Developing Pro-Environmental Behavior and Environmental Advocacy Through Multi-Day Canoe and Kayak Experiences

Abstract

Background/Purpose: Organized events with environmental and outdoor education (EOE) components have the potential to change participant environmental behaviors. This study further investigates emergent outcomes, meanings, and effect on behavior that an organized, community-based, multigenerational river canoeing and kayaking event may have for its participants and considers these intersections of pro-environmental behavior, sense of place, and multigenerational community involvement. Methodology/Approach: Research participants experienced a multi-day canoeing and kayaking event and were invited to participate in semi-structured interviews (n  =  13). Participants ranged from teen-age to older adults. This research uses a qualitative methodology and a data collection procedure which employs semi-structured interviews conducted on the water, in-situ, during the program. Interviews were recorded and transcribed. Findings: Emergent themes and sub-themes including experiential learning's effect on knowledge acquisition, changes in attitude and environmental behavior, the value of rivers, and sense of place and socio-cultural outcomes related to such EOE programs. Implications: These results support experientially based EOE programs effectiveness for the continued development of pro-environmental behavior in the citizenry. This research aims to add to the current EOE literature on diverse and inclusive socially supported, community engagement EOE programs through a diverse sample (i.e., age, gender, race/ethnicity, etc.).