Camp Assessment
Introduction
The overarching theme of today’s summer camps is the emphasis on overall health.
Camp Pocono Trails and Kamp K’anna are two such camps. The following discussion is a
comparison of each camp’s physical activities, nutrition, and behavioral well-being.
Physical Activities
Camp Pocono Trails programs range from two to seven weeks. Physical activity appears
to be the top priority. Not only does Camp Pocono Trails offer more than 100 physical options,
but the camp also has five activity sessions per day. The activities include options such as sports
(water and field), aerobics, and strength training. Camp Pocono Trails does not administer a
fitness test nor a body composition assessment. The only measure of weight loss progress is
attained by weekly weigh ins. Furthermore, there is no mention of children with comorbidities.
Conversely, Kamp K’anna’s two week program provided a combination of one hour
physical activity/nutrition sessions. The sessions consisted of aerobic exercise; rate of perceived
exertion; water and hydration; dairy, calcium requirement, and sources; fruits and vegetables;
grains; meat group; build a meal; dining out; get a grip on portion size; food labels; and sugar in
drinks.1 Kamp K’anna administered a fitness test to measure cardiorespiratory function and an
assessment to evaluate the children’s muscle endurance, flexibility, and strength; both conducted
at the beginning and end of the program. The program also included children with comorbidities.
Nutrition
Camp Pocono Trails’ nutrition program teaches campers how to make healthy food
choices in appropriate portions. The camp provides a variety of foods consistent with national
guidelines, with consideration of food allergies and religious beliefs. For campers needing to
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Camp Assessment
lose weight, 1600-1700 calorie meals are prepared based on gender and age. There are also
cooking classes that teach campers to continue healthy eating habits at home.
Kamp K’anna’s nutrition program presented information on topics like the different food
groups, nutrient intake, and applying nutrition knowledge while eating out. Kamp K’anna’s 1800
calorie meals were prepared following the Traffic Light Diet while adhering to nationally
recommended guidelines. Towards the end, the children’s nutrition knowledge was tested by
providing meals in a self-serve setting.
Behavioral Well-being
At Camp Pocono Trails, campers have the option to participate in Cognitive Behavior
Therapy (CBT). CBT teaches how to recognize harmful thoughts and change them to healthy
thinking. They also learn self-regulation techniques such as a Behavior Planning Journal (BPJ).
A primary function of BPJ is setting and completing goals.
At Kamp K’anna, building self-esteem is a top priority during the two week program.
The children completed a self-assessment at the start and finish of the program. The Self-
Perception Profile for Children is a 36-item self-report scale designed to tap children's judgments
of their competence, as well as a global perception of their worth or self-esteem.1
Conclusion
Both camps have strengths and weaknesses. For example, Camp Pocono Trails has a
large number of physical activities which might make it more enticing to attend. But where
Kamp K’anna lacks in physical activities, it more than makes up with measurable tools to assess
overall health; physical and mental. Whereas Camp Poconos Trails only measures weight.
Although the environment at Camp Pocono is relaxed and fun, I believe Kamp K’anna is the
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