suggests that social work has much to offer camps. This paper attempts to illustrate the extent to which social group work interventions can be highly compatible and effective in the camp context.…”

“…Indeed, a literature search found a substantial body of social work literature discussing camp programs from the 1950s to the 1970s (Feldman, Wodarski, and Flax, 1975;Middleman and Seever, 1963;Ramsey, 1964;Schwartz, 1960a,b;Shalinsky, 1969a,b;1965;Vassil, 1978;Vinter, 1965). In contrast, relatively few articles have been published since the 1970s (Gentry, 1984;Kelk, 1994;Langdon and Kelk, 1994).…”

“…Several writers have acknowledged the compatibility of social work and camp programs (Davis- Berman and Berman, 1989;Gentry, 1984;Marx, 1988;Middleman and Seever, 1963;Newstetter, 1938;Shalinsky, 1969a,b). Kelk (1994) maintain that "camping programs may be an effective, or at least adjunctive, intervention for a wide range of client groups commonly serviced by social workers" (p. 41).…”