Residential Summer Camp Staff Perceptions of a Comprehensive Mental Wellness Initiative

Background: Youth today are facing increased mental health challenges, prompting national recommendations for interventions both in school and out-of-school settings, such as summer camps. Emerging literature has identified needs for mental health support in summer camps, including prevalence of issues, staff training, and preparedness. However, limited research has examined how these programs are implemented and practically experienced by stakeholders in the camp community. Purpose: This study presents an overview and exploratory evaluation of a multi-tiered overnight summer camp mental health intervention (“The Wellness Program”) delivered during summer 2024. The program utilized mental health trainees and professionals to support campers and staff through targeted and universal interventions. Method: Data were collected from three sources: counselor ratings of camper behavioral change following wellness sessions, staff satisfaction with accessing wellness support for themselves, and semi-structured staff interviews. Findings: Staff rated the program as effective in promoting positive behavioral change among campers and addressing their own mental health. Staff also identified key features of the program's effectiveness, including accessibility and immediacy, direct practical interventions, and specialized support. Implications: We provide recommendations to inform future development of the Wellness Program at residential summer camp and broadly bolster mental health interventions in summer camp settings.