Experiential Results of Nature Camp Training

Abstract

Nowadays, nature which is almost forgotten or almost unknown by the new generation with technology and constructions is a value that should be given importance to increase awareness. As it’s known, it is extremely important for students to be active in outdoor activities at their leisure time in terms of their development. From this point of view, the idea is to create awareness by directing students to outdoor activities. This study was aimed to examine within Erikson's theory of psychosocial development the opinions of students about their expectations and experiences before and after nature camp. Before the camp, opinions were taken of students' expectations and after the camp were taken students' experiences. In this context, the students who participated in the camp were made preliminary interviews before the camp and final interviews after the camp using the case study design. The study group of the research is composed of 41 students who study in the 4th grade in a private elementary school in the academic year 2014-2015. Camping in Egriova National Park in Ankara in Turkey was held as a weekend activity outside school time. According to convenience sampling method was selected nine students (seven boys and two girls) for the sample. Individual interviews were conducted with the semi-structured interview form to obtain information about the expectations and experiences of the students. The obtained data were analyzed by content analysis method. In line with the opinions of the participants, a total of six main themes were formed before the camp and after the camp. Main themes of preliminary interviews are three themes: psychosocial expectation, activity ability expectation and expectation about the environment. Main themes of final interviews are three themes: psychosocial outcomes, activity ability outcomes and outcomes about the environment. Fifteen sub-themes and various codes for this main theme have been identified. In this study, it was observed that the students who expressed their expectations before from the camp were met their expectations positively at the end of the camp. By making a significant contribution to the psychosocial development of children's camping experience, it has enabled children to learn about camping and to experience it. After nature camp, students expressed the awareness that physical activity in nature is more fun than playing video games and they can also spend time without a tablet or a computer. The support of children in the industry versus inferiority has led them to develop their competence, to become aware of themselves and to increase their self-esteem. Within Erikson's theory of psychosocial development, these activities which were promoted and guided to increase children's sense of achievement, have been positive results with the feedback from the students.