Date of Award
5-2017
Degree Type
Research Paper
Degree Name
Master of Arts in Community Development and Planning (CDP)
Department
International Development, Community and Environment
Chief Instructor
Laurie Ross
Second Reader
Dr. Robert Zarges
Keywords
Summer, Camp, Counselor, Retention, Boys & Girls Clubs
Abstract
Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Denver’s Gates Camp is a residential summer camp in Ward, Colorado. There has been an observed and verified trend of a lack of returning staff, despite staff members’ expressed positive experiences as a camp counselor. Returning staff improve the quality of programming for youth, by building upon their skills gained the previous summer and sharing their knowledge of the camp environment, culture and traditions with new staff. Through the use of a survey, completed by counselors who worked at Gates Camp between the summers of 2011 and 2016, trends as to why individuals choose to not return to camp emerged. Recommendations were made in accordance with such themes, and included: the addition of leadership activities for returning staff members, increasing the number of new hires in the 19 to 20 year old age bracket, and continuing to implement and expand upon staff culture building activities so as to capitalize on the positive, strong community that exists.
Recommended Citation
McPhee, Molly J., "Residential Summer Camp Counselor Retention Rates Implications and Recommendations for Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro-Denver’s Gates Camp" (2017). International Development, Community and Environment (IDCE). 166.
https://commons.clarku.edu/idce_masters_papers/166
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