A census of outdoor orientation programs at four-year colleges in the United States (original) (raw)
Related papers
The Third Census of Outdoor Orientation Programs in the United States, 2019
Journal of Outdoor Recreation, Education, and Leadership
This study investigated the number of outdoor orientation programs—high-impact transition programs for college students—in the United States. Researchers used a census methodology to identify the number of outdoor orientation programs existing at accredited, residential, bachelor’s degree-granting colleges and universities within the United States (N = 1,217). Researchers found 212 outdoor orientation programs (OOPs), representing 17% of the identified colleges, the largest number of OOPs in the history of these programs. A follow-up survey found OOPs were notably aligned in risk management procedures (medical training of leaders, tracking incidents, etc.) and programmatic similarities (use of name games, problem-solving and initiative activities). Programs diverged in the use of curricular activities (i.e., solo experiences) and the specifics of risk management (i.e., physician oversight). The COVID-19 pandemic led to 83% of programs being cancelled in 2021. A question remains as t...
Journal of Outdoor Recreation, Education, and Leadership, 2011
This study expands upon a previous study that found significant differences among students' First Year Experience course (FYE) learning outcomes, as measured by the First Year Initiative Survey (FYI) . One group of students received content in an adventure-based class prior to fall, whereas a second group received content in a classroom during the first 10-weeks of the semester. The adventure FYE reported higher or equivalent scores to the traditional FYE group on the FYI's fifteen factors. This study focuses on understanding why differences occurred and was guided by the two survey outcomes with the highest effect sizes (Improved connections with peers and Improved knowledge of wellness). Researchers coded 237 post-trip essays in an exploratory sequential design . The adventure setting appears to foster increased trust among participants. This trust was reported to lead to more in-depth personal discussions about curricular topics, thereby increasing FYI scores.
2012
Many universities are now offering new type of freshman orientation. These Wilderness Orientation Programs offer a unique opportunity to help incoming students transition and adjust into the university setting. Thus far the literature has used pre- and post-test comparisons across many outcomes. Post-program scores indicate that participants have benefitted from these programs. This study uses qualitative data to identify most effective features in wilderness orientation program. This program was run at a public regional comprehensive university in a state in the Southeast. Participants were interviewed on their past experience. The primary goal was to identify reoccurring themes in the participants’ experiences.
Overview of the Current Landscape of Outdoor Programs in Higher Education
Journal of Outdoor Recreation, Education, and Leadership
Recent recognition of the growth and significance outdoor recreation industry indicates a need for outdoor-focused academic programs in higher education, yet broader trends affecting higher education may especially impact these programs. Our census methodology identified 128 undergraduate outdoor academic programs; more than previously identified in the literature. The most common higher education institutions to have an outdoor academic program are public, doctoral granting, and located in cities and in the southeast. However, those most likely to have an outdoor academic program are public and doctoral-granting, but are located in rural areas and the Rocky Mountain region. This research provides the foundation for future work which seeks to better understand the unique characteristics of these programs as well as to identify trends in program introduction and elimination.
A Wilderness and Community Building New Student Orientation Program
1991
This paper describes a new student orientation program at the University of Puget Sound (Washington) that involves an outdoor adventure program. New students entering the University embark on a 3-day outdoor adventure program called "Passages," as part of their orientation experience during the wriek prior to the beginning of the fall semester. The class of approximately 700 students is divided in half. While one group is on Passages, the other group remains on campus engaged in academic advising, registration and a 2-day seminar on writing, reading, and critical thinking called "Prelude." At the mid-point the groups switch. Goals for Passages focus on community building, providing transition from high school to c:ollege, and orienting students to the Pacific Northwest outdoor environment. Students can choose between a small group backpacking trip or a base camp experience. Passages leaders are current University of Puget Sound students who receive extensive leadership training over a 3-month period. Students in the program show decreases in a number of psychological symptoms. Participating students show increases in personal, academic, and total self-efficacy from pretest to posttest. This paper contains extensive appendices: (1) Appendix A contains a Passages 3-day schedule; (2) Appendix B provides suggestions for group discussions to be used by group leaders; (3) Appendix C is a backpacking leader pre-training questionnaire used to determine training needs; and (4) Appendix D lists backpacking leader competencies. (KS)
Wilderness orientation programs
2011
Introduction Wilderness orientation programs (sometimes referred to as outdoor orientation programs) use adventure programming for incoming college/university students to aid students’ adjustment to college. These experiences usually occur in the days or weeks immediately prior to the first semester of the students’ college coursework. They are typically conducted in a multi-day format in outdoor wilderness settings, although some recent versions of these programs have begun to incorporate the use of artificial adventure formats, such as challenge courses, climbing walls, and urban adventure experiences.
Passages: Helping College Students Matriculate through Outdoor Adventure
1989
Since 1985, freshman entering the University of Puget Sound in Tacoma, Washington, have embarked on a 3-day outdoor adventure program as part of their orientation experience prior to their first semester. Most of the 700-800 freshmen entering the university participate in the program titled "Passages." While half of the group is on Passages, the other half remains on campus, engaged in academic advising, registration, and a seminar on writing, reading, and critical thinking. Then the groups switch. About 20 percent of the students choose to go backpacking, while the remaining students select a base-camp experience for their Passages experience. Upperclassmen that serve as Passages leaders receive leadership training for 3 months. Training sessions cover the goals of the program, how to lead group discussions and handle various problems, conservation and environmental ethics, first aid, and CPR. Freshmen evaluatir'ns of the program indicate that the experience increases self-sufficiency and helps develop a sense of community among the students. There has been a significantly higher rate of freshman-to-sophomore retention and a lower rate of academic probation at the end of the freshman year since Passages began, compared to previous years. The program also has a significant positive impact on student leaders. An appendix outlines program activities. (KS)