ERIC Number: EJ1254703
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2020-Jun
Pages: 20
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1053-8259
EISSN: N/A
The College Orientation Workshop as an Experiential, Positive Youth Development Program
Whipple, Sara S.; Frein, Scott T.; Kline, Keith A.
Journal of Experiential Education, v43 n2 p185-204 Jun 2020
Background: The 4-week-long College Orientation Workshop (COW) is an experiential education program that combines physical and mental challenges with classroom instruction to promote self-confidence, self-control, wellness, and life success in promising male youth facing challenges to reaching their full potential. Purpose: This was an exploratory study to assess whether young men who completed the program manifested psychological and/or physical changes. Methodology/Approach: Sixteen young men were assessed at the beginning and end of the program. Physical measures included fitness test scores (pull-ups, sit-ups, push-ups, 1.5 mile run time), resting blood pressure, and pulse rate. Psychological variables included positive and negative affect, life satisfaction, self-esteem, self-efficacy, perceived control, self-control, impulsivity, social support, and subjective socioeconomic status. Findings/Conclusions: From pre- to post-COW, there were significant increases in self-esteem, positive affect, and sit-ups completed as well as significant decreases in run times, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, and heart rate. Several nonsignificant trends were also detected. Associations of psychological variables with fitness/health measures suggest that changes in the latter may be partly due to changes in the former. Implications: The COW Program may be an effective experiential education program. Follow-up studies with program participants are currently underway to determine longer term outcomes.
Descriptors: School Orientation, Self Esteem, Self Control, Well Being, Males, Physical Fitness, Pretests Posttests, College Bound Students, Experiential Learning, Program Evaluation, Social Development, Emotional Development, Outdoor Education, Self Concept Measures, Self Efficacy
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Higher Education; Postsecondary Education; High Schools; Secondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Assessments and Surveys: Rosenberg Self Esteem Scale
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A