Unique programming: an examination of the benefits of a free choice program

Dorothy L. Schmalz; Deborah L. Kerstetter; Harry C. Zinn

Treesearch

Unique programming: an examination of the benefits of a free choice program

Informally Refereed

Authors:

Dorothy L. Schmalz, Deborah L. Kerstetter, Harry C. Zinn

Year:

2002

Type:

General Technical Report

Station:

Northern Research Station

Source:

In: Todd, Sharon, comp., ed. 2002. Proceedings of the 2001 Northeastern Recreation Research Symposium. Gen. Tech. Rep. NE-289. Newtown Square, PA: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Northeastern Research Station. 81-84.

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Abstract

This study was an investigation of a free choice program and the benefits free choice yields on the developing characteristics of self-esteem and intrinsic motivation among adolescent girls. Both quantitative and qualitative data were collected at Brown Ledge Camp, an all girls summer camp outside of Burlington, Vermont, during the summer of 2000. Quantitative results indicate that intrinsic motivation increases over the course of the free choice program. The qualitative data appears to support the literature that both intrinsic motivation and self-esteem increase when participants are given the freedom to make their own recreation participation decisions.

Parent Publication

Proceedings of the 2001 Northeastern Recreation Research Symposium

Citation

Schmalz, Dorothy L.; Kerstetter, Deborah L.; Zinn, Harry C. 2002. Unique programming: an examination of the benefits of a free choice program. In: Todd, Sharon, comp., ed. 2002. Proceedings of the 2001 Northeastern Recreation Research Symposium. Gen. Tech. Rep. NE-289. Newtown Square, PA: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Northeastern Research Station. 81-84.