A Weekend Together: Single Parent Family Camp

One of society's greatest challenges today is the increasing number of children in single parent families. "It is projected that nearly one-half of all babies born today will spend some time in a one parent family that occurred as a result of single parenthood or divorce." (Hernandez, 1993) Today 7.3% (4.7 million) of American children live with an unmarried parent, 9.1% (5.9 million) live with a divorced parent, and 7.4% (4.8 million) live with a separated or widowed parent. (Norton & Miller, 1992)

Despite their prevalence, single parents often feel like they are "going it alone." These families are often targeted as families in disruption or distress with children being targeted as youth-at-risk. Reaching these families is one reason why Extension agents with Ohio State University Extension initiated a single parent family camp and why its organizers see a repeat business each year.

Originating in 1989, the innovative camp provides an opportunity for single parents to spend quality time with their children in a non-threatening, less stressful atmosphere than might be perceived at home. The camp demonstrates a team approach utilizing Extension professionals in 4-H youth development and family and consumer sciences.

According to Teachman & Paasch (1994), single parent families are more likely to be economically disadvantaged than two parent families. To help offset financial obstacles, numerous civic and service organizations contribute money annually to assist with camp costs, registration fees, scholarships, group camp activities and guest speaker honoraria. To keep costs to a minimum, the weekend camp is held at an established 4-H camp with a permanent staff.

The goal of Single Parent Family Camp is to provide age- appropriate educational opportunities for parents, children, and families. Parent sessions focus on increasing management skills, coping with stress, raising self-esteem, strengthening interpersonal communications, empowering parenting roles, enhancing parent-child relationships, and developing decision making and goal setting skills. Children participate in nature walks, board games, crafts, story telling, and clowning. Special programs are designed for family interaction--cabin skits, family tent camping, low initiative and high rope courses, wagon rides, farm visits and team sports. Extension personnel, volunteers and former campers coordinate the weekend activities and interact with participants.

Both parents and children complete a questionnaire following camp. Evaluations indicate that both groups had excellent opportunities to share and develop quality time, increase self- esteem and develop better communication skills in their families. Perhaps the most important impact was revealed through qualitative data collected via informal interview. "You just don't see a lot of things offered for single parents," a single father said. "I feel like we're a big, silent majority that no one really pays attention to. At the camp, we're definitely not a minority."

Having completed its eighth year, the Northwest Ohio camping program continues to serve single parent families throughout Ohio and neighboring states. The camp allows single parent families, often called the "silent majority," to feel like they are an integral part of society.

Hernandez, D.J. (1993). America's children: Resources for family, government, and the economy. New York: Russell Sage Foundation.

Norton, A.J. & Miller, L.F. (1992). U.S. Bureau of Census: Marriage, divorce and remarriage in the 1990's (Current Population Reports, Series P-23, No. 180). Washington, DC: U.S. Government Printing Office.

Teachman, J.D. & Paasch, K.M. (Spring 1994). Financial impact of divorce on children and their families. In R.E. Behrman, M.D. (Ed.). The future of children (pp.63-83). Los Angeles: The Center for the Future of Children, The David and Lucille Packard Foundation.

A Weekend Together: Single Parent Family Camp

Nearly one-half of all babies born today will spend time in a one parent family that occurred as a result of single parenthood or divorce. To reach this audience, a weekend camp has been conducted since 1989 reaching over 75 families every year. 4 -H youth development and family and consumer science Extension professionals work together to provide educational opportunities for parents, children, and families. Evaluations indicate an increase in self-esteem, better communication skills, and more quality time spent together. The low-cost camping experience has helped families feel like they are a more integral part of society.