Camp Superteens. An asthma education program for adolescents.

Camp Superteens, an asthma self-management educational program, was designed for and offered to adolescents ages 13 to 16 at a large local shopping mall. The 6-hour program was divided into four main categories: presentation of asthma information; non-pharmacological management; pharmacological management; and dealing with self and others. A pilot study on asthma self-efficacy, completed during the first year of camp, found a significant improvement in self-efficacy in five instances, with demonstrated increased confidence in ability to manage asthma when: 1. exercising; 2. at the doctor's office; 3. breathing improperly; 4. afraid; and 5. angry. While pilot study results are encouraging and have already been useful for curricular refinement purposes, the small sample size (n = 17) and other limitations suggest the need for further research.