Research demonstrates the value of camp for youth living with illnesses in terms of reducing isolation, improving self-esteem, and developing goal setting. Less is known about counselor-in-training (CIT) programs—a common approach to transition campers to leadership roles. This approach is prevalent at medical specialty camps, where youth report that CIT programs allow them to give back to camps they attended. CIT programs at medical specialty camps can be uniquely situated to foster character development (CD), given the inclusive community and motivated youth present.
This project aims to address questions, through engaging a community of practice, related to conceptualizing character within CIT programs in medical specialty camps, identifying policies and practices that promote CD, and exploring the accessibility, adaptability, scalability, and associated outcomes of a CD toolkit that we develop.
CoP members will engage CIT youth to conceptualize character in camp settings, identify practices that foster CD, and create and pilot a toolkit that describes such practices. As part of a larger initiative designed to expand and improve CIT programs, this project will result in a CD toolkit, a network of CD experts, practitioner briefs, and a peer-reviewed article.
