Eric Frauman

Differences between Participants and Non-Participants of Campus Recreation Offerings across Demographic Variables and Perceptions of the College Experience

While outcomes associated with involvement in extracurricular activities have been shown to be linked to persistence and overall satisfaction with college life, there is still a paucity of recent research (Barcelona & Ross, 2002) that has examined the differences between college students who participate in campus recreation offerings and those who do not. Therefore, the primary purpose of this paper was to examine the association between students who participate in campus recreation programs and services and those who do not across demographic characteristics, as well as their perceptions of the overall college experience. A self-administered questionnaire was administered randomly to 389 students of a southeastern university during spring 2001. The findings in this study revealed that students were quite similar across demographic characteristics and perceptions of the college experience regardless of their participation in campus recreation programs and services. Despite the differing response categories for many of the demographic characteristics examined, expected responses nearly matched actual responses for the majority of each characteristic analyzed. Regardless of the findings, the use of this type of information would likely be valuable to a campus recreation department, as well as provide information for a division of student affairs to assist in better understanding the relationship between student involvement in recreational activities and the overall college experience.

An Exploratory Study of the Impact of a Wilderness Orientation Program on College Student’s Life Effectiveness

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.

A Preliminary Investigation of Sensation-Seeking and Risk-Based Recreation among College Students: Implications for Intramural and Outdoor Programs

The primary purpose of this study was to examine sensation seeking tendencies and preference for risk-based recreational pursuits among college students who participated in intramural or outdoor programs, as well as students who had not participated in either. Also examined was expressed preference for one type of programming versus the other. The Sensation Seeking Scale Form V (Zuckerman, 1994) and Risk-Based Recreational Desires and Participation Scale were administered to students. Students who participated in outdoor programs (OP) scored higher on sensation seeking exhibiting greater tendencies (e.g., thrill and adventure seeking) than intramural program (IP) participants or nonparticipants (NP). The same was true for students who preferred outdoor versus intramural programming. Males who preferred OP versus IP scored higher on sensation seeking while this was not observed among females. OP participants engaged in more risk-based recreational pursuits than IP or NP, although over half of IP and NP expressed desire to participate in many of the pursuits not already engaged in by a majority. Implications for IP and OP development and marketing toward college students are discussed.

Constraints to Rafting at an Artificial Whitewater Park

As recreational activities in natural settings such as rafting are replicated artificially, professionals’ understanding of participant behaviors, motivations and constraints may need to be updated. Constraints for recreation activities in artificial environments might differ significantly from those in natural environments. As such, the primary purpose of this study was to examine constraints to participating in rafting at an artificial whitewater park. An onsite survey of visitors at an artificial whitewater facility was conducted in the southeastern United States in early fall 2007. Based on the results of this study it appears the primary constraints to participation are similar to traditional river rafting in that lack of time and companionship are major constraints. On the other hand, artificial facilities differ in that they present new constraints such as lack of preparedness. The creation of artificial whitewater facilities near populated areas could reduce the constraint of “no areas near me for this activity” found in the studies of constraints to river rafting. The number of artificial whitewater parks and facilities will require significant funding therefore constraints research in this area will be critical and more research is definitely needed on these artificial facilities. 1 Rabinowitz et al.: Constraints to Rafting at an Artificial Whitewater Park Published by ScholarWorks@GVSU, 2010 Journal of Tourism Insight s Vol. 1 No. 1 74 include factors such as lack of money and time. This study utilizes the typology classification proposed by Crawford and Godbey (1987). Numerous studies have focused on the constraints that preclude people from engaging in various leisure activities (Bialeschki, & Henderson, 1988; Crawford, & Godbey, 1987; Gilbert & Hudson, 2000; Jackson, 2005, Lee & Scott, 2009). Studies examining constraints to whitewater boating on rivers have been conducted (Nyaupane, Morais, Graefe, 2003, 2004), however the examination of constraints to rafting at artificial whitewater facilities is a new field of study. While there are obvious differences between rafting on a river and an artificial run, there might also be many similar constraints (e.g., risk, cost, time investment, lack of skill, etc.). Earlier studies conducted on whitewater rivers served as a starting point for this research project.

Environmentally Sustainable Practices among College Outdoor Programs and Their Association with Organizational Support Structures.

Sustainability has gained increasing importance amongst both academic research and organizational practice over the past two decades (Davis & Challenger, 2014). The primary purpose of this study was to examine environmentally sustainable practices among college outdoor programs, while also examining how college level policy and infrastructural support may be associated with such practices. Of additional interest was to examine how environmental policies established at the programmatic level may differentially influence practice versus policies at the institutional level. College and university outdoor program directors were sampled in 2014 concerning their engagement in various pro-environment practices and perceptions of institutional support. The findings revealed the organizational culture and infrastructural support at responding institutions does make a positive difference in outdoor program sustainable practices, as does the level environmental policy is established at. Future research efforts should consider a more systemic and systematic approach to studying this topic given its increasing importance and visibility on college campuses. Subscribe to JOREL

Perceptions of intuition among campus recreation outdoor program professional staff: an exploratory study.

Authors have pointed to the role that intuition plays in organizational and managerial decision making. The primary purpose of this study was to examine perceptions of intuitive experiences and intuition in general among campus and university recreation outdoor program professional staff particularly in light of their positions of authority and influence on program direction and service. An online survey was administered to campus recreation outdoor program professionals in 2011/2012 with results indicating females are more likely to use intuitive experiences than males in the workplace. Work experience with a college outdoor program, how one believes intuition is acquired, and whether one has ignored their intuition did not differentiate respondents concerning their use of intuitive experiences. While further research is warranted findings from this study should provide useful information for campus recreation outdoor program professionals interested in more closely examining how gut feelings and instincts play a role in managing their respective programs.

Sanitation procedures and policies among university climbing walls in the United States

The primary purpose of this investigation was to examine sanitation practices, procedures, and policies presently being used at University climbing wall facilities in the United States. Using a systematic random sampling of University climbing facilities a total of 54 university climbing walls directors responded to the telephone survey. There appears to be a lack of consistency amongst University climbing facilities concerning sanitation practices, procedures and policies. There are numerous direct sanitation recommendations for administrators to consider from this article. For example, the need for establishing a sanitation schedule for all equipment which might include frequency of each items cleaned, type of cleaning materials/agents, detail procedures, staff protections, participant protections (i.e. does the wall need to be shut down to do this type of cleaning) may be suggested. Air quality and chalk issues, impact attenuating surfaces (mats and barefoot belayers), bloodborne pathogen concerns, rental equipment (e.g., shoe cleaning, helmets and lice problems), climbing shoe cleanliness (e.g., removal of shoes and harnesses before entering restrooms policies, bottoms of shoes cleaning, and much more are brought to light in this article. To date, there is no evidence or study that anyone has been exposed or even ill directly from an indoor climbing facility due to sanitation levels. However, a proactive examination, discussion and possible need to establish industry level sanitation best practices may be necessary.

Despite varying outdoor affiliations: The continued need to collaborate

This special issue of the Journal of Outdoor Recreation, Education, and Leadership (JOREL) is a compilation of research abstracts presented at the 8th Annual AORE (Association for Outdoor Recreation and Education) Research Symposium in Snowbird, UT, November 8-10, 2012, and the 5th Annual Outdoor Leadership Research Symposium (OLRS) held at the 2013 WEA Outdoor Education Colloquium in Black Mountain, NC, February 15-17, 2013. Numerous contributors provided some of the most current research related to outdoor recreation, education, and leadership. Each of the abstracts in this issue received a double-blind, peer-review process to ensure the quality of the work published here. Three other JOREL special issues covering abstracts from previous years of these two symposiums were published in 2012 (Volume 4, Issue 2), 2011 (Volume 3, Issue 2) and 2010 (Volume 2, Issue 2).

Getting to know the great outdoors: A call for action.

This special issue of the Journal of Outdoor Recreation, Education, and Leadership ( JOREL ) is a compilation of research abstracts presented at the 7th Annual AORE (Association for Outdoor Recreation and Education) Research Symposium in San Antonio, TX, November 3-5, 2011, and the 4th Annual Outdoor Leadership Research Symposium (OLRS) held at the 2012 International Conference on Outdoor Leadership in Estes Park, Colorado, February 18-21, 2012. Numerous contributors provided some of the most current research related to outdoor recreation, education, and leadership. Each of the abstracts in this issue went through a double-blind, peer review process to ensure the quality of the work published here. Note: Two other JOREL special issues covering abstracts from previous years of these two symposiums were published in 2011 (Volume 3, Issue 2) and 2010 (Volume 2, Issue 2).