A four-year follow-up of means-end outcomes from outdoor adventure programs

Abstract

Means-end theory was used to analyze differences in outcomes from original interviews and follow-up interviews occurring four years after Outward Bound (OB) and National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS) 2006 course participation. In 2006, a semi-structured, in-person interview was conducted after participants (N = 510) completed their course. In 2010, semi-structured telephone interviews were conducted from a convenience sample of the original participants (N = 200). Results of this study show how OB and NOLS programs continued to increase participant self-respect/esteem/confidence, impart transferable lessons and skills, and provide a sense of self-awareness four years after course participation. Understanding such participant outcomes allows program managers to effectively market programs, comprehend relationships between program attributes and participant outcomes, and design programs for specific outcomes.

Keywords:

• means-end theory
• outdoor adventure program
• Outward Bound
• National Outdoor Leadership School

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the US Department of Agriculture (NIFA): McIntire-Stennis Cooperative Forestry Research Act Program and California State University—Agricultural Research Institute.

Notes on contributors

Marni Goldenberg

Marni Goldenberg, PhD, is a Professor in Recreation, Parks, and Tourism Administration at California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, CA, USA.

Katherine E. Soule

Katherine E. Soule, PhD, is the Youth, Families, & Communities Advisor for the University of California in San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara Counties.