Impact of a Wilderness Orientation Program on College Student's Life Effectiveness

Authors

  • Eric Frauman Appalachian State University
  • Diane Waryold Appalachian State University

Keywords:

college students, Life Effectiveness Questionnaire, wilderness orientation programs

Abstract

Wilderness based outdoor orientation programs have been offered at

colleges and universities to incoming freshmen since the 1930s. Although

these programs appear to impact students in a positive way

(e.g. self-efficacy), little research has documented whether these programs

facilitate change on college student perceptions of life effectiveness.

This exploratory study examined a 4-day wilderness based

program at a university in the southeastern United States. Three

groups of students were studied over the course of a semester using

the Life Effectiveness Questionnaire (LEQ) (Neill, Marsh & Richards,

2003). When compared to a control group, the two groups of students

who participated in the wilderness oriented program had higher scores

on six of the eight LEQ dimensions (e.g. time management, emotional

control) and overall total than students who did not participate at both

the beginning and end of their first semester of college. Conclusions

and implications for practice are made to promote proactive planning

measures for improving outdoor orientation programs.

Issue

Section

Regular Papers