PERCENT and non-accredited camps, different sponsors, or the different sample areas. Table 6 lists the medical conditions accepted and the percentage of camps accepting applicants with the specified condition. About a quarter of the camps accepted campers with asthma, allergies or diabetes. Fewer (16 percent) accepted epileptic or convulsive campers. About one in 10 accepted the physically handicapped, nonambulatory, or cerebral palsied camper and one in 10 accepted mentally retarded or mentally handicapped campers. Figure 16. AREA Percentage of camps in each sample area requiring Condition: TABLE 6.-Specific medical conditions accepted by camps Asthma/allergies.. Diabetes__ Epilepsy/convulsions. Physically handicapped/nonambulatory/cerebral palsy. Blind/deaf Hyperactive Miscellaneous other conditions (including heart problems) - Conditions that will not interfere with camp program Percentage of camps that accepted specified condition 1 i Conditions that are under control and can be handled by nurse or All conditions with few exceptions-no communicable diseases_ 28 22 16 10 9 4 3 7 29 15 5 3 10 1 Percentages are based on 193 camps specifically indicating that they would accept medical conditions Many camps, while stating that they accepted medical conditions, did so with some qualifications so that the condition would not interfere with the camp program. For example, 29 percent said they accepted conditions if a physician and/or the parent consented. This frequently meant that the physician had to certify that the child was able to participate in the camp program or that the normal camp program would not adversely affect the child. Another 15 percent specifically stated that the condition could not interfere with the camp program and 5 percent indicated that the condition must be under control so that (presumably) the camper could function in a normal or near-normal camp program. Transportation.-An area of concern in camp health and safety is the need to transport campers to the camp and to provide transportation for campers while in camp. Four out of ten camps indicated that they furnished transportation to and from the camps. Half of the camps with less than a 50-bed capacity furnished transportation, but only about a third of camps with a capacity of 100-149 beds provided transportation. For camps with a capacity of 150-199 and 200 and over, however, those furnishing transportation made up about 40 percent of their respective groups as can be seen in Figure 17. With regard to the type of vehicles used by the 85 camps providing transportation, about one-third (34 percent) used chartered or commercial buses, almost one-half (45 percent) used school or church buses, and the remaining 21 percent provided a variety of vehicles, usually smaller types, such as automobiles, pickup trucks, and small vans. Approximately half of the eighty-five camps furnishing transportation were accredited by the American Camping Association. About 47 percent of all ACA accredited camps furnished transportation to and from their camps, which was significantly greater than camps accredited by other agencies or camps with no accreditation; only about one-third of the camps in these two latter groups provided transportation as shown in Figure 18. Camp sponsors differed in the degree to which they provided transportation of campers to the camp as seen in Figure 19. Approximately 6 out of 10 of the privately sponsored camps provided transportation, while only slightly more than one-third of the religious camps furnished transportation. Of the camps sponsored by miscellaneous other organizations, almost 68 percent provided transportation, which was about twice the percentage for camps sponsored by miscellaneous other organizations, almost 68 percent provided transportation, which was about twice the percentage for camps sponsored by the Scouting and religious groups. Furnishing transportation also differed with regard to the area of the country involved as shown in Figure 20. About half of all camps in the Laws and Comparison groups furnished transportation. This proportion is significantly greater than for those camps located in the South/East (about one-fifth) and in the West (about one-third). 1 Once at the camp, campers may be transported in a variety of vehicles to nearby points of interest, cookouts, canoe trips and other activities either on or off the campground. A quarter of camps, however, said they provided no such transportation. Some kind of multipassenger vehicle such as a van or station wagon is the most frequently used mode, followed by buses of various types. Cars and trucks were about equally mentioned. When provided, such transportation was most frequently done more than once a week and even daily. Figure 17. Percentage of camps of different sizes furnishing transportation to and from the camp. PERCENT Camps were asked to indicate the licensing and other qualifications for vehicle drivers. While about 56 percent of all camps required a state driver's license, only about one-fifth required a chauffeur's, or other special license. Very few of the 212 camps provided any details on special requirements for drivers, but Figure 21 shows what these were. A quarter of the camps required drivers to be 21 years old or over, which, together with a state driver's license appeared to be the primary requirement. Two camps permitted drivers to be 16 years old or less. A few camps checked on driving records, tested drivers, or trained them in duties. Figure 18. Percentage of accredited and non-accredited camps furnishing transportation to the camp. |