The Life Significance of an Outward Bound Expedition: A Retrospective Study Up to 50 Years Later

Daniel, Brad; Bobilya, Andrew J.; Faircloth, W. Brad

doi:10.18666/jorel-2022-11597

Cited by 3 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 26 publications

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“…Respondents pointed to the OOP as an access point for people who don’t have the opportunity to make those connections and look for opportunities to be in natural settings at this point in their lives. This resonates with Daniel et al's (2022) contention that participation in expedition experiences often generate long-term, positive effects such as appreciation for nature and connection to place.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 64%

“…The few studies that have assessed the long-term outcomes of expeditions, including OOPs, have examined if and how participants have transferred what they’ve learned to other aspects of their lives and if these lessons are short-lived or long-lasting (Daniel et al, 2022). The purpose of this study was to examine the important longitudinal “lessons learned” from participating in an OOP related to social connections and community-building, mental health and well-being, personal growth and development, and connection to nature.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

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“My Favourite Self:” A Retrospective Analysis of an Outdoor Orientation Program

O’Connell,

Lathrop,

Pilato

2024

Journal of Experiential Education

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Background: The short-term impacts of outdoor orientation programs (OOPs) have been documented in the literature for close to 40 years. While there is a fair amount of research examining the immediate effects of OOPs, there are relatively few studies exploring long-term impacts. Purpose: This study examined the important longitudinal “lessons learned” from participating in an OOP. Methodology/Approach: This study utilized a retrospective qualitative approach and employed the Most Significant Change technique to understand meaningful lessons learned. Alumni from an OOP participated in semi-structured interviews. Thematic analyses included open coding, focused coding, and axial coding. Findings/Conclusions: Primary themes that emerged from the coding process included community and social connections, mental health and well-being and environmental appreciation and value of nature. Participants reported learning valuable lessons related to community building, coping, stress relief, resiliency and thriving, and connection with nature. Implications: Results provide evidence supporting positive long-term effects of OOPs. A particular highlight is how participants noted the OOP helped shape their “favourite self” years after their university experience. Researchers and practitioners can use these results to inform OOP curricula and to include in program marketing and lobbying efforts.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 64%

mentioning

confidence: 99%

“My Favourite Self:” A Retrospective Analysis of an Outdoor Orientation Program

O’Connell,

Lathrop,

Pilato

2024

Journal of Experiential Education

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Exploring the significance of early life outdoor experiences: a scoping review of retrospective outdoor methods

D’Angelo,

Ritchie,

Priest

et al. 2024

Journal of Adventure Education and Outdoor Learning

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“Confident, Supportive, and Capable”: A Retrospective Analysis of an Outdoor Orientation Program

O’Connell,

Lathrop,

Pilato

2024

Journal of Experiential Education

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Background: Initial effects of participation in outdoor orientation programs (OOPs) have been well-documented. However, there are few studies that examine longitudinal outcomes. Purpose: This study explored the long-term effects of engaging in an OOP. Methodology/Approach: This study employed the Most Significant Change technique and implemented a retrospective qualitative approach to understand the meaningful lessons participants learned as well as long-term outcomes they perceived as being important today. Alumni from an OOP (both participants and leaders) were questioned using semistructured interviews. Thematic analyses, using a constant comparison data analysis method, included open coding, focused coding, and axial coding. Findings/Conclusions: Major themes that emerged included understanding self, building community, and belonging to nature. Participants reported long-term impacts related to coping, stress relief, resiliency and thriving, relationship skills, sense of community, and environmental appreciation. The overarching theme of health and well-being was described as a long-term impact by participants. Implications: Results provide confirmation of positive long-term effects of OOPs and outdoor expeditions. Researchers and practitioners can use these results to better market programs to potential participants and parents, demonstrate the efficacy of OOPs to stakeholder groups, and inform staff training and program curricula.

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The Life Significance of an Outward Bound Expedition: A Retrospective Study Up to 50 Years Later

Cited by 3 publications

References 26 publications

“My Favourite Self:” A Retrospective Analysis of an Outdoor Orientation Program

“My Favourite Self:” A Retrospective Analysis of an Outdoor Orientation Program

Exploring the significance of early life outdoor experiences: a scoping review of retrospective outdoor methods

“Confident, Supportive, and Capable”: A Retrospective Analysis of an Outdoor Orientation Program

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