Workplace Fatigue Within Summer Camp: Perspectives From Camp Health Care Providers and Directors

Abstract

Background: Summer camps engage millions of youth in enrichment opportunities during the summertime while employing a substantial young adult workforce to provide high-quality programs and services to camp participants. Workplace fatigue has been implicated in camp-related injury and illness events, yet few studies have targeted fatigue among camp employees. Purpose: This study aimed to better understand how fatigue impacted employee performance as well as strategies for reducing the negative impacts of fatigue within camp settings. Methodology/Approach: Focus groups were conducted with camp health care providers and directors, and their responses were analyzed using directed content analysis. The analysis process was guided by sensitizing concepts from the literature. Findings/Conclusions: Emergent themes suggested that camp-related fatigue is conceptualized as a construct of time, types, and causes; is a distinct experience leading to setting-specific outcomes; is managed using administrative and peer supports; and is sometimes perceived in positive ways. Implications: This exploratory study highlighted the unique challenges associated with working in a camp setting and the potential development of fatigue as a starting point informing future research. It suggests that future research should include a broader study population, including frontline staff, as well as possible quantitative measures.

Gestão de campos de férias para crianças

“…These authors also observed that the investment in training could increase staff retention. Similarly, Dubin et al (2020) concluded it was essential to identity fatigue causes, and that improving privacy and personal space at camp and access to technology could help alleviate staff fatigue. It was also proposed to incentivise staff to use their time-off for sleeping, reduce the program of activities, and allow staff to have more time in passive supervision and relaxation activities.…”

“…This is evidsent by growing numbers of publications in the sport and physical education literature, including opinion articles (e.g., HENDERSON, 2018), special issues (e.g., BIALESCHKI; BROWNE, 2018), or specific sources for industry trends (e.g., Camping Magazine), which has led to two main areas of camp study: outcomes and operations (HENDERSON et al, 2007). A large part of recent publications covers participation outcomes (e.g., WEAVER et al, 2014), while some focus on operational (HENDERSON et al, 2007) or managerial aspects as camp safety (e.g., CHANG et al, 2017), consumer behaviour (e.g., OMELAN et al, 2018), or staff (e.g., DUBIN et al, 2020). This dispersion of information has limited critical discussion on how child camp management processes can be improved.…”

Using participatory culture‐specific consultation to support the mental health needs of summer camp staff

“…What is more, while caring for campers who are living at camp, counselors themselves are also living away from their own homes and support systems. This necessitates the completion of a number of tasks related to their own well-being such as laundry, attending events, and enrolling in university courses (Baker, 2020;Dubin et al, 2020;Rubin et al, 2018).…”

“…Currently, research on camp staff experiences suggests staff must juggle multiple demands, both invigorating and draining. In addition to creating a caring and supportive context in which camp and personal values can be transmitted (Rubin et al, 2018; Sorenson, 2018) and camper development can be promoted (Henderson et al, 2007; Wallace, 2008; Wilson et al, 2019), camp staff are also responsible for handling demanding camp schedules, managing camper behavioral issues, completing paperwork, and participating in fundraising, all with a relative lack of privacy or time off during the summer months (Dubin et al, 2020; Hall et al, 2020). What is more, while caring for campers who are living at camp, counselors themselves are also living away from their own homes and support systems.…”

“…What is more, while caring for campers who are living at camp, counselors themselves are also living away from their own homes and support systems. This necessitates the completion of a number of tasks related to their own well‐being such as laundry, attending events, and enrolling in university courses (Baker, 2020; Dubin et al, 2020; Rubin et al, 2018). Additional interpersonal stress can arise due to counselors' close proximity to and shared responsibilities with one another, including living with co‐counselors and dating relationships at camp (Baker, 2020).…”