Wilderness Experience Programs in the United States: Dependence on and Use of Wilderness

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1 Wilderness Experience Programs in the United States: Dependence on and Use of Wilderness Chad P. Dawson Gregory T. Friese Jim Tangen-Foster Josh Carpenter Abstract Wilderness Experience Programs can be classified into three general types based on their primary aim: personal growth, education, and healing. These types represent three points on a continuum and provide a framework to better understand the program delivery methods used, dependence on wilderness to function as a Wilderness Experience Program, and the problems the Programs experience operating in wilderness. Wilderness Experience Programs are more dependent on the presence of wilderness characteristics than they are on legally designated wilderness. A survey of Wilderness Experience Programs indicated that approximately one-half of trip or program time is actually spent in wilderness, and the most often reported problems were encountering heavily impacted campsites and trails, agency use regulations, and conflicts with other wilderness uses and users. Wilderness Experience Programs have developed rapidly over the last two decades with interest in wilderness as both the setting for experiences and as part of the experience itself. A Wilderness Experience Program (WEP) can include educational, personal growth, therapeutic, healing, or leadership development goals. Growth in the number of these programs available nationwide, in the United States, as well as the number of participants involved is projected to continue into the near future (Easely and others 1990; Friese 1996; Hendee 1994; Hendee and Brown 1988; Hendee and Martin 1994; Krumpe 1990). Some of the more well known programs include Outward Bound and the National Outdoor Leadership School. Wilderness Experience Program providers include commercial operations, college programs, youth groups, religious organizations, and special interest groups. A defining characteristic of WEPs is the centrality of wilderness to the program experience or delivery. In: Watson, Alan E.; Aplet, Greg H.; Hendee, John C., comps Personal, societal, and ecological values of wilderness: Sixth World Wilderness Congress proceedings on research, management, and allocation, volume I; 1997 October; Bangalore, India. Proc. RMRS-P-4. Ogden, UT: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station. Chad P. Dawson is Professor, SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry, 1 Forestry Drive, Syracuse, NY U.S.A., cpdawson@syr.mailbox.edu. Gregory T. Friese is formerly a Graduate Student, Wilderness Research Center, University of Idaho, Moscow, ID U.S.A. Jim Tangen-Foster is Affiliate Assistant Professor, College of Forestry, Wildlife and Range Sciences, University of Idaho, Moscow, ID U.S.A. Josh Carpenter is Doctoral Student in Counseling, University of Idaho, Moscow, ID U.S.A. Wilderness Experience Programs use State and Federal wilderness, as well as other primitive areas, for outdoor adventure, education, therapy, and to achieve other goals. The recreation-type activities range from hiking, backpacking, canoeing, and camping to higher risk activities such as rock climbing, whitewater rafting, and solo travel across a wilderness area. Activities vary widely depending on program goals and may include leadership activities, group therapy techniques, or fasting and vision-questing. Some WEP activities are done in groups and some individually. The implications of these programs operating in wilderness include resource impacts (for example, large group campsites occupied for extended periods cause more vegetation and soil impacts than small groups traveling through a wilderness), interactions with other users (for example, competing for limited or preferred campsites), and wilderness management considerations (for example, requirements for group or outfitter permits, risk and safety issues). Concern by wilderness managers for Program impacts and how to manage them has been documented (Gager 1996; Krumpe 1990), but general descriptive information about Wilderness Experience Programs is limited. The purpose of this study was to classify these programs and characterize their program methods, program goals, dependence on wilderness to function as an Experience Program, and the problems they experienced operating as a WEP in wilderness. Such a classification serves to inform wilderness managers about WEPs and identify how their needs and goals differ in wilderness. Methods A nationwide list of 699 potential Wilderness Experience Programs in the United States was generated by Friese (1996) in an earlier study to develop a program classification scheme based on the main aim or goal of the Program, methods used to achieve those aims, and to characterize WEPs. That study achieved a 69 percent response to a mail survey and did not include college and youth programs (for example, Boy Scouts) that are not mainly oriented toward wilderness experiences, nor commercial outfitters and guides. The sample of 330 WEPs used in the mail survey for this study was based on the respondents to the previous study who met the criteria as true Wilderness Experience Programs, using criteria developed by Friese. Results of the earlier study by Friese and colleagues are USDA Forest Service Proceedings RMRS-P

2 reported in Friese (1996), Friese and others (1998a), and Friese and others (1998b). The mail survey was designed and implemented using a technique described by Salant and Dillman (1994) and modified to use only one reminder letter. Results and Discussion Of the initial sample of 330 Wilderness Experience Program organizations that were sent a mail questionnaire, 179 were returned (54 percent). The results were analyzed based on the primary aim of the organization as defined by Friese (1996): (1) personal growth expanded fulfillment of participant capabilities and potential, including empowerment, spiritual renewal, motivation, self-esteem, confidence, teamwork, or social skills; (2) education acquisition of knowledge, skills, and experiences to change behavior, increase and enhance understanding, enjoyment, and appreciation, or preservation of nature; and (3) healing participant therapy or recovery from addiction, disability, illness, abuse, or socially unacceptable behavior. Some WEPs were not able to state one primary aim due to their organizational complexity. Only 155 of the returned surveys indicated their organization s primary aim, and these returns were used in the analysis. The percentage distribution of the primary aims among organizations were: personal growth (47 percent), education (43 percent), and healing (10 percent). Wilderness Experience Programs use a continuum of methods, from wilderness as teacher to wilderness as classroom. Friese (1996) proposed a typology for WEPs based on three primary aims and nine methods to achieve those aims. The nine methods were later organized into a continuum of three themes: wilderness as a teacher, wilderness as a classroom, and wilderness as both a teacher and classroom. This study attempted to replicate Friese s original WEP classification by asking the same type of primary aim and method questions of WEP organizations. The results in table 1 indicate that the conclusions of Friese are supported with: (1) the educational-oriented WEPs most often reported using wilderness as a combined teacher and a classroom; (2) personal growth-oriented WEPs most often reported using wilderness as a teacher or wilderness as a classroom; and (3) healing-oriented WEPs most often reported using wilderness as a classroom. Two concerns for this approach were reported by Friese and were verified in this study: (1) many WEPs reported using two or more methods and could not report that just one main method was used (that is, columns in table 1 total more than 100 percent); and Table 1 Themes and methods by which organizations deliver Wilderness Experience Programs (WEP) by primary aim of the organization. Themes and methods to achieve primary aim Education Personal growth Healing Percent Wilderness as teacher Mountains speak for themselves participants experience the wilderness and participate in outdoor recreation activities. a Reflection help participants to realize or affirm goals, talents, and values, and see discrepancies between different life roles Rite of passage and initiation facilitates and celebrates participant s transition from one life phase to another. a Wilderness as teacher and classroom Environmental education help participants understand the natural world and their relationship or connection to it through observation and interpretation. a Expedition learning participants share responsibility and learn by organizing, planning, and participating in a wilderness expedition Field classroom uses a field setting to facilitate learning of ecology and biology through lecture, discussion, and research. a Wilderness as a classroom Challenge and adventure activities activities used to build skills, self esteem, group problem-solving, and leadership Conscious use of metaphor the wilderness experience is used as a metaphor for events and challenges in participant s life Counseling instructors provide feedback and structure to help participants be accountable and responsible for inappropriate personal and group behavior. a a Significant difference between the three organizational groups: Chi-square > 7.9, 2 df, p < USDA Forest Service Proceedings RMRS-P

3 Table 2 Goals for participants in Wilderness Experience Programs (WEP) by primary aim of the organization. Goal types and goals for participants Education Personal growth Healing Percent Wilderness-related goals Increase responsible wilderness behavior a Transfer wilderness experience learning to life a Develop outdoor skills a Promote advocacy and action for wilderness a Personal development goals Increase confidence a Learn to work with others Develop group problem-solving skills Assume responsibility for self and choices a Enhance decisionmaking skills Enhance communication skills Enhance goal-setting abilities Increase spirituality a Health-related goals Therapeutic assessment of client needs a Participant rehabilitation or recovery a a a Significant difference between the three organizational groups: Chi-square > 7.8, 2 df, p < (2) specific classification is difficult for a significant percentage of WEPs due to multiple aims and methods. For example, only five of the nine methods had statistically significant differences when comparing which WEP types were using each method. Thus, the WEP classification is better described as a continuum of methods and has the greatest utility as a means to characterize and understand WEP use of wilderness. Wilderness Experience Programs are multidimensional in their programing for participants. WEPs were asked to indicate which of 14 goals for participants were used to achieve the primary aim of their organization (table 2), and multiple goals were often indicated by respondents. These results also support the idea of forming an overlapping continuum because a majority of WEPs from all three primary aim categories reported that six to eight personal development goals were part of their programs for participants. Similarly, three to four of the wildernessrelated goals were reported by a majority of education and personal growth WEPs as part of their programs, and over one-third of healing WEPs reported three of the goals as part of their programs for participants. Finally, the two healthrelated goals were reported by a majority of healing WEPs. Even though nine of the 14 methods had statistically significant differences when comparing which Programs planned for each goal across the three primary aims, there was wide distribution of goal utilization by the WEPs within each primary aim WEP. Like the method types reported in table 1, the goals for participants represent a continuum with no primary aim Program working exclusively within one goal type. These results suggest the multidimensionality of these Programs, which are providing complex programming for a wide variety of participants in a wilderness setting. Wilderness Experience Programs see themselves as dependent on wilderness for their program delivery. The very definition of WEPs indicates the strong relationship with wilderness and the seeming dependence on the wilderness resource for program existence and delivery. A more direct measure of dependence on wilderness was reported by these Programs in their self-rating of their program dependence on wilderness characteristics to deliver their program successfully. The majority of all three types of WEPs (75 to 92 percent) reported that the wilderness resource was necessary for program delivery by rating their Program as somewhat to highly dependent on wilderness characteristics (table 3). Only a minority of WEPs reported that their Program was somewhat dependent on wilderness characteristics, and none reported not at all dependent. No statistically significant differences were found between the three WEP types and the levels of dependence on wilderness characteristics. The majority of educational WEPs reported that they spent 50 percent or less of their total trip or program time in wilderness areas (table 4). The majority of healing WEPs reported that they spent 50 percent or less of their total trip or program time in wilderness areas, but a notable number (31 percent) reported spending 76 to 100 percent of their total trip or program time in wilderness areas. The majority of personal growth WEPs reported that they spent 31 percent or more of their total trip or program time in wilderness areas. The reported percentage of wilderness use range was very wide and reflected the diversity of programs offered and variety of means for program delivery. For example, some educational programs spend considerable time in a classroom setting to prepare for the wilderness experience, while some experiential programs for personal USDA Forest Service Proceedings RMRS-P

4 Table 3 Wilderness Experience Program (WEP) perceived dependence on wilderness characteristics by primary aim of the organization. Dependence on wilderness characteristics a Education Personal growth Healing Percent Highly dependent Moderately dependent Somewhat dependent Not at all dependent Total a No significant difference between the three organizational groups: Chi-square > 6.3, 4 df, p > growth focus on immersion in the wilderness activities. Statistically significant differences were found between the three WEP types and five levels of reported percentage of use in a wilderness area. A second measure of dependence on wilderness was reported by the Programs in their rating of program dependence on Federal wilderness areas for successful program delivery. A majority of all three types of WEPs (50 to 57 percent) reported that Federally designated wilderness areas were necessary for program delivery by rating their WEP as somewhat to highly dependent on Federal wilderness (table 5). A minority of WEPs (17 to 25 percent) reported that their Program was not dependent at all on Federal wilderness. No statistically significant differences were found between the three WEP types and four levels of dependence on wilderness characteristics. It seems that dependence on Federal wilderness is related to the geographic proximity to Federal wilderness areas. Some Progams use State wilderness areas where Federal lands are not available or are not close to the program or its users. Wilderness Experience Programs perceived regulations and heavily impacted campsites and trails as their greatest potential problems. A variety of perceived problems in using wilderness areas were reportedly encountered by WEPs in both program planning and delivery. Wilderness Experience Programs were asked to rate their level of difficulty with 19 different potential problems, using five response categories: not a problem, somewhat a problem, a moderate problem, quite a problem, and an extreme problem. The rating of these 19 potential problems was very similar for all three primary aim WEP categories, with only two problems having statistically significant differences but not at a level that would require differences in wilderness management. Only one problem was listed by a majority of Programs (50 to 64 percent) as a moderate to extreme problem, and that related to heavily impacted campsites and trails in wilderness areas. Since the ratings were so widely spread across the five response categories, the analysis in table 6 is based on the average response with numerical ratings from one through five. The only potential problem that had an average rating near a moderate problem level was heavily impacted campsites and trails in wilderness areas. A related problem, but rated lower, was the perception by some WEPs that there was inadequate maintenance of trails and campsites. Three other potential facility and service problems were not, on average, rated very high as problems. Seven of eight potential problems in the regulatory environment were rated, on average, as somewhat to moderate problems for WEPs. The four perceived problems rated highest were: (1) obtaining special use permits, (2) advanced registration, (3) group size restrictions, and (4) general agency use regulations. Since these regulations were generally intended to manage use and to minimize impacts on the wilderness resource, particularly at campsites and along trails, this appears to be contrary to the WEPs concern for perceived impacts of users on the resources at campsites and along trails. Another interpretation of their perception of these regulatory problems suggests that it is also the Table 4 Percentage of total trip or program time spent in wilderness by primary aim of the organization. Percentage of total trip or Program time a Education Personal growth Healing Percent to to to to to Total a Significant difference between the three organizational groups: Chi-square > 16.4, 8 df, p < USDA Forest Service Proceedings RMRS-P

5 Table 5 Wilderness Experience Program (WEP) perceived dependence on federally designated wilderness by primary aim of the organization. Perceived dependence on federally designated wilderness a Education Personal growth Healing Percent Highly dependent Moderately dependent Somewhat dependent Not at all dependent Total a No significant difference between the three organizational groups: Chi-square > 1.6, 6 df, p > implementation of those regulations that is part of the perceived problem and not the intent of the regulations. For example, obtaining a special use permit may be different for an educational institution group compared to a commercial operation one may be free while the other is based on gross revenues; however, both may take the same number of people, partake in the same activities, stay in the same location, and have the same impacts on the resource. Two other perceived regulatory problems that were reportedly somewhat of a problem and related to Program delivery costs involved insurance needed to operate a WEP and wilderness user fee systems. Three other situations perceived as somewhat of a problem were related to the wilderness conditions encountered. The presence of grazing and mining activities in wilderness areas, while permitted in some areas under Federal wilderness legislation, was perceived by respondents as somewhat of a problem to a moderate problem. Two additional perceived problems were rated as somewhat of a problem and were related to other users in the wilderness: lack of opportunity for solitude and conflicts with other wilderness users (table 6). Given the general increase in wilderness use, it is not surprising that WEPs report lack of opportunities for solitude, which implies crowding or widespread use Table 6 Problems for Wilderness Experience Programs (WEP) operating in a wilderness area by primary aim of the Wilderness Experience Program organization. Problems for Wilderness Experience Programs a Education Personal growth Healing Average rating Facilities and services Heavily impacted campsites and trails Inadequate maintenance of trails and campsites Inadequate access and facilities for persons with disabilities Unavailability of medical services Lack of improved facilities b Regulatory environment Special use permits Group size restrictions Agency use regulations Advanced registration Insurance needed to operate WEP User fees Restricted use areas Restrictions on moto Wilderness experience conditions Other wilderness uses such as grazing and mining Lack of opportunities for solitude Conflicts with other wilderness users Private inholdings Danger from wild animals b Harrassment from wild animals a Response categories were: 1 = not a problem, 2 = somewhat a problem, 3 = moderate problem, 4 = quite a problem, and 5 = extreme problem. b Significant difference between the three organizational groups and four categories of response (responses in the quite a problem and extreme problem categories were combined for statistical tests): Chi-square > 21, 6df, p < USDA Forest Service Proceedings RMRS-P

6 in wilderness areas. Furthermore, since WEPs use wilderness areas in relatively large groups (often for reasons of economy of scale) and plan specific activities and programs, it is inevitable that they would come into conflict with other users who are using the same campsites, trails, and activity sites. Conclusions This study has demonstrated what Friese (1996) proposed, that WEPs can be classified into three general types based on primary aim: personal growth, education, and healing. However, it is important to note that these types represent three points on a continuum and provide a framework to better understand the different program delivery methods used by these Programs. These three WEP types and the continuum of aims and program delivery methods they represent are one indication of the multidimensionality of Experience Programs that are providing complex programming for participants in a wilderness setting. A majority of WEPs perceived themselves as dependent on wilderness characteristics and Federal wilderness areas for program delivery, but there was no difference between the three WEP types in these perceived dependencies. These findings stand in contrast to a study of managers who overwhelmingly perceived WEPs as not being dependent on designated wilderness (Gager 1996; Gager and others 1998). Hendee and others (1990) have recommended that wilderness management should favor wilderness-dependent activities and users over those that can be conducted somewhere else. Since WEPs are more dependent on the presence of wilderness characteristics than they are on Federally provided wilderness areas, some WEPs or some WEP trips or portions of programs may be delivered successfully in an area that has wilderness characteristics but is not designated as a Federal wilderness area. Krumpe (1990) has recommended that WEPs should be encouraged to use nonwilderness areas if they do not depend on wilderness conditions, engage in nonwilderness-dependent activities, or if the Program use causes disproportionate impacts to the wilderness resource or other wilderness user experiences. Each of the three WEP types reported comparable ratings for perceived problems in using wilderness areas with the most often reported problems listed as heavily impacted campsites and trails, agency use regulations, and conflicts with other wilderness uses and users. Wilderness Experience Programs, like all wilderness users, have an impact on wilderness resources and on other users. The education and personal growth type Programs are attempting to minimize their impacts on wilderness resources and on other users by seeking to achieve three kinds of goals for the participants: (1) to increase responsible wilderness behavior, (2) to develop outdoor skills, and (3) to promote advocacy and action for wilderness. Such goals are not highly rated by healing type Programs, but do not necessarily reflect a lower wilderness ethic. Wilderness Experience Programs provide many human benefits (for example, healthy bodies and sound minds) to participants and are an important use of wilderness (Easely and others 1990; Hendee 1994; Hendee and Brown 1988; Hendee and Martin 1994; Krumpe 1990), particularly if they support the preservation of our wilderness resources for present and future generations. All WEPs included in this study are dependent to some degree on using areas with wilderness characteristics. Krumpe (1990) and Gager (1996) have cautioned that wilderness managers need to understand these Experience Programs and their benefits and impacts. Wilderness managers need to better understand WEPs and work with them to foster a better appreciation of wilderness as a resource for a variety of users, appropriate wilderness use and user behavior, and the need for wilderness management. Acknowledgments This project was partially supported by the Wilderness Research Center at the University of Idaho, the McIntyre- Stennis Program of Forestry Research, and the SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry. The involvement and encouragement of John Hendee in this study is appreciated. References Easely, A.; Passineau, J.; Driver, B., eds The use of wilderness for personal growth, therapy, education. Gen. Tech. Rep. RM-193. Fort Collins, CO: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Forest and Range Experiment Station. 197 p. Friese, G. T An inventory and classification of wilderness experience programs. Moscow, ID: University of Idaho. 148 p. Thesis. Friese, G. T.; Kinziger, M.; Hendee, J. 1998a. History, status and prospects for use of wilderness for personal growth. In: Cordell, K Outdoor recreation and wilderness in American life. Sagamore Publishers. Friese, G. T.; Kinziger, M.; Hendee, J. 1998b. The wilderness experience program industry in the United States: characteristics and dynamics. Journal of Experiential Education. June Gager, D Agency policies and wilderness manager attitudes toward wilderness experience programs. Moscow, ID: University of Idaho. Thesis. Gager, D.; Hendee, J.; Kinziger, M.; Krumpe, E. [In press]. Agency policies and wilderness managers attitudes toward wilderness experience programs. Journal of Forestry. Hendee, J. C.; Brown, M How wilderness experience programs work for personal growth, therapy, and education: an exploratory model. In: Hendee, J. C., ed. The highest use of wilderness: using wilderness experience programs to develop human potential: special symposium proceedings, Fourth World Wilderness Congress; 1987 September 16; Estes Park, CO. Moscow, ID: University of Idaho, Wilderness Research Center: Hendee, J. C.; Stankey, G.; Lucas, R Wilderness management. Rev. 2d ed. Golden, CO: North American Press and Fulcrum Publishing. 546 p. Hendee, J. C.; Martin, V., eds International wilderness, allocation, management and research. Symposia proceedings from the Fifth World Wilderness Congress; 1993 September 28; Tromso, Norway. Moscow, ID: University of Idaho. 334 p. Hendee, J. C Wilderness experience programs for personal growth, therapy, education, and leadership development: Their extent, social, economic, and ecological impact, and natural resource policy implications. A Research Proposal. Moscow, ID: University of Idaho, Wilderness Research Center. Krumpe, E Managing wilderness for education and human development: a bane or a blessing? In: Preparing to manage wilderness in the 21st century; proceedings of the conference: 1990 April 4; Athens, GA. Gen. Tech. Rep. SE-66. Asheville, NC: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Southeastern Forest Experiment Station: Salant, P.; Dillman, D How to conduct your own survey. New York: John Wiley & Sons. 232 p. 104 USDA Forest Service Proceedings RMRS-P