The Role of Implementation in Leisure, Experiential Education, and Recreation

Within Leisure, Experiential Education, and Recreation (LER) research, there is a shift to evidence-based practices (EBP) in program design and assessment, reflecting the transition to EBPs within the prevention, health, and social sciences. However, one area that still lacks conceptual development and application within LER relates to how programs are implemented. This study contributes both to LER and the broader social sciences by examining the multiple dimensions of implementation within residential summer camp. First, this study reviews the macro level factors that contribute to or inhibit implementation quality. Second, this study examines the factors that promote implementation quality at the facilitator level through the production of a conceptual framework and corresponding characteristic, trait, and behavior measurement recommendations. Third, this study introduces Situational Judgement Testing as a method to predict implementation quality through a content analysis of Subject Matter Experts\u27 responses to scenarios reflecting the LER programming context. Fourth, this study evaluates a Multi-Level Model to explore relationships among facilitator traits, behaviors, and characteristics with implementation quality, related sub-domains of implementation quality, and parent perceptions of program outcomes. The study findings: (a) demonstrate partial support for contemporary implementation research findings in an underexamined context, LER, (b) provide researchers and practitioners with actionable guidelines for future implementation investigations, and (c) establish a platform for research regarding the necessity of implementation assessment within the LER sciences

Examining Predictors of Implementation Quality in an Emerging International Extension Context

In this article, we explore a component of evidence-based programming—implementation quality—within an emerging international Extension context. Specifically, we examine how the traits, characteristics, and perceptions of 46 program facilitators influenced their support of maintaining implementation quality in a Nicaraguan youth violence and substance abuse prevention program, Dale se REAL. The results indicated that of four potential variables, only facilitator buy-in to the Dale se REAL program was a meaningful predictor of implementation support. The implications of the study findings, relative to evidence-based Extension research in both the United States and an emerging international context, are discussed

Examining Predictors of Implementation Quality in an Emerging International Extension Context

In this article, we explore a component of evidence-based programming—implementation quality—within an emerging international Extension context. Specifically, we examine how the traits, characteristics, and perceptions of 46 program facilitators influenced their support of maintaining implementation quality in a Nicaraguan youth violence and substance abuse prevention program, Dale se REAL. The results indicated that of four potential variables, only facilitator buy-in to the Dale se REAL program was a meaningful predictor of implementation support. The implications of the study findings, relative to evidence-based Extension research in both the United States and an emerging international context, are discussed

Illuminating the Process of Youth Development: The Mediating Effect of Thriving on Youth Development Program Outcomes

This paper examines the relationship between the developmental contexts of youth programs and resultant developmental outcomes, and explores whether the developmental process of thriving mediates this relationship. Developmental context is proposed to consist of three elements: (1) youth sparks, (2) program quality, and (3) developmental relationships. Combined, these elements describe youth program context more precisely than in previous studies, allowing for a clearer understanding of effective program settings. Likewise, the process of youth thriving provides insight into the mechanism through which youth development occurs. Sufficient model fit, convergent validity, and discriminant validity of the 4-H Thriving scale were determined through a multi-phase confirmatory factor analysis. As hypothesized, structural equation modeling revealed a full mediational effect of youth thriving on developmental outcomes. The results of this study guide youth development practitioners to focus on the quality of the developmental context of youth programs and the ways in which programs can promote youth thriving

Looking Ahead: Envisioning the Future of the Extension Program Development Model

This article synthesizes key points from this special issue of the Journal of Human Sciences and Extension and provides recommendations for and predictions about the evolution of the Extension Program Development Model. A foundational question addressed by each of the authors of this special issue and summarized in this chapter is, “If your recommendations regarding the Extension Program Development Model were followed, what would Extension look like in five years?

The Cooperative Extension Program Development Model: Adapting to a Changing Context

For over 100 years, Cooperative Extension in the United States has used a consistently articulated program development model including program planning, design and implementation, and evaluation that involves stakeholders in the process. This issue of the Journal of Human Sciences and Extension examines the history and evolution of the program development model for successful Extension work and adaptations to that model that have emerged due to the changing educational context. This issue provides information on how elements of the model have changed over the last 100 years; delves into contemporary issues and challenges; and provides important analysis, implications, lessons learned, and applications for current and future success of Extension programs. In this article, we provide a definition of a program, the rationale for using a program development model in Extension work, the Extension Program Development Model, other program development models used by Extension professionals, and the changing context surrounding Extension work that impacts the Program Development Model

Competition Climbing as Serious Leisure

Serious Leisure has received considerable attention in the leisure research for the past forty years. Building on recent efforts to operationalize serious leisure constructs, this study examined the relationship between serious leisure characteristics and rewards in the context of indoor competition climbing, a sport recognized as a potential serious leisure pursuit. The purposes of the study were to validate the 18-item Serious Leisure Inventory Measure (SLIM) as well as the three-factor model of serious leisure proposed by previous researchers. A national sample of 646 indoor competition climbers completed a 59-item survey. Results suggest partial validation of the 18-Item SLIM and a three factor model of serious leisure characteristics and rewards. Serious leisure characteristics significantly, positively contributed to personal and social rewards in the structural model, confirming the relationships and distinctions between these constructs. Further replication and validation of the 18-Item SLIM with different populations is recommended

Measuring Self-Reported Fidelity in Experiential Education: Exploring the Effectiveness of the Facilitator Characteristics and Program Contributions Scale

Social science researchers have called for evidenced based practices when implementing, delivering, and evaluating programs. One important component of these practices is to monitor program implementation. However, in experiential education and more broadly the social sciences this process is rarely assessed or evaluated; when it is assessed it is frequently resource intensive. As such, program providers have needed an implementation measurement approach more conducive to low-resource organizations. This paper introduces a self-report mechanism to measure facilitator characteristics that contribute to delivering a program as designed. A Confirmatory Factor Analysis of 121 program facilitator responses to the Facilitator Characteristics and Program Contributions Scale (FCPC) indicated that the FCPC is a valid and reliable measure of facilitator characteristics and their pro-fidelity beliefs, and thus may be a promising alternative to other resource intensive approaches to implementation assessment

Influences of Resident Camp Experiences on Career Choice: A Case Study of Female Alumnae

Few studies have explored the long-term impacts of camp experiences on career choice, although there is a need to better understand how camp experiences may influence this decision to guide staff recruitment and retention efforts. The purpose of this study was to examine the influence of camp experiences on future career paths for women. Twenty-two camp alumnae who attended an all-girls camp completed a retrospective online survey. Salient themes related to career impacts included human service career interest, outdoor career interest, leadership and interpersonal skill development, and social-emotional skill development. Considerations for future research include a national study of a more representative sample of camp alumni to shed greater light on occupational choice and career path for camp alumni

Flexible macrocycles as versatile supports for catalytically active metal clusters

Here we present three structurally diverse clusters stabilised by the same macrocyclic polyphenol; t-butylcalix[8]arene. This work demonstrates the range of conformations the flexible ligand is capable of adopting, highlighting its versatility in metal coordination. In addition, a Ti complex displays activity for the ring-opening polymerisation of lactide