The Perceived Impact of Outdoor Residential Camp Experience on the Spirituality of Youth

Abstract The purpose of this study was to investigate the perceived impact of outdoor residential camp experience on the spirituality of youth. This research focused on 11 participants in month long leadership programs at two YMCA residential camps in Ontario, Canada. After conducting an in-depth interview at the beginning and end of each of the participant's leadership experience, it was found that the participants did feel camp had an affect on their spirituality. The camp setting played a role by providing a natural setting and an opportunity for the participants to get away from their everyday lives in an urban environment. In this environment, experiencing structured and unstructured time alone influenced their spirituality, by providing them with opportunities to reflect on their lives. Social experiences also had an impact on the participants' spirituality by allowing them to develop relationships through formal and informal activities. Finally, the majority of the participants expressed that the camp experience provided them with positive feelings that they associated with their spirituality. This study found that the four themes of the camp setting, alone time, social experiences, and positive feelings played an interrelated role in the participant's camp experience and spirituality. Keywords: SpiritualityYouthResidential Outdoor Camps