Evaluation of the Portland Metro Council of Camp Fire’s School-Based Program

Status: complete


Purpose: The purpose of the project was to build an evaluation system to help Camp Fire assess change associated with School-Based Program (SBP) involvement across a variety of youth development outcomes: (1) respect for others, (2) self-confidence, (3) leadership, and (4) learning. The evaluation also contributed to the program’s capacity to conduct its own evaluation activities over time.

Project Design: The Camp Fire SBP promotes the constructive use of after-school time for youth in grades K through 6 by providing (1) a caring, safe environment; (2) supportive relationships with adult role models; (3) high expectations for youth potential; and (4) opportunities for community service. The evaluation was primarily an outcome study using a pretest/posttest design to assess intra-individual change over time (data collected at the beginning and end of the school year over 2 years). NPC Research collected survey data from youth, teachers, Camp Fire staff, parents/guardians, and school administrative records, as well as trained Camp Fire staff to collect, manage, and report on its own data.

Funding Source: Portland Metro Council of Camp Fire

Start Date: February 2009

NPC Project Team

Principal Investigator and Project Director

Tamara Perkins, Ph.D.

Project Coordinator

Theresa Herrera Allen, Ph.D.

Data Management Coordinator

Kate Kissick, B.A.

Research Staff

Alissa Cattone, B.S.