Young people and outdoor adventure activities

Abstract

Adventure activities such as abseiling and zip lines push the participants outside their comfort zone. These can be defined as a “…direct, active and engaging learning experiences that involve the whole person and have real consequences” (Prouty, Panicucci and Collinson, 2007. p.12). Thus, the aim of this study is to investigate the meanings connected to outdoor adventure activities within Maltese youth groups and whether they take part in these activities or not. This study was carried out using the qualitative approach through interviews and a focus group and the findings show that adventure activities such as abseiling and zip line are rarely invested-in due to a number of reasons varying from insurance, expenses and the fear that a member of the group gets hurt. However, this study also exposed a subtle situation where the participants are reluctant to exit from their comfort zone to organise an adventure activity. Young People and Outdoor Adventure Activities is worked around the stretch – zone experience paradigm. This paradigm (Prouty et al, 2007. p.39) emerged “with an understanding of the ideas of Dewey, Duckworth and Kolb”.