Participant Research
We surveyed 450 campers; which is the average number of participants we receive through six sessions. We conducted two surveys, the Pre Evaluation was the first of the two. The Pre Evaluation was taken upon arrival to camp to asses the level in which our campers were exposed to the outdoors and their reasons for choosing, or not choosing to participate. In addition to determining whether or not there was a need, we also determined if there was a desire for such a program to exist.
Participant Research
Here campers were asked "How often do you participate in activities outside?", based off of their answers participants were directed to a different set of questions that are addressed in the next chart. In the chart above, it is apparent that nearly 35% of of participants engage the outdoors once a week, and over 40% engage less than a few times a month. In total, almost 79% of our campers engage in trivial amounts of outdoor activities.
Participants who answered "once a week" "A few times a month" and "almost never" were directed to the question above. Their total are less than the over all total (Total: 450 / Negative Response Total: 354). Of the campers who don't participate in outdoor activities regularly, Sports and Electronics made up over 60% of their reasons for choosing not to participate. We speculate the reason for such a high percentage in these areas, is due to the low number of outdoor recreational opportunities available to low income urban families. You'll notice that only 9.3% stated that they had no interest in spending time outdoors, which is addressed in the next chart.
Here participants were asked "Would you like the opportunity to safely participate in activities about nature and in nature?" Nearly 77% stated that they would like the opportunity to have this available to them. Through this chart it is clear that there is a demand for a nature program at HHC.