PROBLEM: IS ATTENDING A RELIGIOUSLY AFFILIATED U.S. DAY CAMP A POSITIVE LIFE INFLUENCE? 

SOLUTION:

Develop an Evidence-based Understanding of Religiously Affiliated U.S. Day Camps’ Mission Performance and Multifaceted Contributions

HOW WE DID IT:  

Personal experiences and anecdotes contribute to the belief that attending a religiously affiliated day camp not only develops campers socially and emotionally but also is an important element of their religious life journey. Because of a lack of robust data on the influence of U.S. day camps in general, a non-profit  that promotes excellence in the management and programming of more than 300 day and overnight religiously affiliated camps and summer experiences asked The Samuels Group to measure the day camp experience. Using a validated approach, we developed a customized, evidenced-based Logic Model that will permit the non-profit to objectively identify and measure short- and long-term camp-related outcomes and impacts not only among campers, but their families and camp staff as well.  

RESULTS:  

The Logic Model process will permit evidence-based definition of a “well-run camp” as well as of important social, emotional and religious identity development.  Using these definitions, the non-profit will then assess its day camps performance and contributions.  The results will enable data-informed modifications to camps’ programming; recruitment and retention of campers, staff and benefactors so as to enhance the opportunities and likelihood for the best outcomes for campers and their families and camp staff.  Ultimately, the project will document how the non-profit and camps fulfill their mission to build a strong religiously affiliated future of their stakeholders through transformative day camp experiences.