Adventures in Creating an Outdoor Leadership Challenge Course for an Emba Program

2005 ◽  
Vol 29 (2) ◽  
pp. 284-300 ◽  
Author(s):  
William Judge
Keyword(s):  
Outdoor Leadership ◽  
Challenge Course

Outdoor Leadership ‐ The Last Male Domain?

2002 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. 85-94 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nina Saunders ◽  
Bob Sharp
Keyword(s):  
Outdoor Leadership

Effects of a Low-Element Challenge Course on Abstinence Self-Efficacy and Group Cohesion

2011 ◽  
Vol 22 (2) ◽  
pp. 151-158 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jamie M. Clem ◽  
Thomas E. Smith ◽  
Kristin V. Richards
Keyword(s):  
Outcome Measures ◽  
Self Efficacy ◽  
Group Cohesion ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Chemically Dependent ◽  
Challenge Course ◽  
Self Confidence ◽  
Therapeutic Value ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Group Unity

Substance abuse researchers identify self-efficacy and group cohesion as important components in alcohol and other drug-dependency treatment. Objectives: The purpose of this single-group, pretest–posttest study is to explore the therapeutic value of a challenge course intervention on the self-efficacy and group cohesion of nine chemically dependent, adult females. Methods: Data were collected using two validated outcome measures administered before and after the intervention. Focus groups provided insight into the experiences of participants and were examined using manifest and latent theme analysis. Results: Findings indicate statistically significant improvements on both outcome measures with medium to large effect sizes. Several themes were identified including group unity, trust, interpersonal growth, and self-confidence. Conclusions: Suggestions for practice and future research are provided.

The Influence of Challenge Course Participation on Moral and Ethical Reasoning

2002 ◽  
Vol 25 (2) ◽  
pp. 278-280 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carol A. Smith ◽  
Sharon E. Strand ◽  
Camille J. Bunting
Keyword(s):  
College Students ◽  
Problem Solving ◽  
University Students ◽  
Moral Reasoning ◽  
Ethical Reasoning ◽  
Defining Issues Test ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Challenge Course ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
The Impact

This study investigated the impact of a 15-week outdoor experiential program on the moral reasoning of college students. One hundred and ninety-six university students volunteered to participate in this study, which utilized Rest's (1979) Defining Issues Test (DIT). The DIT investigates how individuals arrive at making decisions, and formulates a “P” (Principled moral reasoning) score for each subject. The groups were found to be homogeneous in moral reasoning at the pretest (outdoor experiential x = 36.07; control x = 33.08; F = 0.05). There was a statistically significant difference on the posttest scores of the outdoor experiential program participants (x = 40.98) in relation to the control group (x = 34.14) (F = 3.84). The results of this study demonstrated that the outdoor experiential program participants were significantly different from the control group at posttest. It is postulated that even though improved moral reasoning was not a stated objective, the outdoor experiential students, through front-loading, reflection, critical thinking, problem solving, and adherence to the full value contract, did enhance their level of moral reasoning. Through the combined modeling of behavior and discussion, changes in behavior can occur. The nature of outdoor experiential programs seems well suited to positively influence moral and ethical reasoning.

Are Challenge (Ropes) Courses an Effective Tool? A Meta-Analysis

2008 ◽  
Vol 31 (2) ◽  
pp. 111-135 ◽  
Author(s):  
H. Lee Gillis ◽  
Elizabeth Speelman
Keyword(s):  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Team Building ◽  
Effect Sizes ◽  
Ropes Course ◽  
Challenge Course ◽  
Study Characteristics ◽  
Standardized Mean Difference ◽  
Ropes Courses ◽  
Difference Effect

This study reports the results of a meta-analysis of 44 studies that examined the impacts of participation in challenge (ropes) course activities. Overall, a medium standardized mean difference effect size was found (d = 0.43). Effect sizes were calculated for various study characteristics, including demographics and outcome. Higher effects were found for adult groups (d = 0.80) and for studies measuring family functioning (d = 0.67). Studies with therapeutic (d = 0.53) or developmental foci (d = 0.47) had higher effect sizes than those with educational foci (d = 0.17). Higher effect sizes for group effectiveness (d = 0.62) affirmed the use of challenge course experiences for team-building purposes. Implications for further research include the importance of recording detailed program design information, selecting appropriate instrumentation, and including follow-up data.

The Back-to-Nature Crowd

2021 ◽  
pp. 195-240
Author(s):  
Phoebe S.K. Young
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Awareness ◽  
High Tech ◽  
Popular Belief ◽  
Outdoor Leadership ◽  
Personal Freedom ◽  
Social Contracts ◽  
Self Discovery ◽  
1960S And 1970S ◽  
The 1960S ◽  
Minimum Impact

By the 1960s and 1970s, generational dynamics and modern environmentalism fostered new camping experiences that led away from amenity-rich and resource-heavy family campgrounds. Youth who came of age in this era shaped new forms of camping to support interests in self-discovery, countercultural values, and environmental awareness. Organizers and participants of the National Outdoor Leadership School, launched in 1965, began to link backcountry camping with countercultural mindsets, personal freedom, and connection with nature. In so doing they experimented with new social contracts in microcosm, and after 1970 increasingly began to align their mission with environmentalist agendas. Echoing the popular belief that the personal is political, many began to embrace specific forms of camping like backpacking as a way of expressing their identity and viewpoints. The new popularity of minimum-impact forms of camping in turn generated a growing market for high-tech outdoor gear intended to enhance experience and advance conservation.

Outdoor Leaders' Emotional Intelligence and Transformational Leadership

2006 ◽  
Vol 28 (3) ◽  
pp. 222-242 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aya Hayashi ◽  
Alan Ewert
Keyword(s):  
Emotional Intelligence ◽  
Transformational Leadership ◽  
Social Desirability ◽  
Positive Relationship ◽  
Outdoor Leadership ◽  
Outdoor Leaders ◽  
Multifactor Leadership ◽  
Outdoor Experience

This study explored the concept of outdoor leadership from the perspectives of emotional intelligence and transformational leadership. Levels of emotional intelligence, multifactor leadership, outdoor experience, and social desirability were examined using 46 individuals designated as outdoor leaders. The results revealed a number of unique characteristics of outdoor leaders' emotional intelligence and leadership, including contributions of past outdoor experience to the development of emotional intelligence as well as transformational leadership. In addition, there was a moderate and positive relationship between emotional intelligence and transformational leadership.

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