Date of Conferral

2021

Degree

Doctor of Public Administration (D.P.A)

School

Public Policy and Administration

Advisor

Gerald Regier

Abstract

Summer overnight camping, a noteworthy childhood leadership growth opportunity, has suffered greatly because of the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2020, Camp Quest, Inc., a nonprofit organization that provides federated support services and governance to 12 independent nationwide camping organizations, was forced to cancel all of its in-person sessions. Hence, they now face an existential crisis that perhaps virtual camping sessions (i.e., camping activities performed remotely and online using computer equipment) can mitigate. Accordingly, this generic qualitative professional administrative study sought to understand and describe the perspectives of the camping leaders related to their experiences with virtual camping so that their mission may be continued in meaningful ways. Using an intersectional thematic approach, I used a semistructured interview to collect information from eight camp leaders representing the different affiliates that provided virtual camping in 2020. I performed analyses along themes of desirable youth-leadership characteristics organized by virtual-camping tools, techniques, and timing factors needed to support them. The results show that the virtual tools, techniques, and timing factors brought to bear by Camp Quest camping leaders in 2020 were effectively used to pursue the desired youth leadership development goals of community, openness, character, and empowerment. The goals of openness and character were well-achieved, but those of community and empowerment were only moderately achieved. This study provides recommendations for improvement and future considerations of growth which may lead in positive social change.

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