Research on wilderness experience programs indicates there is much to learn about specific components of the overall experience. The solo, where students are intentionally separated from their expedition group for an extended time for reflection, has long had an anecdotal reputation for enhancing the quality of participants' experiences. The purpose of this predominately qualitative study was (a) to investigate participants' perceptions of an Outward Bound solo, and (b) to compare these findings with a previous solo study conducted at Wheaton College in Illinois. The results indicate that although participants valued solitude, unstructured time, and reflection in nature, they also found these to be the most difficult aspects of the solo. These results were similar to the previous study. Both studies assist program leaders to better utilize the solo experience as a tool for participant growth.
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