title: Camp programs for children with cancer and their families: review of research progress over the past decade.
abstract: A systematic review was conducted of studies (2001-2013) about therapeutic recreation/camp for children with cancer and/or their family which measured either process or outcome variables qualitatively or quantitatively. Of 581 titles, 20 met the inclusion criteria. Research demonstrates positive impacts of camp on: cancer knowledge, mood, self-concept, empathy, and friendship, quality of life, and emotional well-being. This recent decade of research illuminates nuances in camp outcomes, which previously were unexplored. For instance, changes following camp do not necessarily occur in a linear, positive fashion and varying outcomes were observed by camper subgroup depending on age, culture, and treatment status.
authors.affiliation: The George Institute for Global Health, Sydney, NSW, Australia; The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia; The University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Sunnybrook Health Sciences Center, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
authors.forename: Alexandra
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Martiniuk
authors.forename: Mariana
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Silva
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Amylon
authors.forename: Ronald
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Barr
mesh_terms: D035843:Biomedical Research; D002165:Camping / Q000523:psychology*; D005190:Family / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000523:psychology* / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D012944:Social Support
keywords: camping; coping; pediatric oncology; psychosocial; support program; therapeutic recreation