Exploring Camp Community in Online Summer Camp Programs during COVID-19

Abstract

During summer 2020, many organizations shifted traditional, in-person camp programs online due to concerns from the COVID-19 pandemic.This study explores the intentional design and building process of a camp community in an online program when that format was not the organizations’ original delivery mode.The study involved six online camp programs that historically operated inperson. Researchers gathered data through interviews with camp directors across three time points during their online programs. The findings revealed distinct components that comprise a camp-specific community with pertinent considerations for youth development organizations seeking to create a feeling of community in their online programs.