Summary of Research on Wilderness Inquiry

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Outdoor Adventure Recreation and Social Integration: A Social Psychological Perspective

This study reports on the efficacy of an integrated outdoor adventure program (Wilderness Inquiry, Inc.) in creating positive change for people with and without disabilities. This study documented skill acquisition and life-style changes through participation in Wilderness Inquiry programs. This study found that integrated programs resulted in increased recreation skills, improved sensitivity to the needs of other group members, and an increased respect for nature among the participants with disabilities.

Anderson, L.S. (1994). Outdoor adventure recreation and social integration: A social psychological perspective (Doctoral dissertation). PDF Document.
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Creating Positive Change Through an Integrated Outdoor Adventure Program

The purpose of this study was to investigate the efficacy of an integrated outdoor adventure program in creating positive change for people with and without disabilities. The research was part of a larger study that investigated the process occurring during a wilderness adventure program as well as the resultant outcomes. There is a small, but growing, number of studies that have investigated the effects of integrated wilderness adventure programs on people with and without disabilities. It is now widely accepted that integration has positive benefits for people with disabilities, as well as people without.

Anderson, L., Schleien, S., McAvoy, L., Lais, G. & Seligman, D. (1997). Creating positive change through an integrated outdoor adventure program. Therapeutic Recreation Journal, 31 (4), 214-229. PDF Document.
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Wilderness Adventure Recreation and Social Integration: What’s Going on Here?

The purpose of this study was to examine variables related to positive outcomes resultant from involvement in outdoor adventure experiences. It basically examines the “how” and “why” of outdoor adventure experiences effectiveness. The study searched for answers about the critical variables related to positive outcomes for social integrations and relationship development and whether or not a wilderness setting was one of the critical variables.

Anderson, L., Schleien, S., McAvoy, L., Lais, G. (1994). Wilderness adventure and social integration: What’s going on here? PDF Document.
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Integration Through Adventure: Results of a Three-Year Longitudinal Study

This study addresses the needs of people with and without disabilities in accessing wilderness-based, high adventure activities in mixed ability groups. In addition, this study included the development of an outdoor curriculum for high adventure pursuits with mixed ability groups. This study was a three-year investigation that documented the changes in participant’s attitudes, relationships, skills and quality of life as they participated in wilderness-based outdoor recreation.

Anderson, L., Schleien, S., McAvoy, L., Lais, G. & Seligman, D. (1993). Integration through adventure: Results of a three-year longitudinal study. Submitted to the U.S. Department of Education Grant #H128j00034. PDF Document.
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Program Evaluation of Wilderness Inquiry/The Emily Program Partnership

This study is the evaluation of the impacts of the partnership between Wilderness Inquiry and the Emily Program. This partnership provides outdoor adventure-based programs for persons with eating disorders being treated by the Emily Program. The goal of this study was to show the depth and bredth of positive effects in six domain areas: spirituality, social anxiety, depression, self-efficacy, self-esteem and eating disorder pathology. The findings showed that seven out of eight participants experienced improvement in at least one of the aforementioned domain areas.

Bell, J. (2012) Program Evaluation of Wilderness Inquiry/The Emily Program Partnership. University of St. Thomas, St. Paul, MN. PDF Document.
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Outcomes – Consequences – Values of an Integrated Wilderness Adventure Program

This research was used to develop a better understanding of the outcomes for participants in an integrated adventure program that includes persons with and without disabilities. The research specifically examined the linkages between the means (the service) and the ends (the consequences and values important to the individual). The research focused on Wilderness Inquiry, a non-profit organization that sponsors integrated wilderness adventure trip programs for adults and families.

Holman, T., Goldenberg, M., McAvoy, L., & Rynders, J. (2003). Outcomes-consequences-values of an integrated wilderness adventure program. The Journal of Experiential Education, Abstracts, 25, (3) 353. PDF Document.
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The Effect of an Inclusive Outdoor Adventure on the Quality of Life Persons with and without Disabilities

This study looked to explore the benefits of participating in an inclusive outdoor adventure. The subjects for this study were participants, with and without disabilities, of a 10-day wilderness canoe trip. The results showed improved canoe skills by all participants, maintenance of positive attitudes toward person with disabilities, increased group cohesion, and increase social status for most individuals within the groups

Kratil, D.S. (1995). The effect of an inclusive outdoor adventure on the quality of life of persons with and without disabilities (Unpublished master’s paper). University of Minnesota, Minneapolis.

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Wilderness accessibility for people with disabilities: A report to the President and the Congress of the United States on section 507 (a) of the Americans with Disabilities Act

Lais, G.J., McAvoy, L.H., & Fredrickson,L.M. (1992). Wilderness accessibility for people with disabilities: A report to the President and the Congress of the United States on section 507 (a) of the Americans with Disabilities Act. Washington: National Council of Disability. PDF Document.

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Bibliography of Publications

Anderson, L.S. (1994). Outdoor adventure recreation and social integration: A social psychological perspective (Doctoral dissertation). PDF Document.

Anderson, L., Schleien, S., McAvoy, L., Lais, G. (1994). Wilderness adventure and social integration: What’s going on here? PDF Document.

Bell, J. (2012) Program Evaluation of Wilderness Inquiry/The Emily Program Partnership. University of St. Thomas, St. Paul, MN. PDF Document.

Kratil, D.S. (1995). The effect of an inclusive outdoor adventure on the quality of life of persons with and without disabilities (Unpublished master’s paper). University of Minnesota, Minneapolis.

McAvoy, L. (2001). Research update-outdoors for everyone: Opportunities that include people with disabilities. Parks and Recreation. 36(8): 24-36.

McAvoy, L. (2000) Disability as diversity. In, Allison, M. & Schneider, I. (Eds.)DiversityIssues and the Recreation Profession: Organizational Perspectives. P. 47-72. State College, PA: Venture Publishing.

McAvoy, L., & Lais, G. (1999). Programs that include persons with disabilities. In J. Miles & S. Priest (Eds.), Adventure programming (pp. 403-414). State College, PA: Venture Publishing.

McAvoy. L. & Lais, G. (1996). Nature based human values and persons with disabilities. In Driver, B., Dustin, D., Baltic, T., & Peterson, G.(Eds.) Nature and the Human Spirit: Toward an Expanded Land Management Ethic (pp. 351-365). State College, PA: Venture Publishing.

McAvoy, L., Lais, G., Anderson, L. & Schleien, S. (1995). Wilderness and persons with disabilities: A review of research and policy directions. Trends, 32(1), 33-37, 48.

McAvoy, L., Roehl, J., Rynders, J. Leader Integration Competencies and Staff Training in Adventure Programs. University of Minnesota, Minneapolis. PDF Document.

McAvoy, L., Schatz, E., Stutz, M., Schleien, S., & Lais, G. (1989). Integrated wilderness adventure: Effects on personal and lifestyle traits of persons with and without disabilities. Therapeutic Recreation Journal, 23(3), 51-64.

McAvoy, L. & Schleien, S. (2001). Inclusive outdoor education and environmental interpretation. Taproot. 13(1): 11-16.

McAvoy, L., Smith, J. G., Rynders, J.E. (2006) Outdoor adventure programming for individuals with cognitive disabilities who present serious accommodation challenges. Therapeutic Recreation Journal. 40 (3): 182-199. PDF Document

Newman, J.A. (2001) Effects of Participation in Wilderness Inquiry’s “Gateway” Program on the Social and Leisure Functioning of Adults with Cognitive Disabilities (Unpublished doctoral dissertation). University of Minnesota, Twin Cities. PDF Document.

Rynders, J. (2001). Recreation: Key to a more fulfilling quality of community life. In S. Pueschel (Ed.), A parents guide to Down syndrome. Paul H. Brookes Publications, pp. 247-270.

Rynders, J. & Low, M. (2001). ‘Adrift’ in the educational mainstream: The need to structure communicative interactions between students with Down syndrome and their nondisabled peers. Down Syndrome Quarterly, 6, (1), 1-8.

Schleien, S.J., McAvoy, L.H., Lais, G. & Rynders, J.(1994). Integrated outdoor education and adventure programs. Champaign, Il: Sagamore.

Sheldon, T. & Daugherty, M. (2012) Urban Wilderness Canoe Adventures Evaluation. Center for Applied Research and Educational Improvement, University of Minnesota. PDF Document.

Scholl, K. Exploring Family Adventure in the Outdoors. The National Center on Physical Activity and Disability.PDF Document.

Scholl, K. (2000) The Influence of an Inclusive Outdoor Recreation Experience On Families that have a Child with a Disability. Project FIT 1998-2000. PDF Document.

Scholl, K. (2002). The influence of an inclusive outdoor recreation experience offamilies that have a child with a disability: An exploratory study (Unpublished doctoral dissertation). University of Minnesota, Minneapolis.

Scholl, K., McAvoy, L. & Smith, J. (1999). Inclusive outdoor recreation experiences of families that include a child with a disability. In Stewart, W. & Samdahl, D. (Eds.) Abstracts from the 1999 Symposium on Leisure Research (p. 9). Ashburn, VA: national Recreation and Park Association.

Scholl, K., McAvoy, L. & Smith, J. (2000). Benefits and components of an inclusive adventure program for families with children who have a disability. In Stringer, L.A., McAvoy, L. & Young, A. (Eds.), Coalition for Education in the Outdoors Fifth Biennial Research Symposium Proceedings (pp.72-81). Cortland, N.Y: Coalition for Education in the Outdoors.

Sproles, Kraig. (1997). Overcoming Barriers to Employment: The Wilderness Ability Adventure Program (Unpublished master’s degree thesis). University of Minnesota, Minneapolis.

Stringer, L.A. and McAvoy, L. (1992). The need for something different: Spirituality and wilderness adventure. Journal of Experiential Education, 15(1), 13-20.

Stutz, M.E. (1988). Effects of an integrated wilderness adventure on the trait anxiety level and lifestyle of participants. Unpublished masters paper. University of Minnesota, Minneapolis.

**More information about ongoing research on Wilderness Inquiry can be found by visiting the University of Minnesota Institute on Community Integration‘s Research and Training Center on Community Living.

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