What Makes for Supportive Adults in Outdoor Out-of-School Time Programming? Perspectives From Girls and Adults

• In Event: Roundtable Session 54
  In Roundtable Session: Understanding Youth Perceptions and Outcomes in Spaces for Extended Learning

Abstract

This research examines the characteristics of adults that girls and adult OST facilitators consider most important for supporting positive youth development experiences in the outdoors. Three factors are identified: Emotional support, challenge support, and outdoor preparedness. While Emotional Support is rated most important by both girls and adults, Challenge Support is the characteristic that differentiates girls who participate frequently in outdoor activities from those who do not. Implications are discussed.

Author

• Kallen E. Tsikalas, Girl Scout Research Institute