Observed Fears and Discomforts among Urban Students on Field Trips to Wildland Areas

Abstract

Interpreters at urban nature centers were asked to recall and list fears expressed by students on field trips to wildland areas. Forty-eight interpreters recalled 564 examples of fearful reactions. Responses were interpreted based on the literature on fear. Fears of snakes, insects, nonindigenous animals, and plants were most frequently cited. Enlightening was the high frequency of “fear of getting lost” and the emotion of disgust expressed in relation to natural objects. Results suggest the need to address not only students' fears but also their feelings of disgust. Anxiety reactions from students suggest that interpretive programs for some students may be corrective instead of formative.