Promoting leadership in prospective first-generation college students using outdoor adventure

Abstract

In this qualitative study, researchers explored the experiences of high-achieving, low-income, high school students who participated in a weekend outdoor adventure program. Participants were identified as future first-generation college students with limited outdoor experience seeking to develop leadership characteristics. Researchers conducted a thematic analysis on brief texts using a structured tabular approach which yielded three primary themes related to growth, connectedness and team building. The results of this study align with similar study findings. The novelty and implications of this study are discussed to inform future practitioners and researchers.