Leisure Studies Commons^™

From The Outside Looking In: A Response To The Hijacking Of Recreational Therapy, Daniel L. Dustin, Kelly S. Bricker, Keri A. Schwab

Keri Schwab

Where does Dr. Austin want his line of thought to lead and what does he expect from the larger field of parks and recreation in return? Is he after reassurance that recreational therapy is valued by the rest of us? Does he want recreation therapists to be acknowledged as the closest thing we have in our midst to medical doctors? Or does he want recreational therapy to disassociate itself from the field of parks and recreation altogether? If recreation therapists want to be viewed as distinct and different from the rest of us, if it is autonomy they are after, …

Engaging Youth In Lifelong Outdoor Adventure Activities Through A Nontraditional Public School Physical Education Program, Keri Schwab, Daniel L. Dustin

Keri Schwab

Engaging Youth in Lifelong Outdoor Adventure Activities through a Nontraditional Public School Physical Education Program

Commercial Mythmaking And The Gaelic Athletic Association: Exploring Irish Men’S Identity Work Within Influential Social Networks, Deirdre Duffy

Conference papers

This paper explores young men’s engagement with Irish sporting and cultural organisation, the Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA), to show how the interrelations and influences of one’s social network or human interdependencies all serve as potential cues on which individuals learn to construct their identity projects. This research engages Foucauldian theory to consider the effects of power emanating from multiple sources (to include the influence of peers, family, community, mass media and social institutions) on the individual. By looking at the intricacies of mundane everyday practices, such as the participation in sport, allows a better understanding of how individuals actually come …

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

Research in Outdoor Education

The Coalition for Education in the Outdoors is a nonprofit network of outdoor and environmental education centers, nature centers, conservation and recreation organizations, outdoor education and experiential education associations, institutions of higher learning, public and private schools, fish and wildlife agencies, and businesses that share a mission—the support and furtherance of outdoor education and its goals.

This article includes the Editor, Associate Editor and Reviewers for Volume 12 as well as the Table of Contents.

Foreword, Alan Ewert

Research in Outdoor Education

The article offers information related to papers that were published in the publication "Research in Outdoor Education" Volume 12, as well as acknowledging the efforts of all who contributed to the publication.

People In Nature: Relational Discourse For Outdoor Educators, Thomas Beery

Research in Outdoor Education

Outdoor educators are concerned about a perceived human disconnection from nature. There is awareness of a lack of human affiliation, connection, or identity with nonhuman nature and its impact on attitudes and behaviors. This essay raises the possibility that despite our concern, we may contribute toward this disconnection via language that supports a separation of the natural and the cultural. Our ability to separate ourselves conceptually from the rest of nature may be partially to blame for environmental degradation, therefore challenging the nature-culture dichotomy is both useful and constructive. This essay will present examples of how outdoor educators can …

Group Social Climate And Individual Peer Interaction: Exploring Complex Relationships On Extended Wilderness Courses, Benjamin J. Mirkin

Research in Outdoor Education

This study explored how adolescents' perception of the social climate on wilderness expedition courses related to changes in how they approached peer interactions. Contrary to the hypothesis, on average, their orientation toward adaptive peer interaction decreased (n=251) from pre- to postcourse test. The individual level predictors of change in peer interactions were student's perception of group cohesion, task orientation, instructor control; and at the group level, instructor perception of the fun or playfulness of the course, as well as the course make-up (i.e., having participants who have been on previous similar experiences). This research contributes to knowledge of …

Exploring The Social Impacts Of A Summer Camp For Youth With Tourette Syndrome, Michael Griswold, C. Boyd Hegarty, Chris Harrist, Nate Trauntvein, David Griswold

Research in Outdoor Education

Although a wealth of research exists documenting the positive social outcomes promoted by summer camps, research specifically examining youths with Tourette Syndrome (TS) within the camp context is lacking. This study utilized a phenomenological approach to explore the social impacts of a weeklong camp specifically for youths with TS, involving focus groups with 18 campers aged 10–16, interviews with 10 staff members, and participant observations compiled by the researcher. Multiple themes and sub-themes concerning the social impacts of the camp experience were identified, including (a) relatedness (not alone and self-assurance); (b) social development (friendships, optimism, educational experience, and bullying); (c) …

The Development And Scaling Of The Teaching Outdoor Education Self-Efficacy Scale, Scott Schumann, Jim Sibthorp

Research in Outdoor Education

Outdoor educator teaching self-efficacy beliefs are important to the process of teaching in the outdoors. Errors in these self-beliefs, which are one's judgments of ability to successfully perform necessary teaching tasks, carry consequences for student learning and safety in outdoor contexts. This paper presents two studies conducted to develop a teaching outdoor education self-efficacy scale (TOE-SES). In Study 1, data were collected from 303 participants in collegiate outdoor programs. Exploratory Factor Analysis reduced a 49-item pool to a 23-item scale comprised of 5 subscales. In Study 2, data were collected from 200 National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS) instructor and outdoor …

Energy Expenditure In The Backcountry, Mandy Pojha, Cara Ocobock, John Gookin

Research in Outdoor Education

The study of energy economics, known as energetics, has played a key role in shaping human ecology, evolution, and performance (Leonard & Ulijaszek, 2002). Research on energetics gives insight into how humans interact with their environment and how differences in body shape and size can impact that interaction. This understanding is particularly insightful for humans living in the backcountry for extended periods of time. Selecting food types and amounts to meet high-energy demands in the backcountry setting is a challenge, because energy demand models have primarily been based on lab studies that, in hindsight, appear to routinely underestimate energy demands …

A Longitudinal Study Of Rural Youth Involvement In Outdoor Activities Throughout Adolescence: Exploring Social Capital As A Factor In Community-Level Outcomes, Jayson Seaman, Erin Hiley Sharp, Sean Mclaughlin, Corinna Tucker, Karen Vangundy, Cesar Rebellon

Research in Outdoor Education

This study examined youth participation in both organized and unstructured outdoor activities throughout adolescence, in a rural region in the northeastern United States. Survey data were collected at 7^th, 8^th, 10^th, and 12^th grade from 186 respondents across the region and was analyzed explore the relationship between antecedent predictors, outdoor activity participation, and outcomes related to developmental and educational achievement. Higher outdoor activity involvement was linked with positive outcomes but was also associated with other known predictors of development success including parents' educational level, marital status, and involvement in future planning. The concept …

Travel And Recreation: The Economics Of "We Like It Here!", Norma P. Nickerson

Institute for Tourism and Recreation Research Publications

Outlook for 2014 and Review of 2013.

Whitefish Trail Visitor Study, Christine Oschell

Institute for Tourism and Recreation Research Publications

The purpose of this study was to provide the Whitefish Legacy Partners with information about the users of the Whitefish Trail. This includes how and why they are using the trail, the money they spent in Whitefish when they used the trail and how satisfied they were with aspects of the trail.

Gardiner, Mt - Visitor Perceptions, Image, And Spending, 2013, Meredith S. Berry, Norma P. Nickerson

Institute for Tourism and Recreation Research Publications

This study assesses the image and perceptions of Gardiner by visitors as well as their reasons for visiting Gardiner and spending patterns within the town. Visitors to Gardiner were primarily in the town to eat and drink, shop, drive through and get fuel; average daily spending was $178. Visitors, both in open-ended and structured responses noted that Gardiner was a friendly and welcoming community, and a fun place. Respondents also believed, however, that there was room for improvement with services available such as food and shopping opportunities. Visitors have many opinions about Gardiner, some positive and some negative. Gardiner is …

An Exploratory Examination Of Families Engaged In An Adventure Running Kids Program, Heather Isnor

Theses and Dissertations (Comprehensive)

Academics and practitioners have only just begun to delve into the health benefits of outdoor activities in the last few years. In general, the forested settings of these activities have been documented to decrease stress levels, increase recovery rates from disease, and lessen the symptoms of mental illnesses (Kuo & Faber Taylor, 2004). It is believed that the natural environment acts as a setting where humans can engage in physical activity, aesthetic experiences, and social interactions that, in turn, release stress and lead to improved well-being (Bird, 2012). Currently, however, children are experiencing limited exposure to nature and which has …

Simulated Learning In Musculoskeletal Assessment And Rehabilitation Education: Comparing The Effect Of A Simulation-Based Learning Activity With A Peer-Based Learning Activity, Mark Hecimovich, Simone Volet

Faculty Publications

Background: Musculoskeletal disorders and diseases are leading causes of pain, physical disability, and doctor visits throughout the world. Health professionals must be trained to assess, treat through rehabilitation and monitor patients with these disorders. Yet, due to overcrowded curricula, some health education programs struggle to accommodate more than minimal training in musculoskeletal conditions. Consequently, educators in these professions must consider how traditional instruction could be complemented effectively to enhance students’ preparation for the diverse musculoskeletal disorders and pathologies they may encounter. The purpose of this study was to explore the benefits that can be obtained from laboratory practice in musculoskeletal …

Analysis Of Touring Cyclists: Impacts, Needs And Opportunities For Montana, Norma P. Nickerson, Jake Jorgenson, Meredith Berry, Jane Kwenye

Institute for Tourism and Recreation Research Publications

The purpose of this study was to understand the niche market of touring cyclists and to examine the potential for cycle tourism in the state of Montana. Results indicate a strong potential for cycle tourism in the state of Montana. Multi-day cyclists are generally satisfied while in Montana, but improvements are needed. Touring cyclists fit directly in line with Montana’s geotourism marketing brand pillars.

Development And Psychometric Evaluation Of Scales To Measure Professional Confidence In Manual Medicine: A Rasch Measurement Approach, Mark D. Hecimovich, Irene Styles, Simone E. Volet

Faculty Publications

Background: Health professionals in athletic training, chiropractic, osteopathy, and physiotherapy fields, require high-level knowledge and skills in their assessment and management of patients. This is important when communicating with patients and applying a range of manual procedures. Prior to embarking on professional practice, it is imperative to acquire optimal situation-specific levels of self-confidence for a beginner practitioner in these areas. In order to foster this professional self-confidence within the higher education context, it is necessary to have valid and reliable scales that can measure and track levels and how they change. This study reports on the development and psychometric analysis …

A Qualitative Assessment Of Virginia Beach Dog Park Users, Edwin Gómez, John Hunting

Human Movement Sciences Faculty Publications

The purpose of this paper is to look at a Virginia Beach, Virginia (VA) dog park as a case study exploring the benefits and perceptions of dog parks by its users. The qualitative methodology follows an earlier dog park study by Gómez (2013) in Norfolk, VA. Our findings indicated three major themes: (a) dog exercise, (b) socialization for dogs (and humans), and (c) safe off-leash place. Findings from Virginia Beach are compared to earlier findings in Norfolk.

Statewide Nonresident Travel Survey: Survey Methods And Data Analysis, Kara Grau

Institute for Tourism and Recreation Research Publications

The Statewide Nonresident Travel Survey is conducted throughout Montana, and the resulting data are analyzed and made available to the public on the ITRR website on a quarterly basis. Statewide visitation and traveler spending estimates, as well as an analysis of the contribution of nonresident travel to Montana's economy, are published annually. This research note provides information regarding the survey methods and data analysis process.