The OCA has been auspicing this research project, in partnership with a wide range of other organisations in the outdoors sector, being conducted by the Murdoch Childrens Research Institute (MCRI) into the benefits of outdoor adventure programs for young people in Australia since 2009. This research project is being conducted under the title of Outdoor Youth Programs Research Alliance (OYPRA) and many outdoor program operators were part of the initial survey of the outdoor sector back in 2009 which was a part of Phase 1 of this research. The full report from Phase 1 is available below.
Whilst the research has now started (Phase 2) we also made an application to the Australian Research Council for an Linkages Grant to fund the continuing research.
We are very excited to announce that on the 30 June the Australian Research Council announced outcomes of funding for those ARC Linkage Grants for 2013 and our application “The impact of outdoor youth programs on positive adolescent development: An empirical evaluation” has been successful in attracting $450,000 to the project over the next 3 years. This will be matched by funding and in kind support pledged by our partners. The fact that we have had a success with the Australian Research Council is, in itself, a real boost to our efforts to promote outdoor programs. It means that the value of the work has now been recognised on a national level.
Our University partner for this research is the University of Melbourne and it is great to have such a well respected university involved in the research.
We will keep you updated on this important research in the months ahead.