The Effects of Intentional Recreation Programming on Internalization of Type 1 Diabetes Management among Adolescents

This study, with the help of the Utah Association of Diabetes Educators, attempted to determine the effectiveness of using self-determination theory (SDT) at an adolescent diabetes camp to increase internalization of diabetes management. Existing evidence indicates that adolescents manage less than 20% of their diabetes, far less than needed (Anderson, 1985). Failure to manage and internalize behavior for regulating glycemic levels can lead to a number of very significant problems (Bryden, Peveler, Stein, Neil, Mayou & Dunger, 2001). This limited internalized behavior·may be explained by SDT. Self determination theory provides a basis for creating an autonomy supportive. environment while fostering competence; autonomy, and relatedness (Deci & Ryan, 2000)

Challenge Course Effectiveness: The Impact on Leadership Efficacy and Work Efficacy Among College Students

Challenge courses have become increasingly popular in recent years. Many groups are turning to half-day challenge courses due to time and financial constraints. Yet, few studies have quantified the benefits of a half-day course. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of participation in a four-hour challenge course on leadership efficacy and work efficacy of college students. Pretest, posttest, and follow-up questionnaires were utilized. T-test analyses found that participating in a challenge course has a significant positive effect on increasing one’s leadership and work efficacy from pretest to posttest, after participation in a four-hour challenge course. This research also demonstrates that increased levels of the participants’ self-efficacy remained six weeks after the completion of the challenge course

Recreate Your Commute: An Application of the Theory of Planned Behavior on Cycling as Transportation

Abstract Increasing cycling for transportation has been shown to be instrumental in addressing current health, transportation, mobility, and environmental sustainability issues. The Recreate Your Commute project is a social marketing campaign comprised of a series of twenty-two interpretive signs and a website designed to promote the use of cycling for transportation and safe road sharing. Based on the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB), it addresses the cultural and personal beliefs and barriers that hinder participation and decrease safety. A pilot of the signs suggests the application of the TPB to interpretation is an effective means of influencing beliefs, and therefore behavior. While more research is needed, this project demonstrates a means to encourage engagement and promote behavior change (i.e., decrease vandalism, increase the use of Leave No Trace principles). This has important implications in the fields of natural resource management and recreation

Impacts of Service Learning on Undergraduate Teaching Assistants in an After-School Program: A Qualitative Approach to Discovery

This qualitative study took a phenomenological approach to examine undergraduate teaching assistants’ experiences with CARE Now, a service learning after-school program. The purpose of this study was to identify impacts of the service learning program on the teaching assistants through semi-structured interviews. This study expands on prevalent service learning research by exploring the experiences of students’ leading their peers in a service learning project. Findings suggest that internal motivations, personal challenges and support, resiliency, contextual challenges, transformational experience, growth, and advocacy are all perceived impacts teaching assistants encounter. Suggestions for future research are provided

Public Recreation and Neighborhood Sense of Community: An Exploration of a Hypothesized Relationship

This study explores the relationship between park attributes (perceived safety and perceived benefits) and their relationship to sense of community in urban neighborhoods. The study finds that the perception of benefits derived from park use has a direct relationship with sense of community, and that park safety is indirectly related to sense of community, with the perception of park benefits mediating the relationship between park safety and sense of community. Theoretical and practical considerations are discussed

Positive Youth Development: A Resiliency Based Afterschool Program Case Study

This study examined the impact of an afterschool program on resilience in youth at an elementary school in Central NY. The goals of the program were to: (a) increase resiliency among participants, and (b) reduce the occurrence of aggressive behaviors (i.e., bullying) in 5th and 6th graders. Of the 79 students who completed the survey, 19 participants were able to be matched with pre- and posttests. In the study, 13 as participants in the afterschool program, and six as non-participants. Results of paired samples t-tests indicated that those who participated in the afterschool program showed a significant increase (p= 0.05) in resiliency scores. The program also had a positive impact on decreasing discipline-related referrals

An Examination of Motives, Attitudes and Charitable Intentions for Running in a Charity Event

Running, as a form of leisure time physical activity is generally popular due to its low-cost entry, easy access to practice, and the convenience and accessible nature of the activity. Specifically, one type of running experience sought by many is charitable running or running for a cause (i.e., cause-related sport event). While there is a growing body of literature on charity sport events, little is known about how the charitable motives and participant identity with the event affect future behaviors associated with the cause and the event. Grounded in identity theory, the purpose of this article was to examine the effect of salient identities and charitable motives on future intentions associated with a cause-related event. Data were collected from the second annual Norfolk Freedom Half Marathon, in Virginia, via an online survey that was sent to all registered runners (1,372) one week after the race and 557 participants responded. We found charity motives to be the dominant influence on both charitable and purchase intentions in cause-event participants. This study contributes to the existing amateur sport literature as one of the first to report on a military-oriented sport event with military affiliated participants; the creation of the Charitable Motives in Sport Scale (CMISS), the Runner Identity Scale (RIS) and the Military Identity Scale (MIS); and the addition of a new military/runner identity typology, which we hope would be useful for future military-affiliated running events

Promoting Character and Resiliency Among Elementary School Students: An Assessment of the CARE Now Program

Youth, especially in inner-city areas of the country, are in need of effective, outcome-based camp programs when school is not in session. Character and Resiliency Education (CARE) Now (CN) is a comprehensive in- and afterschool program designed to promote academic enrichment through positive youth development with a focus on enhancing character and resiliency. In the summer of 2013, CN was adapted to create a three-week long day camp at a high-needs elementary school in eastern Virginia. Using theoretically-based and outcome focused programming, CN was widely praised for its effectiveness among youth in this summer camp. To assess its impact, a mix-method approach was used, producing desirable results. Consequently, the supporting organization moved forward to fund CARE Now for a year-long program at the same school