Development of self-awareness and leadership skills in female students participating in youth camp practices; Sample of outdoor camp

Purpose: This study aims to determine the role of youth camp practices, organised by the Ministry of Youth and Sports, in development of self-awareness and leadership skills in female students participating in these practices. Methodology: Qualitative research methods and an approach, taking research and understanding of social facts forefront within the framework they depend on, are used in this study. Phenomenology pattern is used among qualitative research designs. Observation, focus group discussion and document analysis (camp diary) are used among qualitative research methods. Participants of this study consist of thirty (30) female students in 16-17 age group, participating in youth camp practice. Researcher participated in Aslantaş camp in Osmaniye as observer. Observations were made by leaders of youth camps during camp period. Obtained data were changed into prose in computer environment. Then, data were analysed through "Nvivo 10 for Windows" programme. Also, themes of encoded data, matching with each other, were grouped by 2 professionalists. Codes, in which agreement and difference of opinion, are calculated according to Cohenkappa formula. Coherence among encoders are found r= 0.80 as result of reliability calculation. Thus, calculated values show that there is coherence among raters at good level. Findings: Information regarding demographic characteristics are obtained. Also, data obtained by analysis of diversification method (observation, focus group discussion, document analysis (diary)) are presented under the main theme of "Self-awareness and leadership skills". Conclusion: Results regarding demographic results are given. As a result of analysis of obtained data by diversification method, common ten(10) kernel themes are obtained. These themes are prejudice, communication, friendships, acculturation, team work, responsibility, self sonfidence, consciousness, volunteering and taking role model. Nonetheless, as a result of observation and focus group discussion, "regularity, personal development and time management" common theme and as a result of focus group discussion and camp diaries, "love of nature and emphaty" common theme and as a result of observation and camp diaries "adaptation" common theme are determined. Finally, it is determined that youth camp practices positively contribute into development of self-awareness and leadership skills in female students according to "obtained kernel themes".