NCJ Number
77631
Date Published
1980
Length
39 pages
Annotation
This report presents a profile of campers at Camp E-Mun-Talee in Lowgap, N.C., part of the State Department of Human Resources' therapeutic camping system.
Abstract
The data will be used in designing an evaluation of the Eckerd Therapeutic Camping System. Information on the first 41 campers - males, ages 9-15 - comes from case and family histories and educational and psychological testing. The profile presents background information on the camper and his family, referral history, prior treatment, problems identified (emotional, behavioral, school related and family related), court history, and results of intelligence and psychological tests. A total of 58.5 percent of the campers are white, 39 percent are black, and 2.5 constitute other; only 14.6 percent have natural parents who are still married to one another. Approximately 61 percent of the campers had a prior court history. About one-third of them were living outside their parents' home prior to referral; a total of 51.2 percent were either on probation, on conditional release from training schools, or in the custody of the Department of Social Services. Most of the campers had had prior treatment from numerous agencies. The prevalence of absent fathers, withdrawn mothers, and children who are loners or truants indicates the absence of adequate coping skills. Administered tests included the Bender-Gestalt, Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children-Revised, the Piers-Harris Self-Concept Scale, California Test of Personality, the California Achievement Test, and the Devereux Adolescent Behavior Rating Scale. Test results indicate that the typical camper has below average IQ, low aptitude in certain areas of learning, identifiable behavior problems, and poor self-concept, personality adjustment, and academic achievement. As a whole, the profile indicates that the camp does admit children who need the intense treatment setting. Tabular data are provided.