Building self-esteem - camps

Camping Magazine, Jan-Feb, 1997 by Kris Lishner, Judy Myers

Self-esteem Promoting Behaviors

* Treat, and help others treat, campers as respected, valued people.

* Establish realistic expectations, such as the developmentally appropriate requirement that 8-year-olds not sit still for more than 10 minutes.

* Structure situations to help campers be successful.

* Communicate confidence in campers.

* Effectively praise campers and help others to do likewise.

* Listen effectively and be open with "I" feelings.

* Avoid using judgmental or "you are ..." statements.

* Develop new or adapted experiences that are relevant and important to campers.

* Develop and use positive interactions and strategies for changing undesired or inappropriate behaviors.

* Engage campers in problem-solving techniques and situations.

* Be aware of and express interest in campers' activities and daily events.

* Talk with campers frequently.

* Promote responsibility.

References

Coopersmith, S. (1967). The antecedents of self esteem. San Francisco: W. H. Freeman.

Garbarino, J. &. Stott, F. (1989). What children can tell us: eliciting, interpreting, and evaluating information from children. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass Publishers.

Harter, S. (1985). Competence as a dimension of self-evaluation: Toward a comprehensive model of self-worth. In R. Leahy (Ed.). The development of the self Orlando, FL: Academic Press.

Harter, S. (1990). Causes, correlates, and the functional role of global self-worth. In R. Sternberg & J. Kolligian (Eds.). Competence considered. New Haven, CT: Yale University Press.

Papalia, D. & Olds, S. (1996). A child's world: Infancy through adolescence (7th ed.). New York: McGraw Hill.

Sieving, R. & Zirbel-Donisch, S. (1990). Development and enhancement of self-esteem in children. Journal of Pediatric Health Care, 4, 290-296.

Kris Lishner, D.N.S., R.N., is an associate professor of child health nursing at the Intercollegiate Center for Nursing Education in Spokane, Wash. She is the coauthor of Creating a Healthy Camp Community.

Judy Myers, Ph.D., CCD, is executive director of Holy Names Music Center in Spokane, Wash. She has been a frequent Camp Director Institute dean.