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A retrospective study of the importance of a mandatory outdoor experience program at university

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Abstract

Outdoor adventure education programs often feature common elements, such as backcountry settings, small group sizes, and different levels of challenges. A mandatory outdoor experience program (MOEP), offered at a Canadian university for nearly 50 years, involved a three- to four-day wilderness canoe excursion. Research related to outdoor orientation programs offered at universities has identified a number of positive outcomes related to personal growth, sense of belonging, and improved academic performance. However, little is known about longer-term impacts, and how alumni perceive the experience years later. The purpose of this study was to address this gap by providing insight into alumnis’ perspectives of the importance of their participation in a MOEP. This mixed methods study comprised data collection using an online self-report questionnaire with a combination of closed- and open-ended questions to explore the importance of the MOEP as a student, and in life after graduation. Data analysis involved: (1) two thematic analyses of the reasons for importance of the MOEP; and (2) two regression analyses using visual analogue scales of MOEP importance. There were 167 respondents, and the majority provided positive reflections of the importance of their experiences that occurred from 1969 to 2016. Group bonding, learning, lifestyle, nature, challenge, memories, enjoyment, leadership, growth, confidence, and career were identified as themes in participant responses. Logistic regression analysis revealed group bonding (p = 0.003) to be significantly important during life as a student, while being francophone (p = 0.033) and lifestyle (p = 0.000) were significantly important in life after graduation.

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Acknowledgements

We would like to recognize and acknowledge the professor and founder of the Outdoor School Program at Laurentian University, Mr. Bob Rogers. We would also like to extend our gratitude to Shelby Deibert and Jean Benoit who dedicated time assisting with data analysis for this research project. Finally, we want to thank all the alumni participants from the School of Human Kinetics program for sharing their insights and stories, making this research possible.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Rehabilitation Sciences, McMaster University, Room 403, 1400 Main St. W, Hamilton, Ontario, L8S 1C7, Canada

    Ayden Meilleur

  2. School of Human Kinetics, Laurentian University, 935 Ramsey Lake Road, Sudbury, Ontario, P3E 6H9, Canada

    Stephen D. Ritchie, Bruce Oddson, Jeffrey McGarry, Patricia Pickard & Michelle K. Brunette

  3. Centre for Rural and Northern Health Research, Laurentian University, 935 Ramsey Lake Road, Sudbury, Ontario, P3E 6H9, Canada

    Stephen D. Ritchie

  4. Laurentian Research Institute for Aging, Laurentian University, 935 Ramsey Lake Road, Sudbury, Ontario, P3E 6H9, Canada

    Bruce Oddson

  5. Centre for Academic Excellence, Laurentian University, 935 Ramsey Lake Road, Sudbury, Ontario, P3E 6H9, Canada

    Michelle K. Brunette

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  1. Ayden Meilleur
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Correspondence to Stephen D. Ritchie.

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Meilleur, A., Ritchie, S.D., Oddson, B. et al. A retrospective study of the importance of a mandatory outdoor experience program at university. Journal of Outdoor and Environmental Education 23, 1–20 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s42322-019-00047-1

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