Camp Susan Curtis Online:Camper & Counselor Focus Groups

September 2013

Jeanette AndonianDennis GilbertJarrid JonesLenny Shedletsky

Funded by:Maine Economic Improvement FundUSM Research C luster Grant

Three camper focus groups (N=28) were held at Camp Susan Curtis 0n August 12, 2013.

Participants were randomly selected from a pool of 59 camper volunteers.

Age homogeneity and gender balance in each group were the only criteria for group composition.

Group 1: Age 8-9 (N=9)Group 2: Age 10-12 (N=11)Group 3: Age 13-15 (N=8)

CAMPER GROUPS: COMPOSITION

Age: 8=1; 9=5; 9.5=1; 10=2

Gender: Female=5; Male=4

School grade in fall: 3=1; 4=5; 5=1 No answer=1

County: Oxford=6; York=1; Cumberland=2

Number of times at CSC: 1 time=6; 2 times=1; No answer=2

CAMPER GROUP 1: DEMOGRAPHIC INFORMATION

N=9

Computer Access: At home=6; At school=9; Other=5 (grandmother’s house, library)

Frequency of Computer Use: More than once a day=1; Once a day=2; Once every couple of days=2; Once a week=4; Very infrequently (<once/week)=0; Never=0

Top Three Reasons for Using Internet: Facebook=5; Games=6; School/research=3; Science=2; You Tube=2; Social Networking=1; Finding information=1; Math=1; Messaging=1; Camp=1; Cartoon Network=1

Comfort using the internet: Extremely=3; Mostly=3 Somewhat=3; A little=0; Not at all=0

Parent allowance: More than once/day=3; Once/day=2; Once every couple of days=2; Once/week=0; Less than once/week=1; Never=1

CAMPER GROUP 1:COMPUTER USE

Age: 10=3; 11=3; 12=3; 13=1; No answer=1

Gender: Female=5; Male=6

School grade in fall: 5 th=1; 6 th=6; 7 th=2; 8 th=1 No answer=1

County: Oxford=4; York=2; Androscoggin=1; Penobscot=1; Franklin=1; New Hampshire=1; No answer=1

Number of times at CSC: 1 time=2; 2 times=2; 3 times=3; 4 times=1; 6 times=1; No answer=2

CAMPER GROUP 2: DEMOGRAPHIC INFORMATION

N=11

Computer access: Home=9; School=11; Other=10 (Dad’s, grandmother’s

Frequency of Computer use: More than once/day=2; Once/day=2; Every couple of days=6; Once/week=0; Very infrequently=1; Never=0

Tope three reasons for using the internet: Facebook=2; Gaming=5; School/research=4; E-mail=2; You tube=6; Social networking=3; Finding information=3; Movies=1; Google=1; No answer=1

Comfort using the internet: Extremely=8; Mostly=1; Somewhat=2; A little=0; Not at all=0

Parent allowance: More than once/day=4; Once/day=3; Once every couple of days=3; Once/week=1; Very infrequently=0; Never=0

CAMPER GROUP 2: COMPUTER USE

Age: 12=1; 13=3; 14=2; 14.5=1; 15=1

Gender: Male=1; Female=7

Grade in Fall: 8 th grade=4; 9 th grade=4

County of Residence: Oxford=1; York=2; Cumberland=2; Penobscot=1; Franklin=1; Somerset=1

Number of times at CSC: 1 time=4; 2 times=1; 3 times=1; 4 times=1; 5 times=1

CAMPER FOCUS GROUP 3: DEMOGRAPHIC INFORMATION

N=8

Computer Access: Home=7; School=8; Other=6 (Friends’, library. Dad’s)

Frequency of computer use: More than once/day=5; Once/day=2; Once every couple of days=1; Once/week=0; Very infrequently=0; Never=0

Top three reasons for using the internet: Facebook=2; Buying stuff=1; School/research=9; E-mail teacher=1; You Tube=3; Social Networking=3; Finding information=2; Instagram=1; Pictures=1

Comfort using the internet: Extremely=7; Mostly=0; somewhat=1; A little=0; Not at all=0

Parent allowance: More than once/day=5; Once/day=1; Once every couple of days=1; Once/week=1; Very infrequently=0; Never=0

CAMPER FOCUS GROUP 3: COMPUTER USE

What makes CSC special to you?What do you like most about CSC? Least? If CSC was a virtual world online, what would you

hope to find there?What would keep you returning to CSCO? Is there anything you can think of that would get in

the way of using CSCO?Once you leave CSC and go home, and you think

about your time at camp,

CAMPER FOCUS GROUP QUESTIONS

Broad themes: Meaningful Relationships, Activities, Doing, Learning, Getaway, New Experiences

Specifics:Family AtmosphereSupportive relationshipsSense of placeSense of homeNot like other campsEmotional closenessFun activitiesBeing active

1. WHAT MAKES CSC SPECIAL TO YOU?

Learning new thingsConfidence buildingNon-judgmentalAcceptanceBeing oneselfGet away from usual lifeNew experiencesMaking friendsComing back each yearNature

CAMPER QUESTION 1 SPECIFICS (CONTINUED)

MostBroad Themes: Support, New activities, Food, Connections to people, Continuity, Structure and choice

Specifics:Wide range of activitiesLearning new skil lsUpbeat, kind peopleLike familyFood Choice of activitiesCounselorsJudgment freeSupportive, friendly environmentMeeting new people

2. WHAT DO YOU LIKE MOST ABOUT CSC? LEAST?

LeastBroad themes: Homesick, Some specific activities, Application of rules, Waking early, Cold

Specifics:Swimming lessonsNoisy rest hourUncomfortable bedsNo contact with parentsRules—e.g., dress code, drawing on self, no make up, etc.Getting up early 

CAMPER QUESTION 2 (CONTINUED)

Broad themes and specifics presented by age grouping 

8-9 year oldsBroad Themes:Camp Activit ies & Games, Counselors, Photos from camp 

Specifics:Talk with counselorsLearning things (incl. games)Campfire with singing Canoeing SwimmingAge-specific gamesCampingPictures of counselorsFind Yeti

3. IF CSC WAS A VIRTUAL WORLD ONLINE, WHAT WOULD YOU HOPE TO FIND THERE?

10-12 year oldsBroad Themes:Virtual CSC, Interaction with CSC people

Specifics:AvatarsPhotos of CSCMystery activity after dinnerSocial network for CSCEverything like campMap of camp all year roundSongs & ActivitiesGodzeera and other creatures (snakes, frogs, fish)Choice

QUESTION 3 (CONTINUED)

13-15 year oldsBroad Themes:Pictures & Sounds of Camp, Games/Activit ies, Contact with campers, Virtual CSC

Specifics:Summit questionsCSC games & activit ies (eg., scavenger hunt, etc.)Camper photosContact with friends/search for friendsCampfire & singingSounds (animal sounds, water, wind, thunderstorms, etc.) and sights of campAvatarsChatTrout Lake

QUESTION 3 (CONTINUED)

Broad themes: Seeing Campers & Counselors, News, Information & Updates, Videos from camp, Interactive games, Communicating with fr iends Specifics:Face t ime/skypeStaying in touch with counselors & fr iendsVirtual campfireNews about the camp, campers & counselorsPhotosCSC Activit ies & events (eg, fishing, observe special days, Olympics, amazing race, etc.)Interactive synchronous gamesRecorded campfire storiesNew legendsAwards (eg. , dustpan)PasswordColorful

4. WHAT WOULD KEEP YOU RETURNING TO CSCO?

Broad Themes: Technical hurdles, No fun, Lack of access, Outside demands Specifics:School scheduleBeing too busy (eg, with sports and other extracurriculars)Family obligationsNot having parent permissionNo powerInaccessibi l ity at home or school (eg, no computer at home or competit ion for use)HackersProblems logging onNot funIncompatibi l ity with other devices ( Iphones?) 

5. IS THERE ANYTHING YOU CAN THINK OF THAT WOULD GET IN THE WAY OF USING CSCO?

Broad themes: Act iv i t ies , Ri tuals, Fr iends, Counselors , P lace  Specifics:Fr iendsCounselorsLearning new things (eg. , sett ing up a tent)Images of the physical camp (the lake, the bui ldings, paths, hi l ls , etc . )FoodCamp act iv it ies (swimming, canoeing, kayaking, Yet i hunt ing, evening games)The funThe animals ( Inc l . the dogs)Stuff we made (eg. , Ood Lecht , f r iendship bracelets , etc)Campfire & r i tuals (gui tar p laying, s inging)Playing gamesPeople in our cabinsRais ing the flagTeens wi l l remember the bad things, too (because that ’s what teens do)!  

6. ONCE YOU LEAVE CSC AND GO HOME, AND YOU THINK ABOUT YOUR TIME AT CAMP, WHAT WILL YOU

REMEMBER?

Two counselor focus groups (N=19) conducted on August 13, 2013 at CSC.

Counselors volunteered to participate—all 19 were included.

Gender balance was the only criteria for group composition.

Group 1: N=8Group 2: N=11

COUNSELOR FOCUS GROUPS

Age range: 17-19

Gender: Male=8; Female=4

County: Oxford=4; Cumberland=4

Attended CSC as Camper? Yes=3; No=5

How many times a CSC counselor? 1 time=4; 2 times=2; 3 times=1; 8 times=1

COUNSELOR FOCUS GROUP 1:DEMOGRAPHIC INFORMTAION

N=8

Computer access: Home=7; School=6; Other=6Frequency of computer use: More than once/day=5;

Once/day=2; Every couple of days=1; Once/week=0; Very infrequently=0; Never=0

Tops (three) reasons for using the internet: School work=4; Research=2; You tube=3; Social networking=4; Finding information=1; Music=2; Movies=1; Email=1; Work=3; Pinterest=1; Catching up with friends & family=1

Comfort with the internet: Extremely=2; Mostly=4; Somewhat=2; A little=0; Not at all=0

Parental allowance: More than once/day=3; Once/day=0; Once every couple of days=1; Once/week=0; Very infrequently=0; Never=0; Not applicable=4

COUNSELOR FOCUS GROUP 1:COMPUTER USE

Age range: 17-24

Gender: Male=6; Female=5

County: Oxford=3; Lincoln=1; Kennebec=1; Cumberland=4; York=1; Not from Maine=1

Attended CSC as camper? Yes=3; No=8

How many times a CSC Counselor? 1 times=7; 2 times=3; 10 times=1

COUNSELOR FOCUS GROUP 2:DEMOGRAPHIC INFORMATION

N=11

Computer Access: Home=10; School=11; Other=9Frequency of computer use: More than once/day=8;

Once/day=3; Once every couple of days=0; Once/week=0; Very infrequently=0; Never=0

Top three reasons for using the internet: Facebook=4; Games=2; Research=2; School work=6; You tube=4; Social networking=7; Finding information=1; Work=1; Netflix=1; E-mail=4; Music=1; News=1; TV=1

Comfort using the internet: Extremely=7; Mostly=3; Somewhat=0; A little=1; Not at all=0

Parent allowance=More than once/day=3; Once/day=2; Once every couple of days=0; Once/week=0; Very infrequently=0; Never=0; Not applicable=6

COUNSELOR FOCUS GROUP 2: COMPUTER USE

What do you think makes CSC special?What makes CSC meaningful to campers?Do you believe that campers want to stay connected

with each other and their counselors after camp is over? Please explain why or why not.

If CSC was a virtual world online, what would you hope to find there?

What do you think would keep campers coming back to CSCO?

What concerns would you have about an online CSC environment?

If you could offer one piece of advice to people creating CSCO, what would it be?

COUNSELOR FOCUS GROUP QUESTIONS

Broad Themes: Support, Non-judgmental , Meaningful bonds, Character & confidence bui lding, Sense of home Specifics: Unique experience for Maine kids facing chal lengesUnique mission & counselorsDeveloping close relat ionships & lasting bonds (hi 5 to handshake to hugs)Not money driven—kid drivenBeing oneselfAcceptanceFamily atmosphere—sense of security, routines, etc.Learning & activit iesBeyond campStrong sense of placeBuilding leadersKids gratefulFacing & mastering important l i fe ski l ls TeamworkContinuity of connection through LIT/CIT programs

1. WHAT DO YOU THINK MAKES CSC SPECIAL?

Broad themes: Personal attention, Nurturing environment, Sense of home, People who care, Invested counselors

Specifics:Personal attentionBonds with counselorsCounselors former campersMaking friendsFamily, home-l ike atmosphereAble to make mistakesGetting all needs met (social, emotional, material, etc.)Support & nurturancePosit ive role modelsBuilds leadersCaring, invested peopleSafety blanket

2. WHAT MAKES CSC MEANINGFUL TO CAMPERS?

Broad Themes: Meeting people & making friends, Trust building activities, Expressed desire for contact

Specifics:Time set aside to exchange contact informationKids ask for counselor addressesReturning campers eager to reconnectFriend requests on Facebook (cannot accept)Letters received from campersTrusting, lasting bondsSustained relationships outside of camp

3. DO YOU BELIEVE THAT CAMPERS WANT TO STAY CONNECTED WITH EACH OTHER AND THEIR

COUNSELORS AFTER CAMP IS OVER? PLEASE EXPLAIN WHY OR WHY NOT.

Broad Themes:Replicate CSC virtually Specifics:Games, Rituals & Activities

Daily summit questionPasswordMafiaScavenger huntWish boat racesSmall group/cabin games OlympicsForumVideo chatCampfireSongsReading to kids

4. IF CSC WAS A VIRTUAL WORLD ONLINE, WHAT WOULD YOU HOPE TO FIND THERE?

Virtual world ( l ike mindcraft)“How are you” check insRecordings of CSC songsVideos of CSC activit ies/events—dance, plays, etc.ChantsBannersAvatarsCatching frogsNews updatesDaily themesBirthday celebrations—staff birthday greetingEarn points/coins for partic ipating in activit iesCreate own groupsIcons & LegendsYetiGodzeeraMascots

QUESTION 4 SPECIFICS (CONTINUED)

Broad themes: Change & Consistency, Communicating with others, CSC activities, Regular updates, Safeguards

Specifics:Enough change to be dynamicUser friendlyActively engaging—have something happening all the timePick up where you left offReal time chatEmotional safety

5. WHAT DO YOU THINK WOULD KEEP CAMPERS COMING BACK TO CSCO?

Mechanism to reach out and connectEasy access and navigationRegular updatingLimit use timePasswordSummitChance to talk with counselorsActive participation of counselors—will draw campers inYear round yeti watch

QUESTION 5 SPECIFICS (CONTINUED)

Broad themes : Safety, Accessibi l ity& Usage issues

Specifics: Safety ConcernsBullying Inappropriate relationships Communications too personalClose moderation (especial ly instant messages)Safety of private chattingOthers using camper’s accountInvite kids via parent e-mail Accessibi l ity & UsageNo internet or computer accessAssistance with accessTrack kids on site too long—prompt to get offHomework help

6. WHAT CONCERNS WOULD YOU HAVE ABOUT AN ONLINE CSC ENVIRONMENT?

Broad themes: Positive & Safe, Capture CSC, Consult with CSC Counselors

Specifics:Be a kid—be openLearn about CSC comprehensively—physical space, activities, CSC spirit/cultureRepresent CSC accuratelyMake daytime/nighttimePleasant music, sun shinyUser friendly—sensitive to age rangeMake it a fun, positive & safe environmentInclusive of allWork with counselors

7. IF YOU COULD OFFER ONE PIECE OF ADVICE TO PEOPLE CREATING CSCO, WHAT WOULD IT BE?

The Culture of CSC

DOMINANT THEMES ON CSC CULTURE FROM CAMPERS

CSCO should be…A place to connect with counselors & friends

A place to learn new things, have fun & play CSC games

A place to see photos & videos of camp: people & nature

A virtual CSC: Transpose everything CSC to online world

DOMINANT CAMPER THEMES ON CSCO

CSCO should be…Supportive

Fun

A place to be together

DOMINANT CAMPER THEMES ON CSCO (CONTINUED)

The Culture of CSC

DOMINANT THEMES ON CSC CULTUREFROM COUNSELORS

CSCO should be…Supportive, personal & compassionate

A positive, safe environment

A virtual CSC

A place to stay in touch with friends and counselors

DOMINANT COUNSELOR THEMES ON CSCO

CSCO should be…A place to have fun, play, learn &

connect

User friendly, engaging, stable & dynamic

A place that captures the spirit of CSC

DOMINANT COUNSELOR THEMES ON CSCO (CONTINUED)

Based on the collective findings from the counselor and camper focus groups, the following recommendations are made:

Capture the essence of CSC in a virtual world : Make it supportive, non-judgmental, interactive, encouraging, accepting, inclusive & personal. These are the empowering, resi l ience-building elements of CSC. Campers and counselors both talked about the appeal of creating avatars in a CSC virtual world.

Include counselors and campers in CSCO development: Campers and counselors will have many insights into what will work, what won’t and why. Their expertise should be used in the process of development.

Learn about the details of the games & activities at CSC and transpose them into CSCO: Campers expressed a strong desire to do the things on CSCO that they did at camp.

RECOMMENDATIONS

Include visual images (videos and photos) and sounds of camp during all seasons: This came up in both camper and counselor groups. Seeing the camp—the grounds, the lake, the buildings, etc.-- wil l bring them closer to it when they are away.

Work on making it safe and secure: This was highlighted by the counselors in particular but it also came up in camper groups. CSCO will need careful monitoring and clear policies to train those monitoring to recognize and respond to a range of safety concerns.

Make CSCO educational and fun: Campers talked a lot about valuing learning new things at CSC—counselors also emphasized this. Educational activity and fun are not mutually exclusive.

Address accessibility issues: Concerns were raised about lack of or l imited access to the internet—uneven across campers, especial ly young campers.

RECOMMENDATIONS (CONTINUED)

Incorporate the specific rituals, legends and structures of the camp experience: Flag raising, summit, password, campfire/singing, daytime/night time, Yeti, Godzeera, etc (see more specifics in data analysis sections). These capture the camp experience and will make it unique and familiar.

Create mechanism for campers and counselors to reach out to one another: Some kind of alert system to let people know contact is desired.

Ensure that counselors go on CSCO regularly and interact: Counselors felt that if they have a presence on CSCO, campers will come.

RECOMMENDATIONS (CONTINUED)