Adventure therapy (AT) is defined as "the prescriptive use of adventure experiences provided by mental health professionals, often conducted in natural settings, that kinesthetically engage clients on cognitive, affective, and behavioral levels". Despite an increase in research and evaluation in recent years examining the relative…

Outdoor adventure activities have been used to facilitate a variety of positive outcomes. However, the practical challenge of collecting data in the field and a heavy reliance on self-report data render it difficult to understand the process of the experience. This study examined the association between self-reported valence and arousal and…

The purpose of this study was to qualitatively explore the experiences of families who participated in an adventure running program (ARP) in Canada. Adventure running is a unique sport that combines navigation and running in a forested setting. Six parents (four males, two females) and five children (two females, three males) were interviewed.…

Physical inactivity and academic underperformance in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) subjects are complex youth issues requiring multifaceted solutions. This exploratory study investigated a novel outdoor learning approach to addressing both issues through an outdoor adventure education (OAE) STEM education programme…

Means-end theory was used to analyze differences in outcomes from original interviews and follow-up interviews occurring four years after Outward Bound (OB) and National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS) 2006 course participation. In 2006, a semi-structured, in-person interview was conducted after participants (N = 510) completed their course. In…

Heuristics--cognitive shortcuts used in decision-making events--have been paradoxically praised for their contribution to decision-making efficiency and prosecuted for their contribution to decision-making error (Gigerenzer & Gaissmaier, 2011; Gigerenzer, Todd, & ABC Research Group, 1999; Kahneman, 2011; Kahneman, Slovic, & Tversky,…

From an examination of the current textbooks and literature concerning judgment and decision-making models used in outdoor adventure leadership, it is easy to see that they are still deeply rooted in the classical decision-making theory. In this article, I will (a) outline the importance of good judgment and decision making in an outdoor adventure…

Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) has increasingly taken on importance around the world, in part due to the growing awareness of environmental concerns such as climate change, and in part due to a challenge set forth by the United Nations Decade of Education for Sustainable Development (2005-2014) to integrate the principles, values, and…

Sail training voyages have been shown to enhance self-constructs and inter-personal and intra-personal skills. It is suggested through this case-study approach with twelve 14 year-old crew participants that such an experience contributes towards well-being and character development in emerging adulthood. An audit of voyage-based experiences…

Background: Key findings from the literature on treatment interventions with youth with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) indicate that the most successful approaches allow frequent opportunities for uncontrived social interactions and are customizable to the needs of individuals and the group. Adventure therapy meets these criteria while providing…

Sometimes environmental philosophers write only for other environmental philosophers, and their insights on the nature-human relationship do not reach environmental educators and adventure programmers. This article investigates one aspect of environmental philosophy and the differences between anthropocentric and ecocentric thinking, and applies…

This paper describes a quasi-experimental crossover trial of an outdoor adventure program for Year 9 school students in Australia. Previous studies have reported a range of positive outcomes of outdoor camps and adventure programs, but cautious interpretation of some claims may be warranted due to limitations in research methods. This study…

This study discusses teacher preparation in relation to encouraging and empowering future teachers to appreciate the potential and value of adopting physical literacy as the goal of physical education (PE). The study addresses the issue of the role of schools and teacher training programs in developing the next generation of PE teachers entering…

A key challenge when teaching physics is to equip students with the ability to apply the concepts to real-life situations. Students do not learn by information alone; they are affected by their environment, their social setting, how their body and mind feel and the interactions between these different aspects. This may explain why wild places and…

Risk is a complex component of outdoor adventure education (OAE) that can both enhance and diminish meaningful learning experiences. Outdoor professionals are searching for the balance between providing a high level of safety and challenging students through outdoor adventure activities. This case study of Outward Bound New Zealand (OBNZ) utilised…