Do journey style outdoor education programs lead to change?
This paper examines the influences of a journey style outdoor education program on the program participants that appear to contribute to changes in personal understanding, behaviour and/or outlook on the world. The study investigated these influences from the participant’s point of view using a qualitative research approach collecting data in the program setting. The participants felt they were free of the competing distractions of home life, including, television, phones, Internet, school and lots of people around. This simple life style and lack of distractions combined with the influences of the natural environment appeared to have a calming effect on the participants, encouraging them to think and reflect on various aspects of their lives and behaviour. The participants reported the program experiences contributed to positive changes to their personal understanding, behaviour and/ or outlook on the world.
