Abstract
The purpose of this study was to explore potential relationships between staff engagement scores and camper outcomes at a low ropes course for youth with serious illnesses. Two measures were created for this study: the Participant Adventure Outcomes Scale measured campers’ personal challenge and teamwork, and the Staff Engagement Observation Rubric was completed by low ropes course facilitators on “auxiliary staff” including volunteers and counselors not directly responsible for facilitating the low ropes course. Results showed no relationships between camper outcomes and auxiliary staff engagement. Implications for the measures and programming are discussed.
Highlights
While most adventure programs and research studies on challenge courses aim to see if there are effects on participants, few focus on the potential connections between what staff do and participant outcomes
Investigating the “black box” of program theory, we created and implemented a rubric to measure engagement of “auxiliary staff” while campers were at a low ropes challenge course (“Adventure”), and explored potential relationships between staff engagement scores and camper outcomes
We explored how auxiliary staff potentially shaped the context of the Adventure program and if staff engagement had any bearing on camper outcomes
Summary
While most adventure programs and research studies on challenge courses aim to see if there are effects on participants, few focus on the potential connections between what staff do and participant outcomes. Investigating the “black box” of program theory, we created and implemented a rubric to measure engagement of “auxiliary staff” while campers were at a low ropes challenge course (“Adventure”), and explored potential relationships between staff engagement scores and camper outcomes. Many adventure and experiential education programs include auxiliary staff to serve as additional safety monitors and to effectively communicate with participants using the auxiliary staff. The Journal of Youth Development is the official peer-reviewed publication of the National Association of Extension 4-H Agents and the National AfterSchool Association
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