Bringing the Outside In: How Does an Outward Bound Experience Support Students’ Success in School?

• In Event: Poster Session 15
  In Poster Session: Service-Learning and Experiential Education Poster Session

Abstract

The impact of outdoor education on participants is of interest to practitioners and researchers; data suggest that such programs have small to moderate impact on participants’ perceptions of self-efficacy, attention, problem-solving abilities, and inter-personal skills (Bunting & Donley, 2002; Marsh, H. W., Neill, & Richards, 1997; CASEL, 2007). However, such studies do not consider outdoor programs as connected to a supporting school model. This research explores how New York City Outward Bound in partnership with the Expeditionary Learning School model supports development of students’ character and promotes academic engagement through an initial outdoor “Crew Orientation” and a school-based “Crew” advisory structure.

Authors

• Meg A. Riordan, Expeditionary Learning Schools

• Maren Olson, New York City Outward Bound