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Camping programs for children with cancer and their families

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Abstract

This paper presents an introduction to the role of camping programs for children with cancer and their families and a hypothesized theory of action. Nine previously published studies investigating recreation-based summer camps for children with cancer and their families are summarized. Overall, these programs appear to be effective; however, an overall conclusion is difficult to state due to variations in design, heterogeneity of subjects, and differences in the definition of camp programs. The lack of knowledge regarding the efficacy of these programs is identified as the largest deficiency in the current literature on this topic. Future research needs in this area are discussed.

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Acknowledgements

Work for this manuscript was largely done while receiving fellowship support from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (SSHRC). The author would also like to acknowledge the assistance of Dr. Kathy Nixon Speechley at the commencement of this work.

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  1. Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of Western Ontario, Kresge Building, London, Ontario, N6A 5C1, Canada

    Alexandra L.C. Martiniuk

  2. South-Western Ontario, Trillium Childhood Cancer Support Centre, Ontario, Canada

    Alexandra L.C. Martiniuk

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  1. Alexandra L.C. Martiniuk
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Correspondence to Alexandra L.C. Martiniuk.

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Martiniuk, A. Camping programs for children with cancer and their families. Support Care Cancer 11, 749–757 (2003). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-003-0540-y

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