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Connecting Through Summer Camp: Youth with Visual Impairments Find a Sense of Community
Journal Title
Adapted Physical Activity Quarterly
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2011-01-01
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28
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1
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Abstract
The social meaning of a one-week residential summer sports camp to young people with visual impairments is described. The experiences of 13 youths (7 females and 6 males) with visual impairments (3 B1, 1 B2, and 9 B3) between 9 and 15 years of age were gathered using the phenomenological methods of focus groups, conversational interviews, and field notes. The thematic analysis revealed three themes: connected, reaching out, and resisting and acquiescing. Experiences of group membership and shared emotional connection to others with visual impairments surfaced in a supportive sport context although resistance to others' assumptions of ability was evident. The theory of psychological sense of community (McMillan & Chivas, 1986) provided the conceptual framework for interpreting the findings.
Citation
Goodwin, D.L., & Lieberman, L.J. (2011). Connecting Through Summer Camp: Youth with Visual Impairments Find a Sense of Community. Adapted Physical Activity Quarterly, 28(1), 40-55.