Family Camp - Research Family Camp was created by the 4-H Extension Service in New Jersey, and has been shown to produce an increase in healthy communication styles... 70% of parents surveyed before camp felt that they encouraged individual thoughts and feelings, but after camp, the number rose to 88.9%. Similarly, 40% of adults felt they had established patterns of making up after a fight, and after camp that number increased to 75%, while among youth, the number increased from 78.6% before camp to 100% after camp. 78.6% of youth felt that family members interrupt each other when surveyed before camp. After camp that number decreased to 44.4%. Before camp, 92.2% of youth could tell when a family member has had either a bad or a good day. That number rose to 100% after camp. For a full description of the thinking that went into Family Camp, see article in OutdoorEd.com Preliminary findings on the program's effectiveness in families undergoing reunification: Increased opportunities for family bonding. Techniques learned for improving family cohesion, particularly around meal times. A ripple effect within the transitional housing setting from the families who learned and practiced these family cohesion techniques. Increased parental recognition of children’s power and independence. Increased parental role modeling of positive behaviors. Increased parental awareness of the negative impact of TV on family time. Research on current Fellowship Farm Parent Involvement programs is ongoing. Each program is studied with respect to the goals of the school or agency for its parent population.

Last Update: Aug 01, 2005