Recreational camps for children and youth with chronic illnesses and disabilities offer tailored physical and social activities. While research highlights proximal psychological and social benefits, less is known about the mechanisms behind these effects and their potential for distal effect for well-being. This study investigates the mechanisms through which recreation camps benefit children and youth with chronic illnesses and disabilities. It also examines possible distal impacts of camp participation from the perspectives of youth interviewed several months after their stay. A qualitative study was conducted with 30 participants aged 10–20 who attended a three- to five-day residential camp during the previous 6 to 10 months. Data were collected via semi-structured interviews and analyzed using thematic analysis. Two main themes emerged. The first reflected personal and social empowerment, with participants describing various effects that extended beyond camp. The second identified four key factors supporting this empowerment: sustained joy, supportive and accessible environments, a sense of peer belonging, and meaningful counselor relationships. By fostering ongoing joy and social connection, the camp enabled participants to stay present while alleviating daily concerns, supported both physically and emotionally. These insights offer a deeper understanding of how camps contribute to youth well-being beyond short-term outcomes. The findings provide practical guidance for developing camps and similar interventions supporting children and youth with chronic illnesses and disabilities, relevant to both camp settings and broader youth services.
Gross-Manos et al. (Thu,) studied this question.