Recognizing MESH as a Component of a Camp’s Health Profile

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18666/JOREL-2021-V13-I2-10553

Keywords:

healthy camps, mental, emotional and social health, camp health profiles

Abstract

The American Camp Association and Association of Camp Nursing collaborated for the creation of the Healthy Camps initiatives from 2006-2020. During that time, the initiative developed a holistic approach to a healthy camp framework by examining and addressing a range of challenges experienced by camp programs in the United States. Camper and staff mental, emotional, and social health (MESH) became an important focus, as camp professionals grew increasingly concerned with the behaviors and challenges exhibited by campers and staff during their programs. The purpose of this article is to share the extensive work and resources developed by the Healthy Camps initiatives to help camp professionals address the mental, emotional and social health needs of their campers and staff.

Dr. Owens talks about this article: https://youtu.be/SBT8nNGVdHk

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Author Biographies

Megan H. Owens, Western Illinois University

Assistant Professor

Department of Recreation, Park and Tourism Administration

Linda E. Erceg, Association of Camp Nursing

RN, MS, PHN

Associate Director Emeritus, Concordia Language Villages

Association of Camp Nursing, Life Member

Alli Faricy, Camp Foley

Director

References

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Published

2021-05-12

Issue

Section

Special Issue: Critical Exploration of Evidence-Based Practice in Organized Camping