Leisure Studies Commons^™

Outdoor Adventure And Health: Supporting Empirical Data, Camille J. Bunting

Research in Outdoor Education

The intent of this paper is to introduce a theoretical framework for considering connec­tions between outdoor adventure and health, not to present the findings of one or two new re­search studies. A compilation of empirical data will be presented from various studies to illus­trate the proposed connections, and provide documentation for subjective observations and beliefs long held by outdoor adventure educa­tors. Therefore, the format that follows is not one of a typical research report, but of a position paper with supporting empirical data from the author's own research.

Benefits And Components Of An Inclusive Adventure Program For Families With Children Who Have A Disability, Kathleen Scholl, Leo Mcavoy, John Smith

Research in Outdoor Education

Due to the national movement in the 1970s to de-institutionalize individuals with dis­abilities, the vast majority of these children live with their families in community settings; how­ever, the recreation opportunities for these fami­lies to participate together in community spon­sored programs may be limited. There are many programs for children with disabilities, but few are designed for the entire family when one or more children have a disability. Shifting the fo­cus from the individual with the disability to the entire family can support and enrich the intrinsic strengths that already exist in the family (Clapp & Rudolph, 1993; Dunst, Trivette, Starnes, …

The Effects Of Environmental And Adventure Education Programs On The Wilderness Attitudes Of Japanese Early Adolescents, Taito Okamura

Research in Outdoor Education

The conceptual framework for this study is that outdoor education represents the integration of environmental education and adventure edu­cation (Bisson, 1998; Bunting, 1990; Donna, 1996; Priest, 1986). The purpose of the study was first to compare the effects of environmental and adventure education programs in a resident camp setting on the wilderness attitudes of Japa­nese early adolescents.

The Impact Of Camp Programs On Children With Disabilities: Opportunities For Independence, Ann Fullerton, Steve Brandon, Joel Arick

Research in Outdoor Education

The purpose of this article is to examine the impact of specialized, residential camp programs on children and youth with disabili­ties. In general, the question is: "Does the camp experience result in positive or negative impacts on development, and do these changes transfer to home or school?" Camps are rich in social (both Vgotsky's and Bandura's con­ceptualizations; Gredler, 1992) and experien­tial (Kolb, 1984) learning. In camps, learning occurs while doing tasks within the functional, meaningful contexts of daily and social life in the camp community. Moreover, the naturally occurring consequences of one's actions are immediate and salient. The extensive litera­ture …

Building The Research Foundations Of Outdoor Education, Karen M. Fox, Leo H. Mcavoy, Anderson B. Young

Research in Outdoor Education

A preface to the journal "Research in Outdoor Education," volume 4 is presented by the authors on behalf of the Coalition for Education in the Outdoors (CEO) Research Committee.

An Integrative Review Of The Literature On Women In The Outdoors, Karla Henderson, Nina Roberts

Research in Outdoor Education

The intent of this integrative re­view was to examine approaches used in the existing literature about women and the outdoors, to determine the status of current research, and to suggest implica­tions for the future.

Front Matter, Coalition For Education In The Outdoors (Ceo)

Research in Outdoor Education

The Coalition for Education in the Outdoors initiated a Research Task Force in 1990 with the purpose of supporting the conduct of research in the field and the dissemination of the results. The symposium at Bradford Woods and these proceedings offer evidence of the success of this task force. At the first symposium in 1992, there was general agreement that the symposium be a regular occurrence. The 1994, 1996 and 1998 Symposia and these Proceedings are indicators of the Coalition's continued support of research in outdoor education. Information on future events will be available through the Coalition office.

This article …

"A Sense Of Competence." Re-Conceptualizing Issues Of Competence For Women In Outdoor Education, T. A. Loeffler

Research in Outdoor Education

Competence development in outdoor education is a complex process that is shaped by gender-role socialization, learning environments, and by individual differences. Outdoor educators need to further their un­derstanding of this process so they can fully empower themselves and their students. Outdoor programs need to be designed to support the development of both compe­tence in outdoor skills and a sense of com­petence in these skills so program partici­pants will be able to fully participate in out­door activities. This abstract provides an introduction to the issue of competence de­velopment and further discussion of this topic is available in Loeffler (1997).

Self-Efficacy And Adventure Programs: Transferring Outcomes To Everyday Life, Todd Paxton, Leo H. Mcavoy

Research in Outdoor Education

In the field of outdoor education, the be­lief that outdoor adventure programs have the ability to increase the participants' self-efficacy has long been. used to defend program existence and to give more credi­bility to the discipline (Berman & Ber­man, 1994; Cockrell, 1991; Ewert, 1989; Miles & Priest, 1990). Although outdoor adventure programs are based on the as­sumption that a positive effect on indi­viduals' self-efficacy will carry over into the participants' lives after the course, there is little empirical research on this topic. In Hattie, Marsh, Neill, & Richards' (1997) meta-analysis of research on adventure programs, they point out the need …

Factors Affecting The Personal And Social Outcomes Of Organized Camping, Marta K. Moorman

Research in Outdoor Education

Summer camp holds a special place in the minds of children. thoughts of camp bring images of swimming, hiking, laughing and making new friends. According to Dustiri (1989), the secret of organized camping is that camp is on a finite, human scale. Anyone can make a difference in their own comer of the world. Another important aspect of camp (Dustin, 1994) is creating a place for children to be children, not ''minia­ture adults" (p.28). Chenery (1984) sees the essential contribution of camp as. providing children with a space for spiritual development. Many factors could influence what sort of experiences campers …

Outdoor Leader Self Awareness And Its Relationship To Co-Leaders' Perceptions Of Influence, Mark C. Wagstaff

Research in Outdoor Education

The purpose of this study was to ex­amine the relationship between outdoor leader self-awareness and co-leaders' per­ceptions of leader influence. Self­-awareness was based on the concept of self-actualization (Maslow, 1968, 1970, 1971). The construct of influence was operationalized as power (French & Ra­ven, 1959).

Validity And Reliability Of The Outdoor Education Practicum Questionnaire, Thomas J. Quinn

Research in Outdoor Education

The purpose of this study was to de­sign a reliable and valid instrument to measure perceived levels of anxiety of students en­rolled in a resident outdoor adventure educa­tion course, and to support a four factor model of perceived levels of anxiety of students in such programs. The four proposed factors or latent variables include: 1) Level of Control, 2) Program Inadequacies, 3) Personal Inade­quacies, and 4) Level of Comfort.

Validating Predictors To Determine Optimal Adventure In Whitewater Kayaking, Chris D. Jones, Steven J. Hollenhurst

Research in Outdoor Education

This study attempts to validate predictors of optimal adventure within an on-site whitewater kayaking setting using a modification of the Experience Sampling Method (ESM). Based on the flow theory and Martin and Priest's (1986) Adventure Experience Paradigm, it was expected that measures of challenge-skill and risk-competence would be correlated and predict indicators of an optimal or peak adventure experience. Additionally, it was expected that differences would be found in the levels of perceived challenge and risk according to the difficulty of river stages.

Pitfalls To Avoid In Adventure Education Outcome Research, Jim Sibthorp

Research in Outdoor Education

There has been much consensus that adventure education needs more theory building and theory testing, yet the meth­odological problems associated with much of the empirical and quantitative research are making this a daunting task. Future . research endeavors should (a) make com­parisons t}lat make sense, (b) use random assignment to experimental and con­trol/comparison groups, (c) use and report appropriate statistical procedures, ( d) take care to assess validity of research instru­ments for populations under study, (e) be willing to openly discuss project biases and limitations.

Efficacy Of A Tr Self-Esteem Program For Adolescents With Emotional Disturbances In A Treatment Setting, Ramon B. Zabriskie

Research in Outdoor Education

The purpose of this study was to determine the effectiveness of a modularized therapeutic recreation self-esteem program (that included outdoor adventure based components) provided for adolescents in a residential treatment center. Data were also collected on demographic variables including age, gender, and ethnicity. Subjects consisted of 112 adolescent patients ranging from ages 12 to 17, with an average length of stay of nine months to one year.

Learning Outdoor Recreation Skills In A Safe Place: Lessons From A Single Sex Program, Deb Jordan

Research in Outdoor Education

The primary intent of this study was to ascertain the reasons women participate in single-sex outdoor recreation workshops to learn outdoor recreation skills. A secondary issue was to identify reasons for participation in outdoor recreation activities.

Evaluating Short Term And Long Term Retention Of Experiences Associated With An Interpretive School Field Trip, Jim Sibthorp, Doug Knapp

Research in Outdoor Education

The strong evidence that an interpre­tive experience can promote initial knowl­edge retention sets up a more difficult ques­tion: how long do these students hold on to . this information? More precisely, what do the students remember one month or more after the initial treatment? Are these memo­ries associated with interpreter-derived pro­gram objectives or tertiary variables such as social or environmental factors? Can the memories from this experience impact a stu­dent's attitude toward the resource site? These are questions that are looked at through this pilot study evaluating short term and long term retention of experiences associated with an interpretive school …

The Future Of Research In Outdoor Education, Simon Priest

Research in Outdoor Education

Editor's Note: The CEO research sym­posia have always included working ses­sions on topics and issues of concern to participants. At the fourth symposium, the topic was no less than "the future of research in our field." Masterfully fa­cilitated by Simon Priest, symposium participants alternated between plenary sessions and smaller working groups and sought to develop agendas and strategies that might advance our field in important ways. Pleased with the re­sults, everyone asked Simon to prepare a summary, which he promptly did and distributed by e-mail. For- the record, we conclude these proceedings by printing Simon Priest's outline-style summary of this …

Controversial Issues In Adventure Education, Tom Potter, Scott Wurdinger

Research in Outdoor Education

The book, Controversial Issues in Adventure Education, will address some of the most controversial topics in the field of adventure education. It will consist of 15 questions set up in a debate format where adventure education professional will present opposing viewpoints on each issue.

Strengthening The Foundations Of Outdoor Education, Anderson B. Young, Leo H. Mcavoy

Research in Outdoor Education

A preface to the journal "Research in Outdoor Education," volume 3 is presented by the authors on behalf of the Coalition for Education in the Outdoors (CEO) Research Committee.

Front Matter, Coalition For Education In The Outdoors (Ceo)

Research in Outdoor Education

The Coalition for Education in the Outdoors initiated a Research Task Force in 1990 with the purpose of supporting the conduct of research in the field and the dissemination of the results. The symposium at Bradford Woods and these proceedings offer evidence of the success of this task force. At the first symposium in 1992, there was general agreement that the symposium be a regular occurrence. The 1994 and 1996 Symposia and these Proceedings are indicators of the Coalition's continued support of research in outdoor education. Information on future events will be available through the Coalition office.

This article includes …

Outdoor Education And Spirituality, Tom Smith

Research in Outdoor Education

The question at hand is that of researching the impact of outdoor recreational and educa­tional experiences on the spiritual development of the individual. I approach that question from the perspective of a facilitator of personal growth who has long advocated the methodolo­gies considered as experiential outdoor/chal­lenge/adventure education.

Outdoor Education And The Schools, Bert Horwood

Research in Outdoor Education

The research reported to gatherings spon­sored by the Coalition for Education in the Out­doors has had relatively little connection with school-based outdoor education. In this paper, I will explore the potentially fruitful interface between education in the outdoors and the schools. The exploration is influenced by the uncertainty of our times, and I have organized this report to reflect two views. One is that the social ferment of the mid-1990s is normal and that we can continue to conduct research in the way that Kuhn (1974) characterized as "normal science." The second view is that the social fab­ric of the …

Person-Place Engagement Among Recreation Visitors, Iris B. Wilson

Research in Outdoor Education

Leaders of groups participating in experien­tial programs in the outdoors, particularly in backcountry expeditions, can increase group management effectiveness and enhance personal benefit to participants by taking into account the various modes in which individuals engage themselves with the physical setting.

Responsible Environmental Behavior: Metaphoric Transference Of Minimum-Impact Ideology, J. Porter Hammitt, Wayne A. Freimund

Research in Outdoor Education

This abstract represents a thesis research project that studied changes in National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS) students' attitudes, intentions, and behavior, as they pertain to the environment, resulting from participation in NOLS' Wind River Wilderness course. It was hypothesized that an increase in these concerns would result from the metaphoric transference of minimum-impact ideology to daily life. Prominent theories from the fields of social psychology and environmental education relating attitudes, intentions, behavior, and other considerations were incorporated into the theo­retical framework of the study.

Providing An Authentic Wilderness Experience? Thinking Beyond The Wilderness Act Of 1964, William T. Borrie, Joseph W. Roggenbuck

Research in Outdoor Education

Six facets of a wilderness experience are suggested (oneness, humility, primitiveness, timelessness, soli­tude, and care) based on the writings of wilderness philosophers such as Henry David Thoreau and John Muir. In structuring our lessons in wilderness, we could do well to broaden our notion of wilderness be- yond the Wilderness Act.

Ethical Frameworks, Moral Practices And Outdoor Education, Karen M. Fox, Mick Lautt

Research in Outdoor Education

Discoveries and insights from quantum physics and chaos theory help create new metaphors about. ethical frameworks and moral practices in outdoor education. Using concepts such as fractals, fields, and strange attractors, we explore new ways to view research results, scholarly writings, and creative endeavors related to outdoor education. In addition, we evaluate four themes related to the present ethical discourse in outdoor education and sketch new directions for moral practice.

Group Development And Group Dynamics In Outdoor Education, Leo H. Mcavoy, Denise S. Mitten, L. Allison Stringer, James P. Steckhart, Kraig Sproles

Research in Outdoor Education

This paper presents an update of the research on group development and group dynamics in out­door education since the 1992 edition of these Proceedings. The research is presented within the six categories of individual and personal dimensions: group process and structure, group functions and tasks, leadership and power, environmental influences, and the impact of the group on the in­dividual. The paper includes a discussion of pertinent research in the fields of social work, com­munications, and management Specific recommendations are made for future research in outdoor education focusing on group development and dynamics.

Research In Outdoor Education: Our Place On The Porch, Alan Ewert

Research in Outdoor Education

This article is an edited version of the transcript from Dr. Ewert's videotaped presentation at the Symposium.

A Research Summary For Corporate Adventure Training (Cat) And Experience-Based Training And Development(Ebtd), Simon Priest

Research in Outdoor Education

This paper is a review of research in Corporate Adventure Training (CAT) and Experience-Based Training and Development (EBTD); a summary of a number of research studies in CAT and EBTD conducted through the Corporate Adventure Training Institute and other researchers; and, recommendations for future research in this growing field of outdoor education. The research results indicate corporate adventure training programs can be effective means of team building and other group development outcomes. The author gives a number of recommendations for future research including the need to investigate the pro­gram elements that contn'bute to overall program effectiveness.