Group status hierarchies can affect individuals' experiences (e.g., sense of belonging) and the group's outcomes (e.g., cohesion) in group-based outdoor adventure education programs. The study aimed to explore how specific interpersonal status processes, which we also call the "relational status game," within an expedition group, affect…

Background: Outdoor Adventure Education (OAE) predominantly centers learning around individual goal setting and experiences and has not traditionally elevated Indigenous Knowledge Systems (IKS). Purpose: This research focuses on understanding how student learning and inquiry is affected through OAE that emphasizes the importance of IKS as a…

This research note argues the outdoor adventure profession needs census research studies. Although conceptually simple, a census is a laborious process needing methodological guidance. This paper provides suggestions for conducting a census. Four previous outdoor adventure census projects are referenced. These, along with the U.S. Census, are used…

Over the past several decades outdoor adventure recreation programs (OARPs) have seen an increase in popularity on university campuses across the country. This study used the Leisure Motivation Scale (LMS) developed, to measure motives for participation; that is, the study investigated college students' motivations to participate in OARPs.…

Challenge, adventure, and risk in outdoor adventurous education (OAE) have long been recognised as foundational components in the framing of valuable and transformational experiences for participants. Whilst the literature has identified the benefits of these types of learning experiences, what has remained largely absent is an interrogation of…

Adventure-based teaching can foster social and personal growth yet can scare and cause long-lasting anxiety in some group members. This study examined the effects of a simple distraction to lower stress levels during an approaching scary event. Forty-eight males (M = 20.2 years) were randomly assigned to one of four groups. The stressor involved…

An argument can be made that integrating mindfulness practices (MPs) into Outdoor Adventure (OA) programming can help students develop and expand on a variety of social and emotional attributes, such as stress reduction, awareness of the present moment, relationship skills, and maintaining psychosocial equilibrium. However, there is a paucity of…

Considerable research has demonstrated the presence of masculine norms in outdoor adventure education. The resulting values and practices function to ostracize or devalue women leaders, a dynamic that often goes unnoticed by men in the field. Although women's and men's perspectives on their experiences have been studied, to date no research…

Despite their aim to foster belongingness, a small percentage of incoming college students (1%-2%) report feeling excluded (not belonging) during their outdoor orientation program. Feelings of exclusion are often highly consequential to a person transitioning to college. This study explores the experiences of students reporting low levels of…

Despite the recognized positive effects attributed to outdoor adventure education programs, few studies have examined the mechanisms involved therein, particularly with regard to factors that influence group process. The purpose of this qualitative research was to examine an outdoor adventure education program utilizing Yalom's helping factors in…

This article considers the epistemological chain in adventure sports coaching through personal experiences of undergraduate adventure students using semi-structured interviews and qualitative thematic analysis. Findings showed many observable practices utilised by adventure sport coaches were epistemologically sophisticated. This included…

Locus of Control (LOC) is measured by a brief survey designed to determine an 'internal' or 'external' locus. Internal LOC signifies ownership of the consequences of one's actions. Individuals with a more internal LOC tend to have higher determents of positive mental health. This study investigated the impact on the LOC of university students…

This study aims to evaluate the effect of adventure education programs on resilience enhancement among first-year undergraduate students. The researchers designed adventure education courses using a benefits-based management activity planning model. An analysis is conducted using quasi-experimental and pre- and post-test non-equivalent group…

There is increasing pressure on academic staff to enhance the graduate capabilities of students, rendering them employable as morally informed global citizens, in addition to enhancing their disciplinary knowledge, reflective practice and understanding. The BA Outdoor Adventure Education degree programme at Plymouth Marjon University, includes the…

This qualitative study considered how adventure education leaders can utilize the natural outdoor environment combined with appropriate leadership techniques to catalyze spiritual experiences among participants. Considerations included the impact of outdoor adventure best practices as well as the effects of situational leadership behaviors,…