Maslow and Turner’s Take on Transformation from Camp’s “Magic” - with Star Wilkes - The Pudding #21

Find full show notes and links at: https://gocamp.pro/the-pudding/turner-and-maslow-to-transformation-and-magic

Unpacking the Transformative Power of Summer Camps for Staff

In this episode, Dr. Mandi Baker and Travis Allison interview Star Wilkes, Lecturer in Special Education, Disability, and Inclusion Studies at the University of Wolverhampton. Star shares her journey from working at a special needs camp in America to becoming a researcher and university lecturer in the UK. She explains her research based on sending her students to work for an American camp. Drawing on surveys, weekly journal entries and interviews, Star explores the links between liminal communities (Turner) and “peak experiences” (Maslow). Star reflects on the importance of reflective practices and mentoring cultures in enhancing the camp experience for staff and campers alike. The episode concludes on Star's future plans to publish her findings and explore the recipe for “camp magic” further.

• 00:19 Meet the Hosts and Star’s Journey to Camp Research
• 08:51 Star’s Study on Camp Staff Diaries
• 11:15 Unpacking the Concept of Liminality (Turner)
• 22:01 Durkheim’s “Collective Effervescence”
• 24:59 Maslow’s “Peak Experiences”
• 29:39 Star’s Students at Camp & Further Research Goals
• 35:53 Key Weeks with Shared Experiences
• 37:12 Future Directions & Episode Wrap-up

Your Hosts

• Dr. Mandi Baker, Researcher - Summer Camp, Outdoor Recreation, Sociology and Hospitality/Tourism - getlamped@gmail.com
• Travis Allison, Summer Camp Consultant - Go Camp Pro - travis@gocamp.pro
• Star Wilkes, Lecturer in Special Educational Needs, Disability and Inclusion Studies, University of Wolverhampton - S.Wilkes2@wlv.ac.uk

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