Aram Attarian

Trends in Outdoor Adventure Education.

Trend analysis is an important source of information for adventure program professionals as trends can provide information for decision-making, encourage the development of new programs, train staff, instigate new policies and procedures, and (re)allocate resources. This article investigates the past, current, and future trends in adventure education by examining Ewerts (1987) trend analysis, which identified a number of trends projected to show growth by the year 2000. The trends presented and discussed herein include participation rates, restrictions on land and water resources, certification and accreditation of programs and leaders, artificial adventure environments, evaluation and accountability, growth in adventure programs and activities and litigation.

Understanding environmentally significant behavior among whitewater rafting and trekking guides in the Garhwal Himalaya, India

Garhwal, Uttarakhand, India, is planning for large-scale sustainable mountain tourism. However, current tourism practices have resulted in waste accumulation and vegetation loss. This paper explores the possibility of increasing the role of whitewater rafting and adventure tour guides to reduce tourists’ environmental impacts. Earlier studies on guides acquiescent with this role have found it to be effective in altering client behavior and minimizing environmentally destructive behavior. However, only limited research focuses on guides from developing countries outside an ecotourism context. This exploratory research in Garhwal, India, helps explain adventure guide intentions to perform pro-environmental behavior. The theory of planned behavior was applied to identify factors leading to a sample of 68 whitewater and trekking guides to perform three environmentally significant behaviors – packing out rubbish, burying their human waste and cutting living trees for firewood. Results suggest that the theoretical antecedents of the theory of planned behavior can predict intentions to perform pro-environmental behavior among non-western guides. Possible impediments to consistent performance of pro-environmental behavior among guides were noted, including lack of social pressure to change, abhorrence of contact with excreta, caste issues, effort expended to dig burial holes, etc. Managerial possibilities to encourage change are discussed.

Trip Response Modeling of Rock Climbers' Reactions to Proposed Regulations

Study results contribute to the recreation benefits literature for the sport of rock climbing. Also, reported is an application of a hybrid or trip response modeling approach. Respondent reactions (intended behavior) to regulatory changes in management plans at Crowders Mountain State Park, North Carolina, are assessed. The proposed regulations address (a) the quality of rock climbing conditions, (b) variations in climbing areas to accommodate the different skill levels, (c) limiting the number and size of groups, (d) rationing of rock climbing at certain areas, involving either area modifications, restrictions or closures, and (e) requiring users to attend education programs and perform park service projects. Intended changes in annual climbing participation, attributable to the proposed regulations, are displayed along with losses in recreation benefits. Our point estimate of consumer surplus is

Treatment of Vietnam Veterans with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder: A Model Program

125 per trip, which compares favorably with other reported estimates. Finally, an on-site climbing choice model is estimated and the resulting distributions of demanded state park trips among the seven climbing areas resulting from four regulatory change are evaluated.

The Effects of Outdoor Experiential Training on Perceptions of College Stress

Abstract Outward Bound, one of the nations oldest outdoor adventure programs, has programs developed and implemented for Vietnam veterans learning how to handle post-traumatic stress disorder. This article describes a model Outward Bound program, how it works, and its outcome.