Summer Camp Research Camper Survey John Hancock Center for Youth and Family Ministry Research Report V. Bailey Gillespie, Ph.D., Michael J. Donahue, Ph.D., Research Coordinators North American Division - Summer Camp Ministries & the Center for Church Growth
9 2008-200 T C E J O PR ESEARCH R R E P M A CAMP C SUMMER
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Table of Contents Introduction & Overview of the Research. . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .! 2 Study Design & Methods . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .!
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Outcomes & Attitudes. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .! 5 Summary of Findings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .! 6 !
Who were the campers we surveyed?. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .! ! 6
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Age, gender, ethnicity. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ! 7
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Schooling, baptism. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .! 8
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Decisions, church attendance and affiliation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .! 9
Outcomes & Attitudes Survey Questions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .! 10 Outcomes & Attitudes Summary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .! 11 Observations & Conversations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .!14 !
Outcome or attitude gain, loss, or status quo . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .!14
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Agreement with the outcome and attitude scales . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .!16
Observations & Insights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . !17 Further Reporting . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .!18 Appendix A — Survey Number, Table Label, an& Questions Wording . . . . .!20 Appendix B — “My Most Favorite Part of Camp” . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .!24 Appendix C — “My Least Favorite Part of Camp” . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . !28 Appendix D — “Decisions for Christ Made at Camp” . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .!36 Appendix E — “I’m Glad We ...” . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .!42 Appendix F — “I Wish We Could Have ...”. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .! 47
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Summer Camp Camper Survey A report based on Twenty-Two Adventist Summer Camps 2008-2009 RESEARCH REPORT #1
Building Spiritual Youth • Growing Biblical Values • Sharing Jesus’ Love
INTRODUCTION & OVERVIEW OF THE RESEARCH Over the years, summer camps in the Seventh-day Adventist Church have provided an opportunity for young people to become involved in ministry with children and youth on a first-hand basis as staff members. Huge numbers of young people attend camp each summer, many returning campers as well. Summer camps have employed hundreds, if not thousands, of young people learning all types of skills. It was the purpose of this part of the Summer Camp research to see the influence of summer camps on the campers themselves. Our earlier research report targeted the staff and alumni of the select camps. From this research, we are confident that Conference youth camps provide a unique asset for local church, personal spirituality, loyalty to the church, future employment in
“The amazing worship we had everyday, and the way we were treated like adults. Also I loved having open gym every night! It was a great way to play around, talk with the pastor or just hang out”
the church and conference ministry to young people. Camps reach a population of young people and adults that begins as early as 5th and 6th grades all the way through older teens. The question remains, how can these conference resources best be used in order for the Hancock Center for Youth and Family Ministry • www.hancockcenter.org
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summer camping experience to be excellent as well as maximized by local church use in their local ministry? A related question persists as well. What could be done to maximize their potential? To begin this
Campfires really helped me decide how I need to do more even though I’ve already been baptized. Campfires had a huge influence on me!
investigation, we focused first on staff and campers. Later we will focus on adults who use the camps in family ministry settings. The family camp research will continue during the fall of 2009 with additional contacts from Family camp membership during the 2009 season. The 2008 summer season only provided a minimum number of possible respondents so our research team has decided to continue this
research for one more summer (2009) to provide adequate numbers of participants. This report targets only the camper survey conducted in the summer of 2008. Eventually, after the Family Camp Research Report, The John Hancock Center for Youth and Family Ministry staff will begin to write a resource for use by local churches as they plan retreats using summer camps as a destination. This resource will benefit both local church pastors in their planning, and camp directors in their implementation of meaningful weekend retreats. But first the work at hand is the camper survey completed in August, 2008.
STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS We proposed to understand a number of expectations by camp directors as derived by the Crawford Slip Method activity in December of 2007. Camp directors and administrators throughout the North American Division at their annual meeting were asked to identify five of the most important outcomes for campers for their own camp ministry. A total of 560 outcomes were collected and analyzed and a list of possible outcomes were identified. These outcomes became the basis of the camper survey. Summer camps were selected by random choice to provide a balance of representation throughout the North American Division camps. Additionally, fifteen (15) camps were chosen as research subjects for the summer of 2008. Seven (7) more camps were chosen to balance geographical distribution, Union representation, and ethnic diversity. The following is a list of the camps chosen, the total number of surveys sent, and the total number of surveys returned at the close of the 2008 summer camp season. All of the selected camps were asked if they would participate. Upon their approval, we sent the number of surveys they requested along with a letter explaining how the survey was
“My best memory was when we were sitting on the floor of our cabin and I’m a Catholic and we all talked about becoming a Adventist and studying with a Adventist pastor.”
to be conducted. A total of 8,628 surveys were shipped to summer camps and at the close of the suMmer a total of 4,613 were returned.
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What follows is a list of the selected study camps and the record of surveys sent and returned. CAMPS
SURVEYS SENT
SURVEYS RETURNED
Camp Cherokee
192
116
Camp Winnekeag
400
217
Mt. Aetna Summer Camp
400
0
Laurel Lake Camp
300
134
Camp Pugwash
200
65
Camp Frenda
200
0
Timber Ridge Camp
200
199
Camp Wakonda
200
131
Camp Mivoden
550
535
Sunset Lake Camp
550
397
Big Lake Youth Camp
800
747
Leoni Meadows
1200
662
Pine Springs Ranch
950
617
Camp Kulaqua
536
136
Indian Creek Camp
700
293
Camp Yorktown Bay
180
0
Glacier View Ranch
280
239
Camp Heritage
120
53
Camp Victory Lake
180
0
Camp Hight Point
160
0
Camp Lone Star
180
0
Camp Winnekaes
100
72
TOTAL
8,628
4,613
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In doing statistical work, it is crucial to use the best possible data; therefore, after looking at the 4,613 returned camper surveys we determined that in order to get ‘clean” data sets, we would need to scrub the data using well-defined parameters. These included: (1) large sections of blank answers, (2) patterns of responses that indicated no knowledge of the questions, (3) multiple answers per question and, (4) uncharacteristic or non-sequitur responses to open-ended questions. That being the case, we ended up with a total of 3,829 surveys that we used in our statistical analysis. This was exactly 83% of our returned surveys, clearly enough to accurately provide a representative sampling of the camps in the North American Division. The instructions provided with the surveys to camp directors and counselors who would administrate the survey asked that they be given after the Friday meeting, sometime on Sabbath, or early Sunday morning. Students at the School of Religion in the M.Div. program and students on Federal Work-Study scholarships did the data entry. Since students work only part-time, it took five months to enter all of the data, including the open-ended responses to the survey. Data analysis was done using JMP, statistical software designed for use on Macintosh computers.
Outcomes and Attitudes Survey Questions Through previous research with camp directors and our on-line directors’ survey, we determined important outcomes and attitudes that those in charge of summer camps felt imperative to explore. Thirteen categories of concerns were identified and explored in the following categories. Demographic information. Questions regarding age, gender, ethnicity , schooling, school type, church attendance, denomination, and camp years were selected. In addition, information was received regarding the campers’ religious identification. One question asked if they had been baptized — 46% said “Yes” to this question and 54% said that they had not been baptized, which would indicate that slightly more than half of the campers in summer camp have not been baptized before coming to camp in the summer of 2008. Another question specifically aimed at summer camp attendance clarified their commitment to repeated visits to camp. In addition to general demographic information, a number of outcomes and attitudes were examined and explored in two ways. First, the question was asked, (i.e. I like to try new things). Second, the campers were allowed to answer if that had changed since attending camp. They include the following: New Things — One’s attitude to exploring and stretching oneself by trying new things, and if that was more, the same, or less since coming to camp. Importance of being an Adventist — Part of a loyalty scale developed in this research and how camp has impacted this concept.
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Independence — A number of questions explored this attitude, questions that focused on reliance on parents and the influence of others on their decisions. And we wondered if camp had impacted their sense of independence or not. Worldview — We were concerned if camp had or had not impacted their view of their future. Respect & Fairness — This area of concern centers on one’s attitude towards others. Self-concept — This area included such concerns as how they felt about themselves, their relationship to discipline and rules, just how adventurous they are, personal identity questions, relationships to others, leadership, Religious identity — Here we included a scaled group of questions that include these concepts: religious worldview, church attendance, importance of Adventist worship, religious purpose, local congregational support. Personal responsibility — We felt one outcome of the summer camp experience would be a gradual taking responsibility for one’s own decisions and choices. A number of questions focused on this concept. Teamwork — Questions in this area targeted the outcome of learning to work with others and in groups towards a goal. Environmental awareness — Questions in this area are classic and used in many surveys on understanding the out-of-doors and ecological concerns. This area of stewardship is crucial for summer camp education. We asked about protection of animals, wasting resources, nature’s relationship to God, outdoor survival, and recycling, Respect & Fairness — This area of concern centers on one’s attitude towards others. Spiritual development — Areas in this circle of concerns include the way nature reminds of God, one’s attitude towards faith growth, their own relationship with God. Knowledge — Cognitive understanding of a number of skills were identified in this scale of questions; for example, one’s ability to know more than one way to do things that need to be done, ability to do something right.
“What did I like best? Most definitely the different activities, chapel, counselors, friends, and accepting atmosphere. I can’t decide because everything at camp is my favorite thing.”
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SUMMARY OF FINDINGS — WHO WERE THE CAMPERS WE SURVEYED?
AGE: How old are you? 30% 25% 20% 15%
15%
18%
21% 17%
15% 9%
10%
3%
5%
10
11
12
13
14
GENDER: Are you a boy or girl?
15
16
Girl Boy
40% 60%
ETHNICITY: Which of the following best describes you? American indian Black or African American Hispanic or Latino/Latina
4% 7% 8%
White or Caucasian Bi-racial or Multi-Racial Other - Asian/Pacific Islander
63% 7% 11% 13%
26%
39%
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52%
65%
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SCHOOLING: Grade in school 65% 52% 39% 26% 13%
4%
20%
18%
13%
18%
14%
11%
2%
4th grade 5th Grade 6th Grade 7th Grade 8th Grade 9th Grade 10th Grade 11th Grade
If you answered yes to the baptism question we asked what age you were baptized. The median age was 10. The maximum age reported was 17 years of age. BAPTISM: Have you ever been baptized? 100% 80% 60%
54%
46%
40% 20% Yes
No
80% 64% 48%
48% 36%
32% 16% 2% Public
SDA day
SDA boarding
4%
4%
Non-SDA private Non-SDA Christian
6% Home
SCHOOLING: What type of school do you attend?
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DECISION: Have you ever made a decision for ‘Christ? 100% 81%
80% 60% 40%
19%
20% Yes
No
Church attendance. One of the most important survey findings has to do with church attendance patterns. The media estimates that about 40% of Americans attend church weekly. The statistics are significant, 25% of adult Americans claimed to attend church or synagogue every week; 12% almost every week; 16% once or twice a month, 18% a few times a year and 30% never. In the SDA church, 72% of our young people report that they attend church once a week to several times each week. In our campers survey we found that of these young people, 62% attend once a week or more. Here are the charts that break down their church attendance patterns.
CHURCH: How often do you attend worship services at a church? 80% 64% 48%
48% 32% 16%
12%
9%
Never
1 x/month
14%
2 or 3x/month
12%
Weekly
2 times a week/more
Church affiliation. 70% of those surveyed said they attended a Seventh-day Adventist church while 20% identified themselves as attending some other church or denomination. In our survey only 10% did not attend a church at all. Camp attendance. When asked how many times they had attended summer camp, a surprising group are “repeaters,” 52%. Here is the chart that identifies their camp attendance patterns. Hancock Center for Youth and Family Ministry • www.hancockcenter.org
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CAMP: How many years have you come to camp? 80% 64% 48% 32%
32% 20%
16%
21%
15%
7%
1% First time
1 other time
2 times
3 times
4-6 times
More than 6
Camp Experience rating. We asked all of the campers to rate their whole camp experience before they were asked questions that were camp specific in regards to activities, attitudes, learning and religious experiences. Here are the scores: note that 88% is above 80% to 100%. It is clear that overall, campers had a very good time at camp. CAMP ENJOYMENT: On a scale of 1-10 rate how much you enjoyed camp Best time ever! - 10
39%
9
34%
8
15%
7
6%
6
2%
5
3%
4
1%
3
0%
2
0%
Absolutely the worst time ever!- 1
0% 10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
Outcomes and Attitudes Survey Questions The majority of the remaining 43 questions on our survey dealt with the attitudes and outcomes of the summer camp program. In this section a unique scoring was used. In every question there were two parts. The first part of the question was a statement and the campers were asked to rank these on a 5-point scale from “Strongly disagree” to “Disagree” to Neither agree nor disagree” then Agree, and finally, they could choose “Strongly agree. This score would give us their degree of commitment to the statement proposed. Next on the same line, the campers were asked to evaluate how camp had impacted that statement. The question format looked like this. ! !
!
!
!
!
!
!
Since coming to camp I feel...
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Statement
SD
D
Neither
A
SA
Less
Same
More
I enjoy working with others towards a goal
1
2
3
4
5
Less
Same
More
So for each question we had both an opinion and an evaluation of the impact that camp made on this issue. So for each question there are two percentage scores. The first indicates their commitment to the statement, the second their belief of how camp has changed them in that particular area. We report the findings in the following way, first by outcome or attitude, then by question, and then the two percentages described before. Here is an example of how we can see the impact of camp. Outcome or Attitudes
%”Agree” & Strongly agree”
Less because of camp
Same because of camp
More because of camp
71%
4%
56%
40%
%”Agree” & Strongly agree”
Less because of camp
Same because of camp
More because of camp
I like to try new things to do
84%
2%
48%
50%
I enjoy going to new places
91%
2%
47%
50%
Trying new things is important to me
75%
3%
55%
42%
%”Agree” & Strongly agree”
Less because of camp
Same because of camp
More because of camp
It is important to me that I am an Adventist
68%
6%
45%
49%
Attending worship at an Adventist church is
59%
5%
56%
39%
%”Agree” & Strongly agree”
Less because of camp
Same because of camp
More because of camp
I need my parents to help me do things
32%
22%
63%
15%
I need help with most of the things I do
17%
20%
65%
15%
Before I make an important decision, I talk
55%
7%
67%
26%
I enjoy working with others towards a goal
Outcomes and Attitudes Summary OUTCOME: New Things
OUTCOME: Importance of Adventism
important to me
OUTCOME: Independence
to other people
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OUTCOME: Independence
%”Agree” & Strongly agree”
Less because of camp
Same because of camp
More because of camp
24%
17%
68%
15%
%”Agree” & Strongly agree”
Less because of camp
Same because of camp
More because of camp
83%
2%
44%
54%
%”Agree” & Strongly agree”
Less because of camp
Same because of camp
More because of camp
Itʼs more important to play fair than to win
83%
2%
53%
45%
I respect other people
83%
2%
52%
46%
%”Agree” & Strongly agree”
Less because of camp
Same because of camp
More because of camp
I feel sure of myself
76%
4%
52%
44%
I follow the rules
71%
3%
66%
30%
I am a good leader
61%
5%
66%
30%
Iʼm not worth much
9%
27%
46%
26%
I know how to make good decisions
72%
3%
59%
39%
I feel secure
74%
4%
56%
40%
If kids were choosing a leader, they might
40%
10%
71%
20%
50%
5%
71%
24%
I find that when I work on a project, other people just get in my way
OUTCOME: Worldview
I have a good life ahead of me
OUTCOME: Respect & Fairness
OUTCOME:: Self Concept
vote for me Other kids look up to me
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OUTCOME: Religious Identity
%”Agree” & Strongly agree”
Less because of camp
Same because of camp
More because of camp
45%
6%
56%
37%
20%
16%
68%
16%
64%
4%
61%
35%
61%
4%
61%
35%
%”Agree” & Strongly agree”
Less because of camp
Same because of camp
More because of camp
I enjoy working with others toward a goal
72%
4%
57%
40%
I enjoy working on group projects
58%
5%
61%
33%
%”Agree” & Strongly agree”
Less because of camp
Same because of camp
More because of camp
Wild animals should be protected
82%
3%
54%
43%
Learning about nature helps me learn
72%
3%
51%
46%
82%
2%
53%
45%
45%
10%
63%
27%
68%
5%
57%
38%
77%
3%
57%
40%
My whole approach to life is based on my religion I go to church mainly because I enjoy seeing people I know there It is important to me to attend my home church It is important to me to participate in my home church
OUTCOME: Teamwork
OUTCOME: Environment Awareness
about God We should not waste what we have, even if we have a lot of it I would like to know how to identify animals by their tracks I would like to know what things in the forest are OK to eat Recycling is important
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OUTCOME: Spiritual Development
%”Agree” & Strongly agree”
Less because of camp
Same because of camp
More because of camp
77%
2%
42%
56%
71%
3%
47%
50%
I have a close relationship with God
70%
3%
41%
56%
What religion offers me most is comfort in
59%
5%
58%
37%
I am deeply moved by the beauty of Godʼs creation I seek out opportunities to help me grow closer to God
times of trouble and sorrow
OBSERVATIONS & CONVERSATIONS We have provided a wealth of information in this first report. But as you can see, there is much more to come as we continue to evaluate and analyze our data sets. For example, our next report should have the following information: Using age as a variable, look at the outcomes based on older vs. younger campers Using church affiliation as a variable, look at the outcomes to see if camp impacts this group in a different way. Using baptism and non-baptism as variables, look to see how this impacts the outcomes we have identified. Using church attendance as a variable, look to see its impact on positive outcomes Using high scores in environmental awareness, view the impact of this mindset on the outcomes Using spiritual development and religious identity as variables, see how many are predisposed to have positive outcomes. And, of course, see in all these calculations if exposure to summer camp has an impact on the positive outcomes again. There are multiple other variables that we may decide to look at, but these will have to wait for our next report as we continue to analyze our data sets. 1.
Outcome or attitude gain, loss, or status quo because of camp. For now, however what observations can we feel confident about and what conversations might these observations lead us to discover? When we look at the individual questions, we can see an interesting trend: in most cases a significant percentage of the summer campers from the 2008 summer camp season saw improvement in these outcomes due to their participation at summer camp. Over all, 37% of the campers felt “More” because of camp experience in all of the eleven areas of outcomes, while 56% of the campers did not feel any change in these eleven areas of outcomes and attitudes. At the same time, only 6% of the camper population senses “Less” because of
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camp experience. The following graphs illustrate this in a more detailed way. Each chart ranks the percentages from the highest to the lowest by outcome or attitude.
Percentage Loss /per Outcome or Attitude Independence
17%
Religious Identity
8%
Self Concept
7%
Adventism
5%
Knowledge
5%
Respect
4%
Teamwork
4%
Environment
4%
Spiritual
3%
Worldview
2%
New Things
2% 4%
8%
Self Concept
12%
16%
20%
42%
56%
70%
72%
Independence
66%
Knowledge
64%
Religious Identity
62%
Teamwork
59%
Environment
56%
Respect
53%
Adventism
51%
New Things
50%
Spiritual
47%
Worldview
44% 14%
28%
Percentage Status Quo “Same” /per Outcome or Attitude
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Percentage Gain/per Outcome or Attidute Worldview
54%
Spiritual
50%
New Things
47%
Respect
46%
Adventism
44%
Teamwork
37%
Self Concept
32%
Religious Identity
31%
Knowledge
31%
Environment Independence
24% 18% 14%
28%
42%
56%
70%
Agreement with the outcome and attitude scales (averaged). One may note that the outcomes and attitudes identified in the chart below are averages for the individual scales that make up each category in our outcome and attitude listing. The chart below identifies the average percentages of all of the questions in each category or their scaled score to be more accurate. Percentage of “Agree” and “Strongly Agree”/Outcome or Attitude Worldview
83%
New Things
83%
Respect
83%
Environment
71%
Spiritual
69%
Teamwork
65%
Adventism
64%
Knowledge
61%
Self Concept
57%
Religious Identity Independence
48% 32% 20%
40%
60%
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80%
100%
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Observations & Insights They understand that they want to have a good life” ahead of them as an indication of their worldview. In addition, 83% of the campers both liked and enjoyed trying new things and going to new places. This probably shows the anticipation young people have at trying new things. They are both excited about it and do wish to attempt new challenges and take new opportunities, 83%. Fairness and respect are important qualities these young people bring to their camping experience along with deep respect for environmental concerns Many are already spiritual in their focus, and remember, 50% of these campers attributed growth because of the camp experience and said, “More because of camp,” while only 3% said ‘Less because of camp.” Campers seemed to have agreed at 65% of the total the need for working together and 37% grew in this area because of the camp experience. 64% saw their identity as that of being Adventist in nature, but at the same time 31% saw that increase due to the camp activities and worship programs. When one looks at the open-ended responses regarding what they liked most about camp, the most often identified spiritual activities included campfire, worships, plays, pageants, sermons, cabin devotions as important in forming their religious attitudes Learning was also seen as important and 31% saw this as being impacted by their camp experience. The learning centered on doing something right, learning more than one way to do something, and learning first aid in this category outcome. Self concept outcomes provide an interesting assessment. It is one of the largest scales in our survey with eight separate concepts identified by survey questions. This scale proved to be very reliable statistically speaking and was well above .5 in reliability (Anything above .39 is often considered reliable). The self concept outcome also had one of the lowest scores in regards to agreement with only 57% as the mean score for the total of this scale. With only 40% of the group, a bit more than one-third of the campers saying that they might be picked if kids were choosing a leader, still, 32% felt better about themselves after being at camp. So there seems to be some positive growth in this area as in the other categories.. Religious identity, or religious worldview, directly related to the local congregations from which the campers come. Just less than half of the campers saw themselves with a strong religious worldview, while 31% felt their worldview was “more” since summer camp. Camp seems to have impact on one of the big questions of adolescent identity — that of seeing life as positive.
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Independence relates to one’s self concept and it is usual that this score would be one of the lowest with only 32% “agree” and “strongly agreeing” to the statements in this scale. While only 17% felt that they would need help with most of the things they would do, 32% believed they need their parents to help them do things. 55% would feel free to talk to others when they needed to make an important decision. Only 18% felt that camp had made a substantial difference. This is one of the lowest outcomes in the survey. a further study of this particular section will break out age differences, which will be revealing and helpful in planning activities which stress independence and self reliance. Further reporting We recognize that this is the first of what we believe to be at least one more report. It will take some time for us to analyze the variables in relationship to these outcomes. But we expect to be able to do this in the fall of 2009 while we finalize the family camp survey results and make a report on this effort as well. In addition, there are a number of possibilities for conversation that might be posed. Individual camp reports can be made available with a report that contrasts the individual study camp with the overall results. This may prove valuable for individual camp evaluation and assessment of outcomes, along with specific comments about the camp. The Appendices provided here have been edited to take out most
“What did I like best? Well, all the fun I had with friends, going to the pool, riding horses, and the other activities. Plus I like the skits and sermons that draw me closer to God and inspire me to tell the good news of God.”
personal information in order to provide a report for all of the camps. This material can be included in individual camp reports. We believe that these will take some time to do, but once we have a suitable template, they can be produced at a minimal cost. Our projected costs for individual camp reports is $300 at this time. The open-ended questions provide a wealth of information. We did not have room to include all of the responses, but we believe we have included every category mentioned in the responses. As you can imagine, there were over 4,000 surveys with responses on these four questions (Q. 41, Q. 42, Q. 43, Q. 44). And while many did not elect to provide short essay responses, the average return on each of the questions was between 1,500 and 2,200 answers. Multiply this times 4 questions and you have a huge body of information. Using an average of 1,850 answers per questions, that would be 7,400 +/- short answers to our four questions. We can provide all of the answers to these four questions to individual camps, if requested, and will be included in individual camp reports if desired.
One challenge in this survey was that the oversampling of ethnic groups was difficult. Some camps requested surveys, but failed to send them back to the Hancock Center so they could be included in this report. However, with the census size of over 4,000 respondents, there are Hancock Center for Youth and Family Ministry • www.hancockcenter.org
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substantial numbers of ethnic representation. However, it is true that most of the camps that responded had a majority of white or Caucasian campers complete their surveys. This may reflect a disproportionate balance of socioeconomic ability to afford summer camp, and may point to the challenge of getting inner-city and other groups who are usually under-represented in studies like this to be able to go to camp. This conversation would help balance the ethnicity of the summer camp population. Our survey indicates that more ethnic representation is needed to reflect the Seventh-day Adventist church population statistics, or certainly the United States national census data. The John Hancock Center would like to thank the youth directors and camp managers who participated in our research study along with the North American Church Resource Center and the North American Division Youth Ministries leadership for their funding of this project. And while we are aware that the ambiance of summer camp may not be conducive to survey completion, we are happy so many agreed to participate and allow us to work on this project. Our center now must finalize the Family Camp surveys with names and addresses for this 2009 summer season in order to fulfill our responsibility to study this unique group. And, in addition, we will begin work on the Retreat Manual for Pastors which we promised in our initial proposal. We target late 2009 or early 2010 for delivery of this product.
Hancock Center for Youth and Family Ministry • www.hancockcenter.org
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APPENDIX A Survey Number, Table Label, and Questions Wording Question #
Table label
Questions Wording
1-1
Age
How old are you?
1-2
Gender
Are you a boy or a girl?
1-3
Ethnicity
American Indian, Black or African American, Hispanic or Latino/Latina, White or Caucasian, Biracial or Multiracial, Other
1-4
Schooling
What grade are you in school?
1-5
Baptism
Have you ever been baptized?
1-6
Baptism age
How old were you when you were baptized?
1-7
Decision
Have you ever made a decision for Christ?
1-8
Decision age
If so, how old were you?
1-9
School type
Public school, SDA day school, SDA boarding school, non-Adventist private school, non-Adventist Christian school, home school
1-10
Church Attendance
How often do you attend worship services at a church?
1-11
Denomination
SDA, another church or denomination, I don’t attend a church
1-12
Camp years
How many years have you come to camp?
1-13
Camp ranking
How much did you enjoy camp this summer?
2-1a
New things
I like to try new things
2-1b
New things camp
Since coming to camp I like to try new things. (More/Same/Less)
2-2a
Adventism Importance
It is important to me that I am an Adventist.
2-2b
Adventism importance/camp
Since coming to camp. (More/Same/Less)
2-3a
Independence
I need my parents to help me do things.
2-3b
Independence/camp
Since coming to camp. (More/Same/Less)
2-4a
Worldview
I have a good life ahead of me
2-4b
Worldview/camp
Since coming to camp. (More/Same/Less)
2-5a
Self concept
I feel sure of myself
2-5b
Self concept/camp
Since coming to camp. (More/Same/Less)
2-6a
Religious identity
My whole approach to life is based on my religion
2-6b
Religious identity/camp
Since coming to camp. (More/Same/Less)
2-7a
Self concept
I follow the rules
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Question #
Table label
Questions Wording
2-7b
Self concept/camp
Since coming to camp. (More/Same/Less)
2-8a
Responsibility
Before I make a decision I think about what might happen
2-8b
Responsibility
Since coming to camp. (More/Same/Less)
2-9a
Teamwork
I enjoy working with others toward a goal
2-9b
Teamwork/camp
Since coming to camp. (More/Same/Less)
2-10a
Self concept
I am a good leader
2-10b
Self concept/camp
Since coming to camp. (More/Same/Less)
2-11a
Environment
Wild animals should be protected
2-11b
Environment/camp
Since coming to camp. (More/Same/Less)
2-12a
Environment
Learning about nature helps me learn about God
2-12b
Environment/camp
Since coming to camp. (More/Same/Less)
2-13a
New things
I enjoy going to new places
2-13b
New things/camp
Since coming to camp. (More/Same/Less)
2-14a
Independence
I need help with most of the things I do
2-14b
Independence/camp
Since coming to camp. (More/Same/Less)
2-15a
Self concept
I am not worth much
2-15b
Self concept/camp
Since coming to camp. (More/Same/Less)
2-16a
Religious identity
I go to church mainly because I enjoy seeing people I know there
2-16b
Religious identity/camp
Since coming to camp. (More/Same/Less)
2-17a
Respect
I respect other people
2-17b
Respect/camp
Since coming to camp. (More/Same/Less)
2-18a
Faith development
What religion offers me most is comfort in times of trouble and sorrow
2-18b
Faith development/camp
Since coming to camp. (More/Same/Less)
2-20a
Self concept
I know how to make good decisions
2-20b
Self concept/camp
Since coming to camp. (More/Same/Less)
2-21a
Environment
We should not waste what we have, even if we have a lot of it
2-21b
Environment/camp
Since coming to camp. (More/Same/Less)
2-22a
Faith development
I am deeply moved by the beauty of God’s creation
2-22b
Faith development/camp
Since coming to camp. (More/Same/Less)
2-23a
Faith Development
I seek out opportunities to help me grow closer to God
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Question #
Table label
Questions Wording
2-23b
Faith development/camp
Since coming to camp. (More/Same/Less)
2-24a
New things
Trying new things is important to me
2-24b
New things/camp
Since coming to camp. (More/Same/Less)
2-25a
Self concept
I feel secure
2-25b
Self concept/camp
Since coming to camp. (More/Same/Less)
2-26a
Independence
Before I make an important decision, I talk to other people
2-26b
Independence/camp
Since coming to camp. (More/Same/Less)
2-27a
Independence
I find that when I work on a project, other people just get in my way
2-27b
Independence/camp
Since coming to camp. (More/Same/Less)
2-28a
Knowledge
I would like to know how to identify animals by their tracks
2-28b
Knowledge/camp
Since coming to camp. (More/Same/Less)
2-29a
Knowledge
Once I know how to do something right, I don’t need any more information about it
2-29b
Knowledge/camp
Since coming to camp. (More/Same/Less)
2-30a
Religious identity
Attending worship at an Adventist church every week is important to me
2-30b
Religious identity/camp
Since coming to camp. (More/Same/Less)
2-31a
Self concept
If kids were choosing a leader, they might vote for me
2-31b
Self concept/camp
Since coming to camp. (More/Same/Less)
2-32a
Teamwork
I enjoy working on group projects
2-32b
Teamwork/camp
Since coming to camp. (More/Same/Less)
2-33a
Environment
Recycling is important
2-33b
Environment/camp
Since coming to camp. (More/Same/Less)
2-34a
Knowledge
I prefer to know more than one way to do things I need to do
2-34b
Knowledge/camp
Since coming to camp. (More/Same/Less)
2-35a
Knowledge
It is important to know basic first aid
2-35b
Knowledge/camp
Since coming to camp. (More/Same/Less)
2-36a
Faith development
I have a close relationship with God
2-36b
Faith development/camp
Since coming to camp. (More/Same/Less)
2-37a
Self concept
Other kids look up to me
2-37b
Self concept/camp
Since coming to camp. (More/Same/Less)
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Question #
Table label
Questions Wording
2-38a
Environment
I would like to know what things in the forest are OK to eat
2-38b
Environment/camp
Since coming to camp. (More/Same/Less)
2-39a
Religious identity
It is important to me to attend my home church
2-39b
Religious identity/camp
Since coming to camp. (More/Same/Less)
2-40a
Religious identity
It is important to me to participate in my home church
2-40b
Religious identity/camp
Since coming to camp. (More/Same/Less)
3-41
Positive camp
Favorite part of camp?
3-42
Negative camp
Least favorite part of camp? (Open-ended response)
3-43
Glad camp
I’m glad we .... (Open-ended response)
3-44
Wish list
I wish we would have... (Open-ended response
3-45
Decision
Was there any particular moment or activity which helped you decide it was time for you to make a decision for Christ? (Explain)
2-19
Fairness
It’s more important to play fair than to win
2-19b
Fairness/camp
Since coming to camp. (More/Same/Less)
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APPENDIX B My Most Favorite Part of Camp*
(I have a lot of things) Wake‐boarding and all the staff and friends activities; talking with my friends; pastor’s sermons
Activities, friends, meeting new people, staff are really nice, I love worship at chapel, and bible studies all of it All of the staff are like family. I love all of the activities and counselors help with everything, horses!
All the activities we got to chose from and the staff are so nice, and willing to help others All the different classes and making new friends and the totally awesome pastor we had All the exercise and friends you get to hang out with, and the talents you can show All the fun activities and making new friends and old friends All the fun I had with friends, going to the pool, riding horses, and the other activities. Plus like the skits and sermons that draw me closer to God and inspire me to tell the good news of God All the great people and the counselors who helped me!! My new friends and my new feel for the way I look at God
Archery Archery and hanging with new friends
Archery and waterfront and wilderness survival Being able to go to group activities and being able to see your friends Being able to have fun with the other campers Being able to see my friends, learn more about God, and feeling welcomed by the staff
Being able to spend a fun week relaxing my mind. I especially like waterfront Being with my cabin mates and getting to know others Busting it out CampQire Canoeing Chapel and waterfront Classes such as waterfront and gymnastics that let you try new things and have fun Drama class and last year’s class. Also, spending time with friends Drama. I liked how our skits and everything always involved you Everything Everything was fun, there was nothing bad about it except that I lost a few things that belonged to me Everything! I love CHEROKEE! Everything! This camp is the most amazing place ever! I love coming here! Favorite part of camp is Sabbath! Free swim and archery Friends and activities Hancock Center for Youth and Family Ministry • www.hancockcenter.org
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Get the biggest air on the screamers Getting apple juice and playing volleyball. Waterfront Getting my pathQinder honors Getting new friends Getting to know all the great people, and getting closer to God here has made me happy Getting to know more people and learn about God Getting to know new friends and people and having a great time Getting to know the staff and doing my activities Getting to meet new people and hang out with them Getting to wakeboard and spending time with friends, talking with pastor Bob, hanging out with him. I also like the pool Going on the canoes and going tubing. Also learning about God. Going on the screamers Going to waterfront and the screamers and especially hanging with my friends Hanging out with friends Hanging out with my friends and doing activities I like to do Hanging out, tubing, riding horses, sleeping Having fun with others kids Horse back riding and doing things at night like open gym Horseback riding! The staff was great! Horsemanship, canoeing, friends Horsemanship and trail riding Horses! Go rangers! How nice people were and how everybody is really patient with the students How nice all the staff is I enjoy the fun thing we can and the fun songs. I wish we could do more things to do I got baptized! I like all the activities we can do and the foods good. I don’t like that we have to get up early and don’t have much time to get ready I like the sea slide and the plays I liked getting to go to 5 different classes to get my PathQinder honors. It was fun, especially horses I liked horsemanship the best because we got to learn about horses and we got to learn how to ride. I didn’t like that we didn’t eat meat. I liked screaming and knee boarding I liked the activities the most I liked the screamers and the horses. The best. I loved ALL of it I loved hanging out with people from our cabin and going to waterfront I loved how I was able to learn how to wake‐board! I really liked the Friday night skit I think the periods and getting to know other people there was cool. But I loved recreation too I was there! Knee boarding
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Learning about God and making new friends Learning more about things I didn’t know about God and my church Listening to Paster Heraldo teach! And to learn more about the world Making friends with Francis, and playing sports at recreation Making new friends and trying new things Meeting my counselors, Sabbath, waterfront, trail riding, and chapeL Meeting new friends and learning new skills Meeting new people Meeting new people and growing closer to God Meeting new people, learning about God, having God be a part of our life, enjoying the water, nature, horses to sum it all up Meeting new people, seeing friends from last year and becoming closer to God Most deQinitely the different activities, chapel, counselors, friends, and accepting atmosphere. I can’t decide because everything at camp is my favorite Mountain biking, basketball, the ladies My favorite part of camp was campQire listening to our camp pastor preach and the activities and church My favorite part of camp was the Oregon Trail party My favorite part of camp was the waterfront My favorite part of camp was waterfront screaming and sea sleds My favorite thing to do is waterfront My friends My most favorite part of camp was archery My most favorite part of camp was the really, really, really random Indian play My most favorite part of camp would be the Indian attack and the tubing on the waterfront My most favorite part was the new and interesting passion play Oregon Trail party Passing the horse test, making new friends Playing chess Playing sand volleyball and tubing. I also liked basketball. I like how the staff is always there to talk to you even when it’s late. I also love the food Riding horses on trails Riding horses. They make me feel free from the rest of the world Screaming on the lake Seeing my friends and learning more about God Seeing old friends, having a great time with new ones, and hanging out with the awesome pastor Swimming and horseback riding Swimming and open gym Teaching was awesome!!!!!!! That we got to go to different activities The being able to go to group activities and being able to see your friends The gym The horses and the staff, horses is my favorite activity, and the staff is great. They’re always there to help and they know how to be both adult and friend The morning and night worships and learning more about God Hancock Center for Youth and Family Ministry • www.hancockcenter.org
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The passion our pastor gave in his sermon The periods especially horses!! Also all of the wonderful God related things The plays and worship The screamers(tubes)/ Sabbath The sermons and being with friends The staff, waterfront, archery The waterfront activities The waterfront and the screamers and especially hanging with my friends Trail riding and singing. I like that we could ride everywhere it was muddy, and when we couldn’t ride we could groom the horses. I really appreciated how kind and friendly all the staff are. That really helped me out. Trail riding was nice and the 2nd horsemanship the best. 3rd archery was a ball. I love swimming lessons too Volleyball, being with friends and the best pastor in the whole wide world he rocks He is very touching Waterfront (so far) Waterfront and archery Waterfront and chapel Waterfront and learning more about God Waterfront and trail riding were my favorite parts of camp. I want to come next year too! Waterfront and tubing Waterfront, getting major waves on sit down tube, and knee boarding When I trotted on the horses and having fun When I was on the banana thing the see sled. When we got to learn more about Christ and God during Bible study Worshipping God, the plays, hanging with the counselors, the cabin, riding screamers
*(This is not a complete list but represents a summary of the most often used favorite camp activities).
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APPENDIX C My Least Favorite Part of Camp*
How long campQire, not camp council, campQire stretches This survey and the Cascades. A girl above our cabin with a British accent A girl in photographing who kept on take my picture when I asked her nicely to stop A kid was mean, but God loves him. And all the swimming rules A lot of things were “cheesy” and boring A wasp was living in our cabin Actually, I don’t know. There were little glitches that I didn’t like, but those weren’t very important. All the drama that went on in the girls cabins All the hard walking!!! Alex being a big fat JERK and going to the cascades and doing surveys and Alex pooping on the toilet seat. All of it was great but if I had to pick one it would be skin diving. I didn’t think it was very fun All of my allergies, asthma and illnesses getting in the way All of the drama. All of the rules All of the stealing and disagreements All the arguing between cabin mates All the bugs All the cussing that was going on All the drama All the drama, because I hate crying. On the rodeo night I was having a hard time. All the hiking…OH WELL! All the thing was fun but my least favorite part is horse back riding All the uphill walking Always, always having to be with cabin An annoying camper Aquatics camp! We go to try a bunch of different things and I had a great time trying to do tricks on the wakeboard. The counselors were awesome too! Archery Archery because it was hard Archery, there seemed to be too much pressure At Qirst I did not like walking all the way up to the base, but after awhile it was fun walking with all my new friends. At go‐carts my helmet wasn’t Qitting At night because I couldn’t go have fun Hancock Center for Youth and Family Ministry • www.hancockcenter.org
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Baked potato’s for lunch Becoming homesick at the end of the week Bed time Being annoyed by a camper Being at the nurses ofQice when I got hurt Being bored Being bored and not knowing anything of camp, Qirst two days of camp Being homesick Being in a non‐ air‐conditioned bus Being in line Being in the hot sun a lot Being made fun of by my cabin members Being picked last as a cabin for almost everything Being really homesick Being scratched up by a tree during horseback riding Being segregated Being separated from all the other cabins and being stuck in one group, not ever leaving. I wanted to have ‘chill time” with all the other boys and girls cabins Being sick and having headaches and throat aches. My other least favorite things was line call because I think we have to much because we go down there and then we just go somewhere I wish you could just ask our counselors Being sore Being sunburned when it was overcast and 70 F Being teased The egg jello stuff this morning at breakfast Big event I always got hurt. A little ruff for me. BMX cause I fell every lap Break time because people keep bothering me. Breaking my toe on the second day of camp and just the fact that everything is cramped so I was always tired BUDDY CHECK Buddy check and the sweat Bug bites BUGS Bugs and getting my clothes dirty Bugs and how early we woke up Cabin check Cabin rotation Camp Qire bowl and walking to high ropes Campers that think they are the boss CampQire stretches so long and buddy check Cascades Cascades and showers. Certain cabin mates who loved to pick a Qight. Also, only getting to trot once and only for a few feet.
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Certain people, cold showers, and going to bed so early Church and campQire bowl benches HURT super bad when the service goes on and on. It’s a major DISTRACTION for me. I love listening, but sometimes I can’t stand sitting there any longer! Church, no one really paid attention Cleaning and getting up in the morning Cleaning up horse pooh Cold showers Cold, small, uncomfortable showers (showers are supposed to be nice and pleasant!) Crashing at Go‐Carts Didn’t have one. I love it all Dishes, trays, and buddy check Do the activity on Saturday it was hard Do the dishes Doing kitchen patrol. Also the sun being so sunny Doing the activities where we walk around and do random stuff and the normal people, but that can’t be helped Doing this survey Drinking three pitchers of water, and too much standing songs Dude all was great Everything was awesome! Fake meat and my retarded cabin mates Falling off the horse when we were suppose to canter, I lost my footing Falling off the leap of faith. Owww… Falling off the wakeboard Feeling a tiny bit homesick Fighting and mean comments Filling out surveys Flies and mosquito’s were my least favorite Getting “teased” (bullied) by some of the other kids in my cabin Getting cold in the lake and feeling sick Getting homesick and not able to talk to them. Getting hurt Getting really dirty and leaving Getting sick Getting sore and not enough time for afternoon activities Getting sun burned and eaten by mosquitoes and the fact that Amber, Drew, and Becky weren’t here Getting thrown into the creek! Getting up early Getting very bad sun burn on the tips on my ears that hurt very badly Getting yelled at by ____, I almost lost my riding privileges. Going home Going swimming in the cold water
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Going to bed Going to line call Hardly any sleep, we need more rest Having a mean substitute counselor, marching, line call, and having lights out so early Having follow staff everywhere when some of them are only a couple of months older then me Having my butt fall asleep every night at campQire Having no one to hang out with Having sore muscles after working hard at volleyball. Having the classes be so short Having to ask somebody to the banquet Having to do the dishes Having to drink certain amount of pitchers of water before getting to eat some of the meals and some of the activities Having to get messages from a pastor every morning and evening. Once a day would be just right for me. Also all the raining, but that’s nothing you can change Having to get up earlier than what I am use to Having to go by strict routine Having to go to bed Having to say goodbye Having to stay with my cabin all the time Having to walk all of the way down to the pond under the hot sun Having to walk everywhere and cleaning the toilet. Having to walk to the rodeo and cowboy and Indian camp, it really hurt my feet from having a long day Having to walk up and down the archery walk way path Hiking because I fell a lot! And it hurts! Hiking on the Sabbath and watching reenactments of stories that I know very very very well Horse riding Not having meat How all the counselors cared a lot more about themselves and not the campers just because we are older doesn’t mean they can ignore us more How dirty the bathrooms always were How my cabin didn’t get to do the wasp or the zip line! And the food was kind of gross and how my cabin had to do dishes twice while some cabins didn’t do it at all! And the mean girls in my cabin and how we didn’t go to the store often How we didn’t get to spend much free time with kids outside of our cabin How we didn’t really get to talk to our friends during down time and they don’t allow us to talk to the other gender I didn’t get to be in Spanish camp If it had any bad experiences here I really can’t recall them at all. In the cabins it gets way too warm on the top bunk! It was really hard to sweep everything so I think you should get a vacuum. It is when I have to leave It was nothing Hancock Center for Youth and Family Ministry • www.hancockcenter.org
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Kids talking about me Knowing that I have to leave at the end of the week Line call because it was not fun but it is very important Line call was way too much standing. Line call, because we have to stand in the heat for a long time a lot line call! line call!!! Line call. The bathroom being 70 feet away from our cabin. How long this survey is. How there isn’t wake boarding or water skiing Line call. We just stand there Mosquito bite infections My horse stepped on my foot when I was watering her My least favorite part about camp this year is nothing. I love it all My least favorite part of camp is that the other boy did not want to pick up his stuff and so our cabin was messy My least favorite part of camp was all the food was vegetarian My least favorite part of camp was Qilling out the survey and having to drink all that water My least favorite part of camp was getting in trouble My least favorite part of camp was going to bed early My least favorite part of camp was having lights out at 10:00 My least favorite part of camp was having to walk all over the place and taking this survey. My least favorite part of camp was hurting myself My least favorite part of camp was not being separated into groups like cowpoke. Buckaroo and Brush popper. Also my wagon clean every single bathroom and shower at cowboy My least favorite part of camp was seeing my close friend hurt and in pain. My least favorite part of camp was short rest periods My least favorite part of camp was sitting in grass My least favorite part of camp was the banquet My least favorite part of camp was walking long distances My least favorite part of camp was when our cabin had to go the nurses ofQice My least favorite part was getting bug bites and visiting the nurse My least favorite part was leaving camp My least favorite part was line call, I just don’t like to stand outside and wait to be dismissed to go wherever My least favorite part was not having lights in the bathroom and showers My least favorite part was waking up in the morning My least favorite part was when I almost fell off my horse My least favorite thing was getting up too early My least favorite was the train ride My least part of camp was bullies My least part was taking a cold shower My not so favorite part of camp was nature discovery No meat Hancock Center for Youth and Family Ministry • www.hancockcenter.org
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Not being able to do archery Not being able to get to do everything I wanted to do Not being able to go to sleep because the cabin was so hot Not being able to have my phone and ipod because I love music and it helps me feel closer to home Not being able to make a call when it’s important to me but no body else Not being able to some morning activities and having to repeat others such as swimming‐ I did that three times‐ and I didn’t do the challenge course, rock climbing, zip line, or wasp Not having a very good communication with the pastor Not having anything to do when we have lots of extra time like if we could do something, but some other people can decide not to do it but other people can be watching us Not having as much freedom from my cabin NOTHING at ALL! Nothing. Everything was awesome Out counselor was mean and yelled at us, pushed me over and told me to shut up! Rest period Sabbath activities Sadly Sabbath was. Church activities were Qine, but the lack of swimming and wake‐ boarding was not good Saturday because I hate the hike and Friday because we didn’t see Qireworks like last year Saying by to mom and dad leaving Saying good‐bye So much religion Some of the food was a little gross. Some of the food, the walking, waiting, and the code reds I got homesick The cabin checks The code red it was so quiet and you couldn’t get up The cold showers The food The food and not a lot of time to just get to know the other campers other than my cabin The food, I love veggie food but this year it wasn’t great The food, I wanted to trot with the horses and couldn’t The food, some was okay, some was NOT! THE FOOD! The food! Well sometimes it is good. We also need more rest time and time to hang out with friends The food! I could not eat the veggie meat! The food! We need meat!!! The go‐carts breaking and line call The go‐carts, Indian camp, and the zip line
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The hike back up from the overnighter and that sometimes the staff don’t really communicate with campers, like talk that is The hike to Dog town The hike to the rodeo The hike up from the Cascades!!! The hike. I don’t like hiking and I was really tired by time I got back The hikes to Cascades. The hikes to cowboy camp The horse Qlies on the hike on Sabbath The hot sun and seeing people leave and getting sick The lack of cooling systems and capabilities in the cabins The line calls The little amount of showers and bathrooms The meals and running. The meals were kinda whack this year but it was okay The mean counselors The mean girl in my cabin The mosquitoes and how immature all the campers were (most of them, not all). The immaturity of a lot of campers frustrated me The most mosquitoes, the dust that does not come off and the cleaning of the bathrooms The nasty old run down bathroom The nature center is a log ways away so I did not like the long hike over there. Also getting along with two people in my cabin was not fun it was hard. The rivalry between cabins drawing us apart The Saturday morning service but that was still cool. It’s tough to Qind something not cool The Saturday thing should be more exciting like that one year when we were running away from the Romans. Just a suggestion. The scallops, all of the other food was great! The staff has tried so hard to make camp so enjoyable and it is so I really can’t complain The time when worship went too long, line calls and wake up times The veggie food Veggie meat but it was bearable The water toys, they were too crowded Umm, not having electricity in the bathrooms. Vegetarian meat! Volleyball, disrespectful cabin mates, and fake meat Waiting at line call Waiting before meals Waiting for food Waiting for things to happen Waiting to be called to get our food at meals Walking a lot Walking a really long ways Walking and line call Hancock Center for Youth and Family Ministry • www.hancockcenter.org
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Was when we had a sub counselor Water in cabin smelled bad (when hot) I was boring barely any pets in nature, song service bad this year, barely any activities We did not get to see our guy friends that much. It is hard when you have a boyfriend, but also I did not like that some activities got canceled We didn’t do capture the Qlag much. I did NOT like candy kickball! I love capture the Qlag! We didn’t have enough road time (mingling with opposite sex) and we had to go to bed too early. We didn’t have enough road time! Don’t skit out on Friday boo What I did not like was doing nothing and going to bed early and waking up early When a cabin member and I fought and the really hot days When a horse accidently stepped on me. When we did sad songs and I song that played at my baby brothers funeral and some songs make me cry for my baby brother!!! I really did not have a bad day, or minute at camp. We are always doing something and most of the time if is super fun, but other‐wise we made it fun. (* This summary is a representative selection of the categories analyzed by way of content analysis. Duplications and similar statements have been eliminated from the list for economy.)
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APPENDIX D “Were there any particular moment or activity which may have helped you decide it was time for you to make a decision for Christ?” (Explain)* 4th of July up at campQire at cowboy camp the dramas and the air was so spiritual. I already made a decision for Christ, but my relationship with God was deQinitely strengthened this week A song drama camp staff put on Friday night. A song drama that was about how things can get us farther from Christ A song called sanctuary “Lord prepare me to be a sanctuary” inspirational! After the agape feast when Emily performed her skit, it was really powerful After the play on Friday night All of the skits helped and especially the “every thing” skit! All the dramas and singing dramas! It set a really good example!! Always at campQire, the evening worship‐ the campQire is the place of trust Archery because I’m getting better and could be a soldier of the Lord. Around the Qires after campQire at the cowboy camp As I told you…the boat ride was when I became close to God At Calvary learning about Jesus dying for our sins At camp and in church At camp council I was really touched by Pastor Ken At camp council, I love camp council At camp Qire because pastor talked a lot about Christ At camp Qire every night At campQire At campQire bowl with the prayer challenges I prayed with 92 people Friday At campQire I looked out and saw how amazing God is to make such a beautiful scenery At campQire in the ‘everything’ skit At campQire on Friday there was a drama that showed what Jesus has done for us At canoeing At ceramics on Monday At church today At church when the pastor said to come up to the front to get a red ribbon At church today when they talked about Christ and all the songs we sang about him At high ropes. When you are trying to balance and you think you are going to fall, I had to trust in someone so I decided to trust in God. At night when we sing songs At the campQire when everyone told a story of why they like Christ At the beginning of horses everyday At the campQire on Friday night At the campQire the Qirst night. At the Cowboy Camp the fourth At the Qire in the pot At the Friday play Hancock Center for Youth and Family Ministry • www.hancockcenter.org
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At the very last black night play At wagon camp At worship At worship and singing because I felt close to God when I felt down At Baptism Being out in God’s nature Bible studies with Tom on Friday Camp Qire and everything skit CampQire bowl and horses CampQires really helped me decide how I need to do more even though I’ve already been baptized. CampQires had a huge inQluence on me! CampQire at Friday night CampQire bowl made me make a decision CampQire council devotions CampQire on Friday night, I had felt the presence of the Lord CampQire on Sabbath week CampQire, and camp council CampQire! Singing songs helps me make a decision CampQires because they worshiped Challenge course‐leap of faith and the other height one. Church was that one time I made that decision! Church was where I accepted Christ Coming to camp Devotions Doug’s prayer at church and Friday night’s play Drama Friday night Drama on Friday night Drama really catches my attention. I really get a lot out of the religious (and funny) plays. During a skit by the staff During Bible study During cabin worship During Emily’s play I felt that I needed to connect better with God During high ropes course During my Qirst year at family camp During our time with our cabins over at the tin can Qires During Pastor’s stories During rock climbing During Sabbath School During cruciQixion play! During the evening talks During the Qire thing, it was awesome During the Friday night song drama During the last song drama During the passion play, it really spoke to me During the programs Hancock Center for Youth and Family Ministry • www.hancockcenter.org
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During worship and through prayer Every single skit got me closer Everyday activities Everything Friday night during the passion play and after we had the Qire. When we saw the stars I deQinitely chose God Friday night our cabin talked about God and our lives and I’ve already made a decision for Christ, but it brought me much closer! Friday night, 4th of July. I really felt God’s spirit and know he would wash away my sins. There that night is when I have chose to live my life for God, with Jesus by my side Friday night. It was when we sat around the Qire and just got into really deep discussion Friday night’s drama Friday nights Friday’s campQire and the cabin discussion afterwards From beginning to end. All of the counselors were cool to me and everybody listened to what I have to say and its cool that God gave us the chance of friendliness From the very Qirst time I stepped foot on this camp is when I took my step to loving and devoting myself more to him Geocaching Getting on the horse Having the discussions with our cabin counselor Having worship was nice High ropes challenge course when I was afraid. The directors and God helped me High ropes class. I could feel his presence while I was in high ropes on Thursday. He was there for me (and church, school, etc) High ropes course I didn’t want to go, but then I knew Christ was with me and I was going to make it High ropes I needed to trust in God Hmm… one of the moments with the little kids or one of the cabin worships… I all ready made my decision for Christ but Friday night was very touching I don’t know but I know that coming here has been an amazing experience and that God will always be a part of my life I have already made a decision for Christ but if I haven’t it probably be when Mick was telling a story about how we can be so much better with Jesus I have already made the decision for Christ, but Pastor Mick helped me make the decision to be baptized I loved the Christian play last night (Friday night) it was so touching, it made me cry! Through church. It was like the best service I have been to. I really felt Jesus in my heart and have decided to be a true Christian. Thanks! In nature In worship time It was at church I decided to get a reminder to pay attention to God by getting a red ribbon. It was awesome It was more of a decision to help lead other to Christ and it happened Friday night at cowboy camp It was pretty much campQire that gave me a decision to make for Christ, and it was during every night Hancock Center for Youth and Family Ministry • www.hancockcenter.org
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It was the Friday night drama It was the song drama that got to me. God was with me when we got to watch the creation song drama It was Wednesday when we were going to horsemanship for photography It was when I saw the people get baptized It was when we all sat around the cars of Qine and talked about our lives It was yesterday in the skits and today Its mostly at the church services at night Just being out here this week Just the pastor talking and the sermons at campQire, and when we had reQlections on Friday night Kayaking Last night when I was singing Last night, the play Last week I had made a major decision, so this week I felt the same as last week when I decided that Last week, when we went on the nightly boat ride and all of the skits Listening to Pastor Paul he was an inspiration to me Listening to the director of aquatics and Chris talk about God at campQires Maybe. Sitting around the camp Qire by the lake and singing Mostly on Friday talking with our cabin and singing Mostly when the pastor was talking, it always meant something to me Mountain biking because I trusted Him not to let me fall Mountain biking because it shows you how hard you need to work, but God works even harder Mountain biking so I can see God;s nature experience life Music, and plays Nature, learning about how creative God is Night worship On Friday night when they did that song drama. It just took my breath away and made me understand On Friday when we got together with our cabin and talked around a little Qire of can about God and our life distractions On Fridays script was very good and made me realize what God had to do for us One night at campQire a guy was just talking, I started crying. I realized I wanted to start having a relationship with God One of the days when we were all singing the theme song together it just felt like God was there. That was my favorite moment. Passion play Pastor Phil made a sermon about being able to make a stand for your beliefs and that moved the mountain in my path!!! Pastor Troy’s worship Saturday at church when pastor T. said “stand up if you will give your heart to God Saturday big campQire Saturday when some boy was baptized Singing Hancock Center for Youth and Family Ministry • www.hancockcenter.org
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Sitting outside on my rock Skate boarding Skit with Jesus Some of the campQires made me totally rethink what I’m doing with my life The “everything” skit The campQire bowl really helped me make a big decision for Christ The campQire skit about things getting in our way of the Lord The campQires seemed to have brought me closer to God and I decided that the only thing that truly mattered was Christ. The cruciQixion The dinner right before Sabbath The plays and dramas that demonstrated God’s character. This last week The plays and kola’s singing The plays and skits were very moving The plays spoke to me and it made me want to do those things! The plays we saw at camp council and campQire The program on the 18th of July The Saturday night song drama The Seventh‐day Adventist talk that Tyler have. When we sat around the small Qire at the beach The skit of Jesus The skit on Friday night The song drama The very end play, it inspired me to be a better person and to accept Christ The very last song drama just opened me up so much The Wednesday night song drama and the Friday night song drama The whole camp experience made me feel it was time to make a decision There was when Pastor Philip preached and I felt like Jesus was so close to me There were many times wherry that happened because the whole week was spiritual This week because Janielle invited Christ into my life by a prayer This week! AND just getting to know all of the people here! This whole week. It has been an awesome experience, my next goal now is to work here. I can’t wait! When I asked Jesus into my heart When I became a teen When I became homesick When Pastor Mike described how much God loves us and will never give up on us no matter how much we sin When Mic started talking about “no matter what God will always love us” Hebrews 13:5 When Pastor Paul talked to us about that. When the pastor gave us the red ribbons so we could remember. When the pastor preaches When the person spoke to at campQire When the play about Jesus When they asked you to give your life to Christ Hancock Center for Youth and Family Ministry • www.hancockcenter.org
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When they had that play on Friday night When they did the play of Jesus, because it made me realize that God loves us a lot. When they showed the play about a girl that got separated from God. I felt as if I was that person and no matter how hard I tried I couldn’t get back on my own When Tyler said his life had been changed when he had been baptized When we all gathered together and said something nice about each other. It made me want to give myself to God again When we did the staple climb and we went 95 ft in the air, that’s when it happened. When we had worship When we let all our sins go at Calvary We read angel stories every night When we songs about God When we talked about life isn’t just about just us, it is about just Jesus When we talked with our cabins on Friday night When we watched the Friday night song drama When we went on the hike I saw all the things he made When we were around the little Qires with our cabins When we were at the church on Saturday When we were in drama doing improv When we were in the Qire ball When we were riding on the trails When we were singing. It kind of moved me and then I got them stuck in my head When we were sitting on the Qloor of our cabin and I’m a Catholic and we all talked about becoming a Adventist and studying with a Adventist pastor When we would have camp council When we would sing songs and pray! Yes, the last drama Yes, up at cowboy camp when I gave my life back to Christ again Yes, when it was church Yes, when my church talked about everything God could do Yes, when pastors talk about God it makes me want to get baptized even sooner Yes, I made a decision to Christ was being baptized Yes, when they showed the last drama it just opened my eyes even more and it made me have a totally different perspective Yes, when we did a song drama that was really powerful Yes, when we saw the powerful play on Friday night Yes, when we went and sat around the caned Qire Yes, we were in church Yes, when we were talking about Him Yes; Friday night! (* This summary is a representative selection of the categories analyzed by way of content analysis. Duplications and similar statements have been eliminated from the list for economy. If a person is named, we have elected to use only the first name.)
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APPENDIX E
“Finish this sentence. “I’m glad we ...”* have the opportunity to come to this awesome camp. Also, that Mivoden has amazing staff and that is an Adventist camp (people in my cabin) got along Have a new rock wall/wasp 2. Respect each other in the cabin 3. Are musical 4 got to try new activities a pony express all are not vegetarians all came close to God all came to camp all came together to worship all come together to worship God to better our relationship with him all could make it this year and have sooo much fun all could share this wonderful time together all encouraged each other and treated each other with respect all enjoyed the big events we had together! I wish that I could stay longer all got along all got to be friends and the we all could come to camp at GVR all got to come here all got to know each other and God all got up on a wakeboard all had a good time together! all had a good time! all had an awesome and fantastic week! all had fun and learned more about God and we did all those fun things we got to do. all learned more about God all made friend all of my friends got in the same cabin all stayed safe and had fun always have something to do here are able to make new friends at camp Are all brothers and sisters in Christ are almost done with camp are forgiven by Christ for our sins are going home are going to heaven to play are here as a cabin are safe are together and I am in wilderness camp Hancock Center for Youth and Family Ministry • www.hancockcenter.org
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are very close to God as in me and God were able to become closer! ate fake meat ate good food and had no injuries. ate ice cream became friends came closer to God at camp came to camp and had a blast came to camp and had so much fun came to camp and I felt I got closer to God came to camp and learned more about God and prayed to him came to camp and met people and got closer to God came to camp and talked to new people came to camp because I learned more about God and how to serve him came to camp because it brought me closer to God and meet new people came to camp because there are lots of activities can come and get away from the troubles of life and come here in a God Qilled sanctuary can come back this camp next year can come to a 7th Day Adventist camp and we worship Jesus and I meet new friends Can come to camp and had fun can get together at camp can get together with each other and praise the lord can have such a good bonding time with God can learn about God can learn about God in his creations can play activities during rest period can work together as a group and succeed in what we do chose to be best friends with everyone climbed the 95 foot tree conquered our fears.” could all learn about God together could come and see you guys and worship and not be afraid of what other people think could learn about God could spend time as a group did great job and have fun in our cabin did group things did horsemanship did model rocketry did most thing organized in our cabin did new things and learned about God did the rock wall, it helped me with my fear and it made me feel good when I reached the top Hancock Center for Youth and Family Ministry • www.hancockcenter.org
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did things so that I could learn hear things, have fun, and get closer to God did things that I’ve never done did things we have never done get a lot of food get closer to God get to go places together and see different things I never saw before get to go swimming get to go to the pond get to go to big event get to ride horses and do ropes course get to try new things it’s really fun get to worship God got a chance to meet people and try new things got to all be able to meet each other and make new friends got to associate better with each other got to be able to have a better relationship with Christ got to celebrate Sabbath! got to do lots of awesome activities and make some amazing friends. There were so many fun things to do. got to do the Sabbath activities got to get closer to God got to get even closer to God because here you just seem to get so close to God here at Camp because there are no distractions got to get out and do things on the out post instead of staying at the camp the whole time! got to get to know each other got to get together every single morning and night for campQire and camp council got to go all different places and do all the cool activities got to go and do all the fun things we did! I really glad we had we had a good time and we learned about God! got to know more about God got to make new friends got to meet new people, I made some awesome friends! got to worship God had a banquet, it was awesome! had a barn party had a blast had a camp Qire had a camp store to remember the camp had a chance to meet new people had a Friday night drama had a good time and got to know God better and that he will always be there we just have to take His hand and believe in Him. had a load of fun Hancock Center for Youth and Family Ministry • www.hancockcenter.org
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had all the amazing staff, I really love Courtney and Katie had an amazing time at camp and got closer to God. Here at camp I feel so close to God had camp because, we had a change to spend time with God. And we had a great counselor and cabin mates have activities because I would have never tried rock climbing, horseback riding, and go‐ carts have ALL the choices we have to choose from for our activities have an awesome camp with lots of fun and having a relationship with God have an awesome counselor!! have awesome and inspiring staff have belief in a God and that we can have fun have such great staff here that make it fun and easy to connect with God and each other learned a lot about God learned a lot and rode our horses learned a lot more about God and new friends Loped and cantered! What a rush! Loped on the trail a lot with Sarah. love Christ made a good movie made a lot of friends made friends met a lot of good staff and friends during activities. met new people. Camp is a great place to make friends and learn to love the Lord! paint balled play together playing basketball with the little kids pony express because I really liked my mom being able to be there but she wasn’t prayed a lot sang a lot of songs Friday night and we had a positive attitude about camp later on. I am also glad we got to meet new people and were the best cabin saw magic tricks and that I was in a good cabin share prayers with each other shared experiences signed up for extreme camp spend so much time in the beautiful outdoors!!! spend so much time on the water spent 50 % or more of our time with God spent so much time with the horses. Cause I learned how to trot and canter spent time talking to Mic about spiritual problems and held a discussion about mind provoking things tried new things tried new things even though we were scared
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wake‐boarded, sang, laughed, slept under the stars, asked questions and got answers and cried together during the dramas we have nice people it staff we went canoeing, swimming, and saw the rodeo well some of us; come together and be friends went BMX biking went on the Bible walk and talked about our troubles went on the blob went on the wasp went on the zipline went sailing were able to have pastor Baptist as our preacher because he made church more interesting. (I get bored easily) were able to interact with the horses were able to meet all kinds of amazing people this week were able to meet new people this summer a camp were able to ride horses and meet new people were able to work together as a team were actually here and had a good time were all forgiven for the‐sins we comment worshiped God every day. got to do camp and hang out with friends Were able to go to the lake and have an awesome time! (* This summary is a representative selection of the categories analyzed by way of content analysis. Duplications and similar statements have been eliminated from the list for economy. If a person is named, we have elected to use only the first name.)
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APPENDIX F Finish this sentence. “ I wish we could have...” * done more drills a party for the Qirst day of camp nothing more except for more things at the stores and smaller sizes for sweatshirts, clothes, and shirts real meat small groups all the time and better bread for lunch stayed longer 2 more days for fun a activity, Qishing a bathroom in our cabin a better banquet and more activities to get to know other cabin people (but nothing boring) a better bus a bigger go cart track a bigger lake a bigger ropes course a bigger water slide, and a private bus that would take us where ever we wanted to go so that we would not have to walk. a cool pastor every year a cooler theme song a couple more days at camp a diving board a door to the shower a drama teaching week! a earlier lunch period a faster train, deeper pool, and a lake a few more class choices a Qishing class a Qlag football camp to go to a free swim time each day a golf course a good day everyday a good life and have fun and learn, more about God a good time a guitar teaching class a high diving board a hot tub because at the pool my lips were turning light blue Hancock Center for Youth and Family Ministry • www.hancockcenter.org
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a little better food and air conditioners a little bit more fun a bit more freedom, to be able to sit on the road or in the grass a little more rest time a little more time to relax a long giant swing a longer free period time because it is short to me a longer time here a longer week a longer zip line a lot more time at camp a lot more time for activities a lot more time to ride horses a lot of fun and we did have a lot of fun a more heated pool a paintball class a paintball class and more rest period a party at my cabin a planetarium a retile house a rodeo a rodeo a rope swing and a bigger lake a second chance on the go‐carts after crashing, and I wish we would’ve had a second chance to go to the pond. a shorter hike a slide for the pool a slightly better facility a water slide a week more of camp a whole lot longer to stay here able to have more time with God air conditioning air conditioning in the cabins air fresheners all got to do every activity and go camping alone more activities with other cabins an air conditioner and ceiling fan! backed packed with the horses Hancock Center for Youth and Family Ministry • www.hancockcenter.org
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baking or cooking class baseball, dodgeball bathroom in the cabins bathrooms closer to our wagons be able to live here been a little more uplifting to each other been able to choose our cabin mates instead of showing up and Qinding the people in our cabin because a lot of problems go on. been able to do all the activities been able to do more fun things here. been able to do reQlections on the boat been able to have a looser dress code and more/better food been able to have cooler weather and less storms been able to have longer outposts been able to have some free time been able to live at camp been able to meet even more people and have more sermons instead of just skits (even though they were amazing and powerful) been able to play new “getting to know new people” games been able to ride more or go out on the party boat been able to ride the go‐carts been able to run with the horses been able to see a rattle snake been able to sit by anyone during dinner like last year been able to sit with our other friends at meals instead of having to sit with our cabin all the time been able to sleep in been able to spend more time around other besides those in our cabin been here longer been together more better activities better baseball better beds better BMX brought extra clothes to wear because I ran out, because I only packed for 7 days. cake decorating class called our parents came to camp before! camp all year long candy all day Hancock Center for Youth and Family Ministry • www.hancockcenter.org
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candy in the store to buy computers cooking as a class decorated the cabin more desert for meals, more sweets in the store, and more swim time as well as wake‐ boarding time dessert after dinner a lot of dessert did capture the Qlag more did the leap of faith because I’ve never done it did the obstacle course did the wasp more often! did the zip line did things twice such as the pond and BMX done more mud games done more nature stuff more of the challenge course done more on Sabbath done nothing different done nothing more eaten in the cafeteria more often and sung the theme song more often. eaten less sandwiches getting up on the wakeboard faster instead on the last day go‐carts and BMX biking as one of things we have to do going horse riding gone canoeing than archery gone Qishing gone in the water more in the afternoon gone more on go‐carts gone to the store way more! I only spend like 5 dollars and skipped camp Qire to go at night gotten different classes everyday with our cabin because some classes kept repeating and sometimes we didn’t even want to do that task. We wanted to experience new things. gotten EVEN more wake‐boarding time in, especially in the morning when it’s smooth! gotten mail more gotten more rest gotten o do the zipline gotten on stage and sang as a cabin gotten to do more fun activities together Hancock Center for Youth and Family Ministry • www.hancockcenter.org
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gotten to do pranks and have less rules gotten to do the wasp and zip line gotten to ride in our riding level. I can walk on a horse at home, I wanted to learn new things and get to run on horses and I was disappointed. I’ve been coming for 7 years now and this was the worst year so far. go had a BMX camp had a time period where we could have chosen individually (not as a cabin) to have a bible study had more dramas and song dramas that would have been even more touching to me than the others had more swimming time had more teen hangout events at night had more time had out extra period I wish we would have a different period I wish we would have a little more time at church inner tubing classes internet and music! Less line call longer rest period and more activities longer weeks longer weeks at camp so we can have more summer fun more freedom more fun more horseback riding, more class time and more ways to participate during campQire more people turn towards Christ MORE SLEEP! more stuff in the lake more time to bond with other cabins more time to do activities more time to do cabin activities More time to have more fun! more time to play and learn more about God more time to rehearse in drama nothing but fun nothing else this camp rocks! nothing everything is perfect played a few more camp games played all the water games on the big game day Hancock Center for Youth and Family Ministry • www.hancockcenter.org
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played card games in the café or something played in the mud pit rode a bit more some other better classes spent more time in the water spent more time on horses spent more time together spent more time together stayed at the nature center longer time do to whatever activity we wanted to. I’m sad we didn’t get more pond or challenge course time time to be with the campers and be able to get to know each other a little bit better (* This summary is a representative selection of the categories analyzed by way of content analysis. Duplications and similar statements have been eliminated from the list for economy.)
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