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Evaluation of a Camp Program for Siblings of Children With Cancer

Evaluation of a Camp Program for Siblings of Children With Cancer Abstract • In recent years, specialized camping programs for chronically ill children, members of their family, or both have proliferated. Although these programs are popular, little systematic evaluation of risk-benefit has been undertaken. In a naturalistic study we evaluated the effect of a 5-day residential camping program to determine the effect of the program on the level of medical knowledge, on the perceptions of how the cancer experience affected the individual, and on the participant's mood state. Analyses of questionnaire data from 90 campers before and after their participation in the program revealed that desirable changes occurred in each of these areas and were sustained for at least 3 months after the program. Siblings reported by parents to have behavioral problems with onset since the diagnosis of the cancer seemed to benefit particularly from this type of program. No substantial negative effects were found regardless of the camper age, adaptational status, or previous camp experience. (AJDC. 1989;143:690-696) References 1. Shields JM, Abrams P, Siegel S. An alternate health care setting with cancer: a residential summer camp . Child Health Care . 1985;13:135-138.Crossref 2. Robinson W. Summer camp for diabetics . Nurs Mirror . 1977;145:50-52. 3. Friedman CB. Kids with cancer go to camp . Cancer News . 1982;36:6-9. 4. Dasson ME. A chance to be normal again . Cancer Nurs . (December) 1982:453-459. 5. Nowicki S, Barnes J. Effects of a structured camp experience on locus of control in children . J Genet Psychol . 1971;48:21-30. 6. Smith KE, Gottlieb S, Gurwich DH, Blotcky AD. The impact of a summer camp experience on daily activity and family interaction among children with cancer . J Pediatr Psychol . 1987;12:533-542.Crossref 7. Duquin LH. Camp B&ST: help for the other victims of cancer . Seventeen . (May 17) , 1986:118. 8. Sahler OJ, Carpenter PJ. Developmental differences among siblings' perceptions of the pediatric cancer experience . J Dev Behav Pediatr . 1987;8:121. 9. Carpenter PJ, Sahler OJ. Sibling perception and adaptation to childhood cancer: conceptual and methodological considerations. J Pediatr Psychol. In press. 10. Sourkes B. Siblings of pediatric cancer patients . In: Kellerman J, ed. Psychological Aspects of Childhood Cancer . Springfield, Ill: Charles C Thomas Publisher; 1980:47-69. 11. Spinetta JJ. The siblings of the child with cancer . In: Spinetta JJ, Deasy-Spinetta P, eds. Living With Childhood Cancer . St Louis, Mo: CV Mosby Co; 1980:133-152. 12. Carpenter PJ. Parent involvement in preparing pediatric cancer patients for invasive medical procedures: a cognitive-behavioral approach . Proc Am Soc Clin Oncol . 1987;6:256. 13. Schwartz L, Eagle CJ. Psychological Portraits of Children . Lexington, Mass: Lexington Books, 1986. 14. Tebbi CK, Klemperer MR. Summer camp for children with cancer: is it necessary? Candlelighters Foundation Newsletter . 1981;5:3. http://www.deepdyve.com/assets/images/DeepDyve-Logo-lg.png American Journal of Diseases of Children American Medical Association

Evaluation of a Camp Program for Siblings of Children With Cancer

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References (14)

Publisher
American Medical Association
Copyright
Copyright © 1989 American Medical Association. All Rights Reserved.
ISSN
0002-922X
DOI
10.1001/archpedi.1989.02150180068023
Publisher site
See Article on Publisher Site

Abstract

Abstract • In recent years, specialized camping programs for chronically ill children, members of their family, or both have proliferated. Although these programs are popular, little systematic evaluation of risk-benefit has been undertaken. In a naturalistic study we evaluated the effect of a 5-day residential camping program to determine the effect of the program on the level of medical knowledge, on the perceptions of how the cancer experience affected the individual, and on the participant's mood state. Analyses of questionnaire data from 90 campers before and after their participation in the program revealed that desirable changes occurred in each of these areas and were sustained for at least 3 months after the program. Siblings reported by parents to have behavioral problems with onset since the diagnosis of the cancer seemed to benefit particularly from this type of program. No substantial negative effects were found regardless of the camper age, adaptational status, or previous camp experience. (AJDC. 1989;143:690-696) References 1. Shields JM, Abrams P, Siegel S. An alternate health care setting with cancer: a residential summer camp . Child Health Care . 1985;13:135-138.Crossref 2. Robinson W. Summer camp for diabetics . Nurs Mirror . 1977;145:50-52. 3. Friedman CB. Kids with cancer go to camp . Cancer News . 1982;36:6-9. 4. Dasson ME. A chance to be normal again . Cancer Nurs . (December) 1982:453-459. 5. Nowicki S, Barnes J. Effects of a structured camp experience on locus of control in children . J Genet Psychol . 1971;48:21-30. 6. Smith KE, Gottlieb S, Gurwich DH, Blotcky AD. The impact of a summer camp experience on daily activity and family interaction among children with cancer . J Pediatr Psychol . 1987;12:533-542.Crossref 7. Duquin LH. Camp B&ST: help for the other victims of cancer . Seventeen . (May 17) , 1986:118. 8. Sahler OJ, Carpenter PJ. Developmental differences among siblings' perceptions of the pediatric cancer experience . J Dev Behav Pediatr . 1987;8:121. 9. Carpenter PJ, Sahler OJ. Sibling perception and adaptation to childhood cancer: conceptual and methodological considerations. J Pediatr Psychol. In press. 10. Sourkes B. Siblings of pediatric cancer patients . In: Kellerman J, ed. Psychological Aspects of Childhood Cancer . Springfield, Ill: Charles C Thomas Publisher; 1980:47-69. 11. Spinetta JJ. The siblings of the child with cancer . In: Spinetta JJ, Deasy-Spinetta P, eds. Living With Childhood Cancer . St Louis, Mo: CV Mosby Co; 1980:133-152. 12. Carpenter PJ. Parent involvement in preparing pediatric cancer patients for invasive medical procedures: a cognitive-behavioral approach . Proc Am Soc Clin Oncol . 1987;6:256. 13. Schwartz L, Eagle CJ. Psychological Portraits of Children . Lexington, Mass: Lexington Books, 1986. 14. Tebbi CK, Klemperer MR. Summer camp for children with cancer: is it necessary? Candlelighters Foundation Newsletter . 1981;5:3.

Journal

American Journal of Diseases of Children – American Medical Association

Published: Jun 1, 1989

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