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Summer Camp Counselor Experiences: The Influence of Training, Self-Efficacy, and Organizational Cohesion

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Title: Summer Camp Counselor Experiences: The Influence of Training, Self-Efficacy, and Organizational Cohesion
Language: English
Authors: Angelo Roche, Elizabeth Nutt Williams
Source: Journal of Outdoor Recreation, Education, and Leadership. 2026 18(1).
Availability: Sagamore-Venture. 1807 North Federal Drive, Urbana, IL 61801. Tel: 800-327-5557; Tel: 217-359-5940; Fax: 217-359-5975. Web site: https://www.sagamorepub.com/
Peer Reviewed: Y
Publication Date: 2026
Document Type: Journal Articles
Reports - Research
Descriptors: Resident Camp Programs, Recreational Activities, Training, Foreign Countries, Adolescents, Novices, Self Efficacy, Organizational Climate
Geographic Terms: Canada, United States
DOI: 10.18666/JOREL-2025-12570
ISSN: 2381-0696
1948-5123
Abstract: Many overnight camps use Counselor-in-Training (CIT) programs to prepare adolescent campers for the counselor role. Although research has investigated the effectiveness of individual CIT programs, studies have not compared the experiences of previous CIT participants (CITs) to the experiences of new, non-CIT counselors across camp types. We recruited 314 camp counselors (130 previous CITS and 185 non-CITs) from camps across the United States and Canada for an online survey with items assessing their self-efficacy, organizational cohesion, and experiences as first-year counselors. Although we did not find a significant effect of the completion of a CIT program on any of the primary variables, individual and camp factors such as job fit, satisfaction with training, and comfort talking to administrators were significantly associated with self-efficacy and organizational cohesion. More between-camps and longitudinal research is needed to more deeply understand the impacts of training, overall climate, and the efficacy of CIT programs.
Abstractor: As Provided
Entry Date: 2026
Accession Number: EJ1508110
Database: ERIC
FullText Text:
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  Data: Summer Camp Counselor Experiences: The Influence of Training, Self-Efficacy, and Organizational Cohesion
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Angelo+Roche%22">Angelo Roche</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Elizabeth+Nutt+Williams%22">Elizabeth Nutt Williams</searchLink>
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="SO" term="%22Journal+of+Outdoor+Recreation%2C+Education%2C+and+Leadership%22"><i>Journal of Outdoor Recreation, Education, and Leadership</i></searchLink>. 2026 18(1).
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  Data: Sagamore-Venture. 1807 North Federal Drive, Urbana, IL 61801. Tel: 800-327-5557; Tel: 217-359-5940; Fax: 217-359-5975. Web site: https://www.sagamorepub.com/
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  Data: Journal Articles<br />Reports - Research
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Resident+Camp+Programs%22">Resident Camp Programs</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Recreational+Activities%22">Recreational Activities</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Training%22">Training</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Foreign+Countries%22">Foreign Countries</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Adolescents%22">Adolescents</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Novices%22">Novices</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Self+Efficacy%22">Self Efficacy</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Organizational+Climate%22">Organizational Climate</searchLink>
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Canada%22">Canada</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22United+States%22">United States</searchLink>
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  Data: 10.18666/JOREL-2025-12570
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  Data: 2381-0696<br />1948-5123
– Name: Abstract
  Label: Abstract
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  Data: Many overnight camps use Counselor-in-Training (CIT) programs to prepare adolescent campers for the counselor role. Although research has investigated the effectiveness of individual CIT programs, studies have not compared the experiences of previous CIT participants (CITs) to the experiences of new, non-CIT counselors across camp types. We recruited 314 camp counselors (130 previous CITS and 185 non-CITs) from camps across the United States and Canada for an online survey with items assessing their self-efficacy, organizational cohesion, and experiences as first-year counselors. Although we did not find a significant effect of the completion of a CIT program on any of the primary variables, individual and camp factors such as job fit, satisfaction with training, and comfort talking to administrators were significantly associated with self-efficacy and organizational cohesion. More between-camps and longitudinal research is needed to more deeply understand the impacts of training, overall climate, and the efficacy of CIT programs.
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  Data: As Provided
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  Label: Entry Date
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  Data: 2026
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  Data: EJ1508110
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      – SubjectFull: Resident Camp Programs
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Recreational Activities
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Training
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Foreign Countries
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Adolescents
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Novices
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      – SubjectFull: Self Efficacy
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      – SubjectFull: Organizational Climate
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      – SubjectFull: Canada
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      – SubjectFull: United States
        Type: general
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      – TitleFull: Summer Camp Counselor Experiences: The Influence of Training, Self-Efficacy, and Organizational Cohesion
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