Sense of place in outdoor-pursuits trip groups

Abstract

Studies have revealed that sense of community and group cohesion increase significantly over time in outdoor-pursuits trip groups. This study sought to understand similar development of sense of place. Do people simultaneously become more attached to or dependent on the natural environment as they grow closer to each other? Results from a study of college students participating in a 13-day Outdoor Education Practicum course in the Adirondacks (New York) indicate that sense of place is not significantly correlated to sense of community or group cohesion. Sense of place scores remained relatively high across a 2-week course, but did not significantly increase over time. However, beginners had significantly lower scores than intermediates and those with advanced skills on Day 11; no differences were detected among levels of development (e.g., skill, experience, commitment) by Day 13. Perhaps the course was not long enough to cause a significant change. Alternatively, placing as much emphasis on developing an attachment to the natural world as on building a sense of community might influence similar growth in sense of place.

Parent Publication

• Proceedings of the 2008 Northeastern Recreation Research Symposium

Citation

Todd, Sharon L.; Young, Anderson B.; Anderson, Lynn S.; O''Connell, Timothy S.; Breunig, Mary. 2009. Sense of place in outdoor-pursuits trip groups. In: Klenosky, David B.; Fisher, Cherie LeBlanc, eds. Proceedings of the 2008 Northeastern Recreation Research Symposium; 2008 March 30 - April 1; Bolton Landing, NY. Gen. Tech. Rep. NRS-P-42. Newtown Square, PA: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Northern Research Station: 172-180.