| Summary: | Students attending high-achieving schools (HAS) are at risk for psychological distress, experiencing depression, anxiety, substance abuse, and self-harm at disproportionate rates. Environmental factors such as intense achievement pressures and a lack of connectedness limit opportunities for HAS students to experience healthy developmental outcomes. This study aimed to determine if summer camp attendance could be an effective risk-modifier for HAS students. A collective case
study was undertaken to examine the experience of five HAS students who have attended a traditional, single-sex summer camp in Maine as both campers and counselors. The participants' experience demonstrated that the summer camp environment can contribute to Positive Youth Development (PYD) by promoting the Five Cs - caring, character, competence, confidence, and connectedness. PYD can put individuals in a position to make meaningful contributions to their community and to experience
healthy adolescence, limiting the risks for psychological distress that HAS students must navigate. Keywords: Positive Youth Development, High-achieving schools, Summer camp--Author's abstract
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