“This experience has told me to never be afraid to do something and to overcome my fears by going ahead and doing it! The things that I will remember about PBC for many years to come are being able to set new challenges and goals for myself.”
Evidence-Based Programs
The Blairstown Campus served as one of the original test sites for the American Camp Association's Youth Outcomes Battery, a statistically validated instrument designed to measure 11 common youth outcomes. The students who participated in the survey scored at or above the national norms for teamwork, perceived competence, responsibility, risk-taking, and connectedness to the natural world. The Center uses a shorter version of this nationally recognized outcomes tool for students who engage in programs of three or more days. We also utilize a companion teacher/chaperone survey. Both sets of survey results are utilized by program managers during supervision with facilitators to provide specific feedback and improve performance. The Center’s management and Board Program Committee review the results annually to better inform our work and influence our logic models.
After a group completes their stay at the Center, all staff who worked on the program engage in a program debrief meeting to share program, safety, and logistical challenges and successes. This allows staff members to quickly assess and implement any quality improvements to our programs on a real-time basis.
Summer Bridge Data
More than 90% of chaperones and teachers report that their students improve their social-emotional and 21st Century skills after a week of Summer Bridge programming. From 2017-2022 (no data available for 2020 due to COVID-19), on average, students demonstrated the following improvements according to their teachers/chaperones:
87% demonstrated improved teamwork skills.
85% demonstrated improved leadership skills.
86% demonstrated improved problem-solving skills.
80% demonstrated an improved appreciation of the natural world.
From 2017-2022 (no data available for 2020 due to COVID-19), on average, student results indicated that 77% reported improved teamwork skills, 72% reported improved problem-solving skills, and 75% reported improved appreciation of the natural world.
In 2022, 45% of the students served identified as female; 45% as male; and 10% as non-binary, prefer to self-describe, or prefer not to say. Fifty-nine percent identified as African American, 26% as Latinx, 4% as Biracial or Other, 1.5% as AAPI, and 1.5% as Caucasian. Over 90% of the students were eligible for free (families with incomes at or below 130% of the poverty level) or reduced (families with incomes between 130% and 185% of the poverty level) meals.
Click here to see the most recent Summer Bridge Program outcomes for students and teachers.
For more information on outcomes of PBC programs and other resources, please contact Pam Gregory at pgregory@princetonblairstown.org.
