The purpose of this study is to compare a centre-based adventure programme (CBAP) with an expedition-based wilderness programme (EBWP) with regard to personal effectiveness. In comparing these two programmes, this study made use of a crossover research design with data collection according to DE Vos. Participants were 28 third-year students (14 men and 14 women), aged 20 to 23 ( = 21.6 ± 0.7) from the Northwest University (Potchefstroom Campus) in South Africa. Both interviews and questionnaires (n = 28) were used to gather comprehensive data. Results indicated medium-(d = 0.5) to-practically significant (d ≥ 0.8) changes in most of the ROPELOC (Review of Personal Effectiveness and Locus of Control) variables. Each programme offered unique benefits. The EBWP resulted mainly in improvements in terms of the personal aspects of the ROPELOC, whereas the CBAP mainly delivered in terms of its social aspects. Even though both programmes seem to be beneficial for the facilitation of personal effectiveness, each programme should be selected according to the envisaged outcomes and intervention criteria. For the improvement of personal effectiveness, the EBWP seems to be of relatively more value -mainly on account of the impact of the wilderness environment. This translates into unique experiences of solitude, privacy and freedom of choice, spiritual upliftment, and restoration.

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Outdoor team building programmes are becoming more popular in the corporate world in order to enhance organisational effectiveness. However, together with this growing popularity there is a certain amount of scepticism that exists around the effectiveness of these programmes. The purpose of this study is to determine the differences between a wilderness expedition and the better known centre-based team building programmes with regard to personal effectiveness. Studied were 35 students (n=17 men and n=18 women), aged 18-22 from the North-West University (Potchefstroomcampus). The research instrument used (ROPELOC) is a questionnaire developed and piloted by Richards et al. (2002). This questionnaire measures personal effectiveness through seven major components and was administered in the form of a quantitative pre-and post-tests to all three groups (two experimental groups and control group). Results showed that only one practical significant (d≥0.8) difference occurred between the two experimental groups. Based on the amount of pre-and post-test scores this study recommends a centre-based team building program in order to improve personal effectiveness. However, very valuable information was found in the descriptive results. These include feelings of awe and wonder for the natural environment, solitude and privacy.