The Psychosocial Benefits of Recreational Oncology Camp for Childhood Cancer Patients and Survivors: Study Protocol (Preprint)

BACKGROUND Patients and survivors of childhood cancer may experience negative outcomes following treatment. This may result in negative developmental experiences such as social isolation, academic delays, and altered elective participation in developmental activities. Opportunities that offer experiences to children who have had cancer are important to help mitigate the potential outcomes of cancer treatment. One such opportunity is recreational oncology camp (“Camp”); the focus of this research project is Camp Ooch and Camp Trillium located in Ontario, Canada. OBJECTIVE There are two primary objectives of the current study: 1) examine the impact of recreational overnight Camp on social, psychological, emotional, and physical function in childhood cancer patients; and 2) inform an evidence strategy that can be implemented across the organization. METHODS A total of 40 children ages 7 to 18 will be recruited from Camp Ooch and Camp Trillium registration lists. All cancer diagnoses and stages of treatments will be included. No intervention will be added above regular camp programming which participants will opt into, same as campers that are not participating in the study. A No-camp control Group (n=40) will be recruited from The Hospital for Sick Children. Social, Psychological, and emotional functioning will be assessed by questionnaires including the Social Provisions Scale, General Self Efficacy Scale, and The Profile of Mood States (POMS-40). Stress will be measured via salivary cortisol. Physical function will be measured by via activity tracking (FitBit Charge™ 3), and physical literacy will be assessed by the PlaySelf™ scale. Testing will occur pre-camp, during camp, immediately and 6 months post-camp. RESULTS We hypothesize that compared to the non-camp control group, the camp experience will lead to improved social connectedness, reduced salivary cortisol levels (i.e., reduced stress), improved mood states, and increased self-efficacy. We also hypothesize that compared to the non-camp control group, children in the camp group will have increased physical activity participation, which will be associated with improved physical literacy. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, work on this study has been delayed. We are currently completing our application for institutional research ethics approval. Depending on the COVID-19 pandemic status, data collection is projected to begin in the spring of 2021, with the majority occurring during the 2021 summer camp season. Data collection and analyses are expected to be completed by Spring 2022. CONCLUSIONS Overall, we expect the current project will increase knowledge on the psychosocial impact of childhood cancer and a prospective model for supporting positive youth development through social connections, self-efficacy, physical activity, and interaction with the natural environment. CLINICALTRIAL N/A