Recreation, Parks and Tourism Administration Commons^™

Benefits Cost Anaylsis: Options For Sea Level Rise Adaptation On West Cliff Drive, Charles S. Colgan, Philip King, David Revell

Publications

This report presents the results of a benefit cost analysis of various options for adapting West Cliff Drive (in the City of Santa Cruz, California) to sea level rise as identified through extensive technical analysis and community input. This report has built on previous work completed as part of the West Cliff Drive Adaptation and Management Plan project. The previous work products provided much of the information needed for this benefit cost analysis included an existing conditions inventory, future exposure and vulnerability assessment, and an adaptation alternatives analysis. Since most of the West Cliff Drive corridor is publicly owned by …

Can Simulated Nature Support Mental Health? Comparing Short, Single-Doses Of 360-Degree Nature Videos In Virtual Reality With The Outdoors, Michael H.E.M. Browning, Katherine J. Mimnaugh, Carena J. Van Riper, Heidemarie K. Laurent, Steven M. Lavalle

Publications

Nature exposure in virtual reality (VR) can provide emotional well-being benefits for people who cannot access the outdoors. Little is known about how these simulated experiences compare with real outdoor experiences. We conduct an experiment with healthy undergraduate students that tests the effects of 6 min of outdoor nature exposure with 6 min of exposure to a 360-degree VR nature video, which is recorded at the outdoor nature exposure location. Skin conductivity, restorativeness, and mood before and after exposure are measured. We find that both types of nature exposure increase physiological arousal, benefit positive mood levels, and are restorative compared …

Use Of Physical Activity Monitoring Devices By Families In Rural Communities: Qualitative Approach, Iryna Sharaievska, Rebecca A. Battista, Jennifer Zwetsloot

Publications

Background: Several studies support the impact of information communication technology–based interventions to promote physical activity among youth. However, little is known on how technology can be used by the entire family to encourage healthy behavior. Previous studies showed that children and youth rely and are dependent upon the decisions and values of their caregivers when it comes to having a healthy lifestyle. Thus, the exploration of behavior and attitudes of the entire family is needed.

Objective: The study aimed to explore (1) perceptions of how the use of physical activity tracking devices (Fitbit Zip) by families in rural communities influence …

Recreation In Families With Children With Developmental Disabilities: Caregivers’ Use Of Online And Offline Support Groups, Iryna Sharaievska, Brooke Burk

Publications

The purpose of this study was to explore what role online and offline support groups play in the lives of families with children who have developmental disabilities. Eight semi-structured individual interviews were conducted with married mothers who had one to five children. The study revealed that caregivers saw online and offline support groups as playing important but different roles in their lives and the lives of their families. Online support groups were particularly appreciated during the initial steps of learning about a child’s disability when caregivers felt isolated and eager to learn more. During that stage, online support groups offered …

The Privilege Of Healthy Eating: A Qualitative Study Exploring The Local Food Choices Of Low-Income Families From Appalachia, Iryna Sharaievska, Stephanie West, Melissa Weddell

Publications

Using qualitative semi-structured interviews, 15 low-income women of different ages were asked to discuss their perceptions of healthy eating, local farmers’ markets, as well as their visitation of farmers’ markets. The participants were also asked to share what features of farmers’ markets they found appealing. The results showed that most of the participants had either a deep or moderate understanding of what it means to eat healthy. However, many of them also believed they could improve their own patterns of eating. The data also showed that the low-income women who took part in the study had positive attitudes overall toward …

Health And Recreation Perceptions Of Adults With Developmental Disabilities, Brooke N. Burk, Iryna Sharaievska

Publications

Because of the high rates of obesity among people with developmental disabilities (DD) and our limited knowledge about their perceptions of what it means to live a healthy lifestyle, it is imperative that we conduct research to expand our understanding of their attitudes towards and engagement in active recreation and healthy eating practices. Therefore, the objectives of this study were to explore (a) adults’ with DD attitudes toward healthy eating and active recreation; (b) adults’ with DD intentions and interests for active recreation; and (c) barriers to active recreation and healthy eating. Eighteen adults with DD (16 of whom were …

Parent Anxiety Causes And Consequences: Perspectives From Camp Program Providers, Barry A. Garst, Ryan Gagnon, Troy Bennett

Publications

Although out-of-school time experiences such as camp contribute to youth development, youth in-volvement in these developmental experiences is largely dependent on parents who determine which activities are appropriate for their children. A contributing factor to parents’ decisions to send their child to camp is the amount of risk and non-clinical anxiety that parents associate with the camp experience, yet little attention has been paid to these issues, particularly from the perspective of camp program providers. It is unclear to what extent parent anxiety is an operational and pro-grammatic concern for camp program providers. Informed by risk perception and parent involve-ment …

Benchmarking Professional Development Practices Across Youth-Serving Organizations: Implications For Extension, Barry A. Garst, Sarah Baughman, Nancy Franz

Publications

Examining traditional and contemporary professional development practices of youth-serving organizations can inform practices across Extension, particularly in light of the barriers that have been noted for effectively developing the professional competencies of Extension educators. With professional development systems changing quickly, particularly through online education and blended learning opportunities, benchmarks need to guide new research around best practices in professional development. Although many program providers have not established benchmarks for professional development, a few cases exist. This article examines the current state of professional development practices of youth-serving organizations and offers recommendations for improving Extension professional development practices.

Injury And Illness Benchmarking And Prevention For Children And Staff Attending U.S. Camps: Promising Practices And Policy Implications, Barry A. Garst, Linda E. Erceg, Edward Walton

Publications

The camp experience has been an important American tradition for 150 years. In 2012, more than 11 million youth and adults attended an estimated 12,000 day and resident camps.1 Day and resident camp experiences differ; a typical day camp lasts roughly six to eight hours on any given day, while resident (overnight) camps operate 24/7 during a camp session. Youth and adults live at resident camp and are therefore in personal contact with one another for a longer timeframe than is typical of the day camp experience. Day or resident camp sessions can last from one week to up to …

Residential Summer Camp: A New Venue For Nutrition Education And Physical Activity Promotion, Alison K. Ventura, Barry A. Garst

Publications

Millions of children attend residential summer camps each year. However, few studies have examined the potential of camps for obesity prevention efforts. Research in the domain of positive youth development has shown that camp programs as short as one week have both short- and long-term positive effects on self-esteem, self-efficacy and other youth outcomes. The objective of the present study was to highlight the potential of resident camps as promising venues for the promotion of healthy eating and physical activity behaviors in the children who attend.

Family And Marital Satisfaction And The Use Of Social Network Technologies, Iryna Sharaievska

Publications

The popularity of social network sites (SNS) is increasing among all age groups. Since shared leisure is considered to be one of the key factors that contribute to the stability and quality of marriage and family and life satisfaction, the interplay between the use of SNS by family members, their leisure and their marital and family satisfaction should be examined. The objectives of this study were to: (1) Explore how the use of SNSs by family members influences and is influenced by family leisure and family satisfaction; (2) Examine how the use of SNSs by couples influences and is influenced …

Using Single-Case Participatory Action Research As A Methodology To Explore Appalachian Summer Camp Communities, Barry A. Garst, Nancy K. Franz, Brian Peters, Chris Smith, Sarah Baughman

Publications

Community educators have long known the value of direct experience in the learning process. Participatory action research extends this philosophy to the realm of research. This article examines the value of involving front line camp staff, members of the camp community in Appalachia as practitioner researchers with university scientists in studying the type and conditions of transformative learning in young adult camp staff. A young adult who was a camp community member assisted the researchers with methodology, data analysis, data interpretation, and dissemination of findings. This resulted in a more accurate, richer, and thicker description of the camp community member’s …

Examining Youth Camping Outcomes Across Multiple States: The National 4-H Camping Research Consortium (Ncrc), Barry A. Garst, Allison Nichols, Jill Martz, Niki Nestor Mcneely, Laura Bovitz, Denise Frebertshauser, Suzanne Le Menestrel, Jill Walahoski

Publications

The impact of residential camp participation is needed for camps focused on a variety of outcomes including education, summer fun, prevention, and youth development. One system, the Cooperative Extension Service, conducts 4-H residential camps in most states nationwide every year. These camps, though offering educational enhancement and fun activities, are focused on youth development, incorporating a framework called the essential elements of positive youth development. The National 4-H Camping Research Consortium (NCRC), a group of Extension specialists and county-level educators, designed and piloted assessment tools for 4-H camps that can be used at any camp that focuses on youth development. …

Book Review: Stars Above, Earth Below: A Guide To Astronomy In The National Parks, T. D. Oswalt

Publications

This document is Dr. Oswalt’s review of Stars Above, Earth Below : a Guide to Astronomy in the National Parks by Tyler Nordgren. Springer/Praxis, 2010 444p, 9781441916488 $29.95.

Consistency Of Developmental Outcomes Of 4-H Camp Experiences Over Time And Across Sites, Sarah Baughman, Barry A. Garst, Nicholas Fuhrman

Publications

The purpose of this study was to explore the developmental outcomes of 4-H camp experiences as identified by parents and guardians. The authors examined (1) the changes in youth life skill behaviors that parents/guardians attribute to a 5-day residential 4-H camping experience, (2) their perceptions of consistency in the life skills gained across multiple camps and years, and (3) differences in life skill development between male and female youth participants. Parents of campers ages 9-13 were randomly sampled in 2001 (n=363), 2004 (n=326), and 2007 (n=326) and asked to report changes in their child's behavior following camp. Results indicate an …

"Growing Without Limitations:" Transformation Among Young Adult Camp Staff, Barry A. Garst, Nancy K. Franz, Sarah Baughman, Chris Smith, Brian Peters

Publications

A strong body of research has developed over the last decade regarding the developmental outcomes of camp experiences of children and adolescents. However, few formal studies have been conducted to determine how camp experiences lead to deep personal change in young adult staff. In this study, the authors used focus groups and an online survey to explore transformation among young adult camp staff. Specifically, they examined (a) how camp involvement promotes transformation in young adults, and (b) what conditions in the camp environment promote personal change. Staff reported that personal change at camp was related to the developmental outcomes they …

An Exploration Of Developed Forest Camping Experiences And Meanings In The Mount Rogers National Recreation Area, Barry A. Garst

Publications

Developed forest camping has received little attention in the recreation research since the late 1960s and early 1970s. Changes in socio-demographics, technology, and the publicâ s expectations for amenities over the past forty years suggested that the nature of the developed camping experience may have changed. Thus, the purpose of this study was to understand the modern developed forest camping experience and associated meanings and the influence of technology on developed forest camping. In-depth interviews were conducted in the Mount Rogers National Recreation Area with thirty-eight camping groups in three campgrounds which varied in their level of development. Developed forest …

Undergraduate Student Internships In Natural Resources At Virginia 4-H Educational Centers, Jeff Kirwan, Barry Fox, Barry A. Garst

Publications

Virginia has six 4-H educational centers that provide residential camping experiences for over 22,000 youth per year, the second largest 4-H camping program in the United States. These children may have many learning opportunities in the areas of natural resources and outdoor living skills. Beginning in 1995, the Chesapeake Bay Program in cooperation with the Virginia Division of Soil and Water Conservation provided funds for water quality instructors at each of the 4-H Centers. In 1998, the Virginia Forestry Educational Foundation began supporting a similar internship program for undergraduate students to serve as forestry instructors. Nearly 50 undergraduate students have …