Assessing Creativity via Divergent Thinking in Residential Camp Settings

This study assessed divergent thinking among children who attended residential summer camp over a 2 week time period. A sample of campers (n= 189) between the ages of 8-15 participated (mean age = 11.9 years old). A modified version of Guilford’s Alternate Uses Task (1967) was used for both pre and post-tests. Examples of questions asked were: “Name all the uses for a plate” and “Name all the uses for a brick”. Campers took the divergent thinking pre test the first full day of camp and the post test was administered on the last full day of camp. Paired t-tests were used to determine differences in means. The responses were matched from the first assessment to the second, and then each assessment was scored. Scoring was based on fluency, flexibility, and originality. Campers were also compared on gender and whether they selected artistic or non-artistic activities, and if this choice impacted their divergent thinking score. Results indicate on average a significant increase in overall mean scores for fluency, flexibility, and originality. On average girls scored significantly higher than boys across all methods of scoring. Boys had increased scores for flexibility but not in originality or fluency. Results indicate differences in gender had a greater impact on scores rather than activity choice

Workplace creativity and motivation among counselors in a residential summer camp setting

The following dissertation includes an overarching introduction and three conceptually linked articles described below. First, the introduction describes the educational and programmatic components of summer camp, a non-formal educational setting, based on the foundational writing of educational philosopher John Dewey. The introduction also identifies key definitions, concepts, and theoretical frameworks related to outdoor education, creativity, and motivation. The three articles, briefly described below, are self-contained and include distinct introductions, discussions, and implications for future research. Article 1. Summer camp is often anecdotally described as a context which may support creativity due to its unique programmatic features. For instance, residential summer camps are often located in natural setting, provide varied activities, and lack distracting technology. These features may provide ample opportunities for camp participants to try new things and exercise their own creativity. However, only two empirical studies have specifically explored creativity in a summer camp context. This article contains two sections which aim to unpack the mechanisms of summer camp being considered a creative venue for participants. Part one provides a theoretical foundation which includes a brief historical review of summer camp and psychological components of creativity. Part two positions Sociocultural theory, dynamic system approach to novelty, and communities of practice as theoretical foundations for creativity in the context of summer camp. Ultimately, well-run summer camps, which strive to create a creative and supportive context, should provide opportunities for participants (both camper and counselor) to introduce new ideas regardless of experience level. Article 2. Camp directors spend countless hours recruiting and hiring seasonal employees only to repeat the same process the following year. Unfortunately, competing internships and the sentiment that camp is not considered a ‘real job’ are primary reasons for camp workforce shortages across the United States. In fact, staff retention has been identified by the American Camp Association as the number two (of seven) major emerging issues facing the camp industry. To mitigate staff turnover and retention issues, camp directors may need to consider different training methods, adjustment of workplace culture, and redistribution of workplace tasks, which may better support the needs of the staff. Aside from competing internships, more nuanced factors may influence a camp counselors’ willingness to work at camp the following summer. Basic Needs Theory (BNT), a sub theory of Self Determination (SDT), describes overall motivation, satisfaction, and well-being in various contexts (including work contexts). BNT provides a foundation for understanding camp counselor perceptions of autonomy, competence, and relatedness as primary predictors of willingness to return the following year. Article two focused on camp counselor basic need fulfillment and camp experience variables (i.e. number of years as camper and counselor) throughout the course of the summer. as predictors of a counselor’s willingness to return to work at camp the following year. Ultimately, camp directors need to focus training and the culture of camp on the support of basic needs among counselors as one way to create a healthy and sustainable workforce return rate. Article 3. Creativity is a valuable skill needed for idea generation, innovation, and empowerment. People who feel supported in their creativity can make choices freely, feel a sense of autonomy, and are more intrinsically motivated and passionate in their pursuit of goals. Certain social contexts (i.e. work, relationships, school, etc.) are shown to either support or inhibit creativity based on facilitation values, and culture. Due to its programmatic features (varied activities, communal living) and unique context (outdoor, rural, technology free), summer camp is anecdotally considered a work context which may support creativity among camp counselors. However, no known empirical studies have specifically addressed perceptions of workplace creativity among counselors in a residential camp setting. Furthermore, differences may exist between first year and returning staff in their confidence, capacity, and general support for creativity in a residential camp work context. Article three explored differences in organizational support for creativity in a summer camp workplace among first year and returning camp counselors. The third article uses both quantitative and qualitative methods to explore workplace creativity at the beginning and end of one season of employment

Summer Camp as a Force for 21st Century Learning: Exploring Divergent Thinking and Activity Selection in a Residential Camp Setting

This study investigated change in divergent thinking (DT), an indicator of creative potential, at two gender-specific residential summer camps. Additionally, this study examined whether the change in DT varied by gender and by the type of activities campers self-select. Quantitative methods, using a quasi-experimental design was used in order to understand differences in camper scores. A total of 189 youth, 100 girls, 89 boys, between the ages of 9 and 14 years participated in the current study. Participants were administered a modified version of Guilford\u27s (1967) alternate uses task, a measure of DT, in which respondents were asked questions such as name all of the uses for a brick or name all of the uses for a plate before the camp session started, and then again at the end of the two-week session. Results indicate overall mean significant increases in DT across all scoring methods of fluency, flexibility, and originality. Participants who self-selected one or more artistic activities (e.g., drama, arts and crafts, dance) had significant increases on the tasks as opposed to participants who did not select any artistic activities (e.g., basketball, baseball, archery). Finally, girls significantly increased across all scoring methods, whereas boys slightly increased in fluency and flexibility but not in originality. These results indicate residential summer camp may provide a creativity benefit for youth in attendance, especially those who participate in certain activities. Practitioners should use this study to understand their own programming in terms of creativity, activity offerings, and camp cultur

Camp Organizational Support for Creativity Among New and Returning Camp Counselors

Creativity supports interest, imagination, empowerment, intrinsic motivation, and overall engagement. Satisfied employees, who are supported in their creativity, have increased performance, motivation, and commitment. Residential summer camp is a demanding 24-hour job in which camp counselors use creativity on a regular basis via lesson planning, teaching activities, resolving conflict, and living within close proximity to coworkers. The purpose of the current study was to explore organizational support for creativity among first-year and returning staff at the beginning and end of one season of employment. Camp counselors (n = 113) participated in the current study utilizing quantitative and qualitative methods. Quantitative analysis compared pretest data on creativity to posttest items using paired samples t-tests. First-year and returning counselors indicated significant decreases in perceptions of the camp organization valuing creativity. Counselors’ self-identification as a creative employee significantly decreased among returning employees. Qualitative data analysis produced 46 independent responses and 3 content areas describing barriers to creativity, including personal (intimidation, inexperience), structural (time/money), and camp traditions (status quo) barriers. Summer camps should prioritize support for creativity as a vital component needed for a positive work culture. Ultimately, a camp mission, culture, and training, which support creativity may empower counselors (of various experience levels) to create new ideas, camp traditions, and activities

The nature of the pandemic:Exploring the negative impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic upon recreation visitor behaviors and experiences in parks and protected areas

The COVID-19 pandemic dramatically affected parks and protected areas and overall recreation visitation across the United States. While outdoor recreation has been demonstrated to be beneficial, especially during a pandemic, the resulting increase in recreation visitation raises concerns regarding the broader influence of social, situational, ecological, and behavioral factors upon overall visitor experiences. This study investigated the extent to which recreation visitors’ behaviors and experiences have been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic within the White Mountain National Forest (WMNF). A modified drop-off pick-up survey method was employed to collect population-level data from WMNF visitors from June to August of 2020 (n=317), at the height of the pandemic. Results from this mixed-method study suggest social factors (e.g., crowding and conflict), situational factors (e.g., access and closures), ecological factors (e.g., vegetation damage), behavioral factors (e.g., substitution), and sociodemographic factors (e.g., gender and income) significantly influenced overall visitor decision-making and experience quality within the WMNF. For example, more than one-third of visitors indicated the pandemic had either a major or severe impact upon their WMNF recreation experience. A more nuanced investigation of qualitative data determined that the majority of pandemic-related recreation impacts revolved around the themes of social impacts, general negative recreation impacts, situational and ecological impacts, and behavioral adaptation impacts. Moreover, historically marginalized populations (e.g., low-income households and females) within the sample reported significantly higher recreation experience impacts during the pandemic. This study demonstrates the influence of the pandemic upon outdoor recreation visitor experiences and behaviors and considers outdoor recreation as a central component within the broader social-ecological systems framework. This study demonstrates the influence of the pandemic upon outdoor recreation visitor experiences and behaviors and considers resource users a central component within the broader social-ecological systems conceptual framework. MANAGEMENT IMPLICATIONS: This study found that during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic, social, situational, ecological, behavioral, and sociodemographic factors significantly influenced overall visitor decision-making andexperience quality: · Social and general recreation impacts were most common, with approximately 56% of the sample reporting these issues. · Results suggest significant crowding and conflict impacts stemmed from interactions between in-state and out-of-state visitors, largely based upon perceived violations of pandemic protocols. · Moreover, historically marginalized populations stated unique recreation impacts during the pandemic. For instance, visitors from low-income households reported significantly less substitution options as opposed to high-income visitors. · Female visitors perceived significantly more pandemic-related conflict than male visitors. Study findings suggest visitor crowding and conflict should be prioritized by resource managers, especially amongst historically marginalized populations. Resource managers should consider adopting a broader social-ecological systems approach to parks and protected areas management, particularly during a global pandemic

Summer Camp as a Force for 21st Century Learning: Exploring Divergent Thinking in a Residential Camp Setting

This study investigated change in divergent thinking (DT), an indicator of creative potential, at two gender-specific residential summer camps. Additionally, this study examined whether the change in DT varied by gender and by the type of activities campers self-select. Quantitative methods, using a quasi-experimental design was used in order to understand differences in camper scores. A total of 189 youth, 100 girls, 89 boys, between the ages of 9 and 14 years participated in the current study. Participants were administered a modified version of Guilford\u27s (1967) alternate uses task, a measure of DT, in which respondents were asked questions such as name all of the uses for a brick or name all of the uses for a plate before the camp session started, and then again at the end of the two-week session. Results indicate overall mean significant increases in DT across all scoring methods of fluency, flexibility, and originality. Participants who self-selected one or more artistic activities (e.g., drama, arts and crafts, dance) had significant increases on the tasks as opposed to participants who did not select any artistic activities (e.g., basketball, baseball, archery). Finally, girls significantly increased across all scoring methods, whereas boys slightly increased in fluency and flexibility but not in originality. These results indicate residential summer camp may provide a creativity benefit for youth in attendance, especially those who participate in certain activities. Practitioners should use this study to understand their own programming in terms of creativity, activity offerings, and camp culture

Methane and the Paris Agreement temperature goals

Meeting the Paris Agreement temperature goal necessitates limiting methane (CH4)-induced warming, in addition to achieving net-zero or (net-negative) carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. In our model, for the median 1.5°C scenario between 2020 and 2050, CH4 mitigation lowers temperatures by 0.1°C; CO2 increases it by 0.2°C. CO2 emissions continue increasing global mean temperature until net-zero emissions are reached, with potential for lowering temperatures with net-negative emissions. By contrast, reducing CH4 emissions starts to reverse CH4-induced warming within a few decades. These differences are hidden when framing climate mitigation using annual ‘CO2-equivalent’ emissions, including targets based on aggregated annual emission rates. We show how the different warming responses to CO2 and CH4 emissions can be accurately aggregated to estimate warming by using ‘warming-equivalent emissions', which provide a transparent and convenient method to inform policies and measures for mitigation, or demonstrate progress towards a temperature goal. The method presented (GWP*) uses well-established climate science concepts to relate GWP100 to temperature, as a simple proxy for a climate model. The use of warming-equivalent emissions for nationally determined contributions and long-term strategies would enhance the transparency of stocktakes of progress towards a long-term temperature goal, compared to the use of standard equivalence methods. This article is part of a discussion meeting issue ‘Rising methane: is warming feeding warming? (part 2)’

Benjamin Family Social Media Fellows

Katie Barton ’24, Major: Marketing, Minor: Communications Jenna Cobb ’24, Majors: Management and Marketing Kayli Fagan ’23, Majors: Business Management and Studio Art Myles Forgue ’24, Majors: Marketing and Theology Ryan Hanewich ’23, Major: Marketing, Minor: Film/Video Jenny Lynch ’23, Major: Marketing, Minor: Finance Santiago (Santi) Najarro Cano ’24, Major: Marketing, Minor: Theatre Tess Sanchioni ’23, Major: Marketing, Minor: Finance Lily Zgurzynski ’25, Major: Computer Science, Minor: Marketing Mentor: Liz Kay, Marketing and Communications A generous endowment gift from Class of 1991 alumni Meg and Adam Benjamin led to the creation of the annual Benjamin Family Social Media Fellowship in August 2016. The fellowship is awarded to excellent students who are pursuing careers in digital marketing. It is open to Providence College students of all majors, including marketing, management, math, finance, accountancy, English, and art. Those selected for this honor will receive training and opportunities to plan and implement actual social media campaigns through the Providence College School of Business (PCSB) social media accounts. Extensive networking, culminating in a trip to visit leading social media companies and organizations, will be an essential and valuable component of the program

A Multidisciplinary Investigation of a Polycythemia Vera Cancer Cluster of Unknown Origin

Cancer cluster investigations rarely receive significant public health resource allocations due to numerous inherent challenges and the limited success of past efforts. In 2008, a cluster of polycythemia vera, a rare blood cancer with unknown etiology, was identified in northeast Pennsylvania. A multidisciplinary group of federal and state agencies, academic institutions, and local healthcare providers subsequently developed a multifaceted research portfolio designed to better understand the cause of the cluster. This research agenda represents a unique and important opportunity to demonstrate that cancer cluster investigations can produce desirable public health and scientific outcomes when necessary resources are available

Gene flow among wild and domesticated almond species: insights from chloroplast and nuclear markers

Hybridization has played a central role in the evolutionary history of domesticated plants. Notably, several breeding programs relying on gene introgression from the wild compartment have been performed in fruit tree species within the genus Prunus but few studies investigated spontaneous gene flow among wild and domesticated Prunus species. Consequently, a comprehensive understanding of genetic relationships and levels of gene flow between domesticated and wild Prunus species is needed. Combining nuclear and chloroplastic microsatellites, we investigated the gene flow and hybridization among two key almond tree species, the cultivated Prunus dulcis and one of the most widespread wild relative Prunus orientalis in the Fertile Crescent. We detected high genetic diversity levels in both species along with substantial and symmetric gene flow between the domesticated P. dulcis and the wild P. orientalis. These results were discussed in light of the cultivated species diversity, by outlining the frequent spontaneous genetic contributions of wild species to the domesticated compartment. In addition, crop-to-wild gene flow suggests that ad hoc transgene containment strategies would be required if genetically modified cultivars were introduced in the northwestern Mediterranean