Adventure Camp Programs, Self-Concept, and Their Effects on Behavioral Problem Adolescents

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of an adventure camp program on the self-concept of adolescents with behavioral problems. Subjects in the study included 61 randomly selected male and female adolescents ranging in age from 9 to 17 years with behavioral problems. The treatment group of 31 adolescents was randomly selected from a population (N = 85) of behavioral problem adolescents who voluntarily attended an adventure camp. The control group of 30 adolescents was randomly selected from a population (N = 80) that underwent treatment for behavioral problems. Analysis of variance was utilized to determine if significant differences existed between the treatment and control groups. The paired t test was utilized to determine within group differences between pretest and posttest scores on both groups. Alpha for both tests was set at the .05 level. Analysis demonstrated a significant difference between the experimental and control 9- to 11-year-old age group's self-concept.