A residential outdoor education camp and environmental attitudes : a case study

Whilst many outdoor educators are confident their residential outdoor education (ROE) camp programmes improve participants' environmental attitudes, research findings are  inconclusive. This study seeks to explore the effects of a ROE camp and socio­ demographic  variables (age, gender, number of siblings, environmental worldview, preferred recreational  activities, and previous outdoor and environmental education experiences) on environmental  attitudes. It also examines camp elements that may be influential upon environmental attitudes and  attempts to shed light upon the process of attitudinal change. Twenty-eight intermediate school students (aged 11 - 13 years) participated in a four­ day ROE camp  that included environmental education activities. A mixed method approach was utilised where  Mackay's (1981) modified version of the Millward Ginter Outdoor Attitude Inventory (MGOAI) was used  to gather quantitative data from pre and post-tests. Qualitative insights were also gathered using  participant observation, interviews and a focus group with: (1) three students; (2) the school's Head of Outdoor Education and; (3) a parent volunteer. Results from a repeated measure ANOVA and constant comparative qualitative methods suggested that  the camp led to a positive improvement in environmental attitudes. Gender and previous experiences  in outdoor and environmental education activities were also found to be influential. Students felt  that environmental games, tramping and minimal impact camping practices had influenced their  attitudinal improvement. The process of attitudinal changes corresponded with Hanna's (1995) Theory  of Intention In and For the Wilderness. Issues of imbalance in outdoor education curriculum foci  are addressed, and a framework for future practice and research is suggested.