Peer-reviewed research2017–2026 update
"Being Comfortable with the Uncomfortable": Adolescent Girls' Experiences of an Extended Outdoor Adventure Program
Girls at a school that builds outdoor adventure into its curriculum linked their experiences to relationships, perseverance, enjoyment of nature, leadership, confidence and personal growth.
What's new
This qualitative study looked at the long-term effects of outdoor adventure programming for 8th-grade students at a private girls' middle school where this programming runs through the curriculum. The girls reflected on their 2.5 years at the school. They photographed their outdoor experiences during their final semester and then used the photos as prompts in focus group interviews. The themes were relationship and community, perseverance and resilience, enjoyment and finding beauty in nature, leadership and confidence, and individual growth.
Why it matters in Aotearoa
This study gives the perspective of girls who took part in sustained outdoor programming, which can inform how schools in Aotearoa design ongoing outdoor programmes for young women. Its photo-elicitation method is also a practical way to draw out student voice.
Putting it into practice
Ask students to photograph moments from an EOTC programme and use the photos to prompt group reflection afterwards.
How strong is the evidence
This is qualitative focus group research at one private school, and the abstract does not give the number of students. The findings come from students' own accounts.
What to read
The photo-elicitation method and the five emergent themes.