Resident camp directors, spirituality, and wilderness

Abstract

A vast majority of resident camp directors in this study perceived wilderness to hold spiritual qualities. In addition, resident camp directors also valued educational components for campers and staff as important before they ventured into wilderness areas. Resident camp directors influence the lives of millions of youth and they are an important provider of wilderness experience programs. Resident camp directors' attitudes and preferences toward wilderness can be helpful in the development of the perception of wilderness by the youth staying at their camps. Consequently, camp directors should not be overlooked as a constituent group for both developing future attitudes towards wilderness and support for wilderness management strategies.

Parent Publication

• Proceedings of the 2001 Northeastern Recreation Research Symposium

Citation

Rule, Michael; Udd, Edward. 2002. Resident camp directors, spirituality, and wilderness. In: Todd, Sharon, comp., ed. 2002. Proceedings of the 2001 Northeastern Recreation Research Symposium. Gen. Tech. Rep. NE-289. Newtown Square, PA: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Northeastern Research Station. 418-420.