Abstract
The purpose of this study was to assess the effects of camp experiences on the 19 junior high school refusers, who participated in a seven-day camp at Akkeshi Children's Center conducted in 1998. Their school teachers were asked to report upon the student's school behavior after camp. This report was utilized to make the 5-item checklist of student's behavior in their school lives.The behavior of the students before and after the camp was evaluated in accordance with the 5-item checklist by their teachers. Changes in the subjects were measured with the Self-Concept Scale, the 5-item checklist of students' behavior in their school lives, and the school attendance level. In order to assess subjects' feelings on each activity, the questionnare was filled out before, and immediately after, camp.
The following results were obtained:
1. Statistical differences before and after the camping program were found in 8 items out of Self-Concept Scale consists of 29 items.
2. Positive changes were found in both the teachers' reports and the checklist of students' behavior in their school lives.
3. It is suggested that there were different psychological and behavioral changes, depending on the school attendance level.
4.Cluster Analysis results of the students' questionnaires could be categolized into several groups. The present study illustrated the psychological and behavioral ef5ects that the camping experience had on the junior high school refusers. The end result was that the students. were more inclined to attend public school.
