By David E. Coenen a Research Paper Submitted In
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THE DEVELOPMENT OF AN OUTDOOR CLUB WITH AN EMPHASIS ON DEVELOPING AN ENVIRONMENT AL ETHIC AT WAUSAU EAST HIGH SCHOOL by David E. Coenen A Research Paper Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements of the Degree MASTER OF SCIENCE College of Natural Resources UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN Stevens Point, Wisconsin July 1 998 APPROVED BY: --~4--&~ ------ ~ Randall J. Champeau Professor of Environmental Education ii ABSTRACT The purpose of this project was to develop an outdoor club at Wausau East High School that would provide a variety of outdoor experiences while at the same time promote a positive influence on the development of the participants' environmental ethic. The author and a fellow colleague acted as advisors to the newly formed club. This paper details the steps used to develop an outdoor club and specific examples of club activities. Once the club was formed a number of concerns needed to be resolved. Things such as club structure, club funding, club activities and safety issues were discussed. Furthermore, the project wanted to document the value of participating in outdoor activities such as hiking and camping. Through environmental awareness and modeling responsible environmental behavior, the results of a brief study suggest that the participants' environmental ethic was affected in a positive manner. However; the duration of this effect was not looked at in this study. In general, the main goal of starting up a club that would provide opportunities for students to participate in a variety of outdoor activities was achieved. In future years, the outdoor club will provide similar annual trips/outings that contribute to the development of a positive environmental ethic and members look forward to coordinating the schools' recycling program. iii ACKNOWLEDGMENTS The author would like to thank his loving wife, Pamela and two daughters, Emma Kate and Cassandra Rose for their support and understanding while "Dad" was working on his coursework and completing this project. iv TABLE OF CONTENTS ABSTRACT .............................................................................................................. ii i ACKNOWLEDGMENTS ........................................................................................... i V TABLE OF CONTENTS .......................................................................................... V LIST OF APPENDICES ......................................................................................... vi INTRODUCTION ...................................................................................................... 1. The Statement of the Problem ...................................................... 1. The Subproblems of the Project .................................................. 1. Hypothesis ............................................................................................. 2. The limitations ................................................................................... 3. Assumptions ......................................................................................... 4. Definition of Terms ........................................................................... 5. Abbreviations ................................................................................., ..... 6. The Importance of the Project ..................................................... 6. REVIEW OF THE RELATED LITERATURE ....................................................... 10. Value of Outdoor Recreational Experiences ............................ 10. Connection Between Outdoor Experiences and Influence on an Environmental Ethic .......................................... 11. Research "Tool" used to measure Environmental Ethic .... 13. Formation of Outdoor Recreation Clubs .................................... 13. METHODOLOGY AND THE TREATMENT OF SUBPROBLEMS ...................... 19. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS OF THE PROJECT ........................................ 27. RECOMMENDATIONS ............................................................................................ 39. REFERENCES ........................................................................................................... 42. APPENDICES .......................................................................................................... 46. V LIST OF APPENDICES APPENDIX A: Outdoor Club Constitution ............................................... 46. APPENDIX B: Wausau East Staff Survey ............................................... 48. APPENDIX C: Initial Club Questionnaire ............................................... 50. APPENDIX D: Outdoor Club Mission Statement .................................. 52. APPENDIX E: Tentative Calendar of Planned Activities ................. 54. APPENDIX F: Outdoor Club Permission Slip ........................................ 56. APPENDIX G: Outdoor Club Emergency Form ....................................... 59. APPENDIX H: Lumberjack Recycling Program ...................................... 61. APPENDIX I: Adopt-A-Highway Form ..................................................... 75. APPENDIX J: Water Quality Monitoring ................................................. 79. APPENDIX K: Outdoor Equipment Checklist.. ........................................ 98. APPENDIX L: UW-SP Recreational Services Rental Info ............... 100. APPENDIX M: School District Courtesy Vehicle Form ..................... 103. APPENDIX N: Bus Trip Form ........................................................................ 105. APPENDIX 0: Pre-Assessment Questionnaire & Survey .................. 107. APPENDIX P: Post-Assessment Questionnaire & Survey .............. 110. APPENDIX Q: End of Year Questionnaire ................................................ 113. APPENDIX R: Porcupine Mtn. Trip Information ................................... 115. APPENDIX S: Blue Haven Horse Stables Information ...................... 123. APPENDIX T: Results of the Pre-Post Assessment Survey .......... 125. vi INTRODUCTION The Statement of the Problem The purpose of this project was to develop an outdoor club at Wausau East High School that would provide a variety of outdoor experiences with an emphasis on environmental awareness which would contribute to the development of a positive environmental ethic. The Subproblems of the Project The first subproblem was to develop an outdoor club consisting of students (Grades 9-12) and two faculty advisors. The second subproblem was to develop a mission statement for The Outdoor Club at Wausau East High School that reflected an emphasis on contributing to a positive environmental ethic. The third subproblem was to plan and carry-out a variety of activities which helped participants become environmentally aware and practice responsible environmental behaviors that contributed to the development of an environmental ethic. 1. The fourth subproblem was to provide funding for the activities carried out by The Outdoor Club. The fifth subproblem was to assess the affective (attitudes, locus of control, and degree of personal responsibility towards the environment) and behavior profile of participants prior to and following each club trip. The sixth subproblem was to develop an end of the year questionnaire that assessed the general activities of the club. Hypothesis The first hypothesis was that The Outdoor Club would be an effective medium that promoted responsible environmental behavior and contributed to developing a positive environmental ethic evaluated by pre-assessment and post-assessment questionnaire data. The second hypothesis was that club participants would enjoy the different activities and continue active involvement in future years. 2. The Limitations * The study was limited to the student participants in the newly formed Outdoor Club at Wausau East High School. * The Outdoor Club was a co-curricular activity taking place outside of the regular school day, with the exception of recycling pick-up during the homeroom and some field work done in the science classes by club members. * The Outdoor Club promoted one weekend or day activity each 9 week quarter and one activity during the summer months. * All club members did not participate in all the club activities. * Some club activities were limited to participants based on available equipment and room in vehicles. * The Club focused on environmental awareness, responsible environmental behaviors and developing an environmental ethic; not knowledge. * The study only assessed the environmental ethic of the participants based on a questionnaire adopted from the report, "Environmental Education in Wisconsin, Are we walking the talk" (Champeau, 1997). 3. Assumptions The first assumption was that there was a need for the formation of an outdoor club at Wausau East High School. The second assumption was that the students at Wausau East High School would become involved in club activities. The third assumption was that if outdoor experiences were promoted by the club, the level of interest, involvement and motivation among club members would continue to rise. The fourth assumption was that through a co-curricular experience the students would gain an appreciation for the outdoors which would contribute to developing an environmental ethic. The fifth assumption was that the affective and behavior profile questions chosen for the survey would reflect the participants environmental ethic. The sixth assumption was that the two club advisors would be able to take the time to chaperone weekend club activities such as