Come One, Come All: 4-H Camping Programs and Children With Special Health

Care Needs

Letters Home - My Story

• Attended 4-H Camp, 4th grade

• Jr. Counselor at various 4-H camps

• Pursued college education in FCS

• Began “career” at Heart Camp, Summer 2006

• Camp Aldersgate in 2008

• Other camp experiences

• Child Life Intership/Certification

Camp Traditions - The Concept

• 4-H is the nation's largest youth organization

• 4-H is open to everyone

• 4-H members develop life skills using a “learn by doing approach” (experiential learning)

• Camp is a perfect setting for learning life skills

If this is true, we must ask...

Purpose of the Study

...How do 4-H camps incorporate children with diverse needs?

• Specifically, children with special health care needs

• Defined as:

• Assess 4-H camps' accommodations for youth with special health care needs

• Validate accommodations made by 4-H camps for youth with special needs

• Encourage inclusive 4-H programs

Purpose of the Study

Curious Campers - Questions

• How many youth with special health care needs are currently served by 4-H camping programs?

• What are the perceptions of 4-H camp directors regarding the effectiveness of serving youth with special health care needs?

• What accommodations are being utilized to serve youth with special health care needs at 4-H camps?

Read All About It - Literature

• Attitudes of 4-H Professionals and Volunteers

– (WV/MD) about 90% believe inclusive programs benefit everyone

– (WV) 2/3 did not feel adequately trained

– Concerns: taking time from other 4-Hers, disruptions to the program

– (MD) 65% had some experience

– Comfort level: hearing/physical impairments v.s. mental retardation and emotional disorders

Read All About It - Literature

• Methods for Designing Inclusive Programming

– (Purdue) describes benefits of inclusive programming

– Lists “successful projects” - gardening, animals, food, woodworking, collecting, and clothing, etc.

– Resource materials – dissemination, training, promotional exhibits

– (Ohio State) “Winning 4-H Plan”

– Provides resources and simulation trainings; experiential learning process

Read All About It - Literature

• Examples of Successful Programs

– (NC) “Intentionally Inclusive 4-H Programs”

– Pilot program, implemented in 3 counties

– Focus: disability awareness, value of inclusion

– (IN) 4-H Horse and Pony Program

– Suggestions: volunteer trainings, incorporate information for communicating with parents, & flexibility with judging

Camp Schedule - Methodology• Population

– Summer camps affiliated with the 4-H program

– Nationwide study

– Directors, Agents

• Instrument

– Web-based survey

– 5 component areas

– Review for validity and reliability

• Collection

– SurveyMonkey.com

– E-mail distribution

– Dillman's method

• Analysis

– Exported to Excel

– Coded appropriately

– SPSS analysis

What Comes Next - Future

• Nationwide significance

• Validation of successful programs

• Encourage expansion of 4-H programming

• Promote 4-H

• 4-H as a trend-setter

See Ya Next Year - Questions?