Treating Anxiety and Depression in Children and Adolescents: The Therapeutic Potential of Overnight Summer Camp

Abstract Background The last twenty years have seen a notable rise in mental health concerns among children and adolescents. These concerns were profoundly exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, prompting the need for timely intervention. Objective The purpose of these studies was to evaluate the therapeutic potential of overnight summer camp. Methods (1) A systematic review of the literature published through December 2022 was performed. Included studies presented self-report measures of anxiety at two points across the camp session using a valid and reliable instrument. Meta-analysis was performed using Cohen’s d as an effect size. (2) Mental health was assessed among campers attending an all-boys summer camp through validated self-report questionnaires. Positive and negative mood scores were collected on the first and last full day of camp. Results (1) Eight articles with a sample size of 720 were included for meta-analysis, yielding a statistically significant decrease in anxiety symptoms post-camp compared to pre-camp with a Cohen’s d of − 0.25 (95% confidence interval − .37 to − .13; p < .001). (2) Among 464 participants (mean age 13.1 years), boys experienced increases ( p < .05), across their 2-week camp stay, in Positive Emotion, Homesickness, and Self-Confidence along with a non-significant decrease in Negative Emotion ( p = .61). Conclusions Participation in overnight summer camps may have benefits in anxiety levels in youth and promote positive mood and self-confidence. While such camps are promising milieus for population-wide treatment of anxiety and depression in children and adolescents and could represent a cost-effective alternative to outpatient mental health care, additional research is needed to clarify iatrogenic effects and mechanisms of these benefits with formal fidelity monitoring and expanded outreach.