Effects of outdoor adventures on emerging adults’ well-being and connection with nature

Abstract

While well-being and health benefits of nature are increasingly recognized, young people’s decreasing contact with nature has raised concerns. The emerging adulthood period is seen as critical for ongoing participation in outdoor recreation. This mixed methods study examines how participation in an outdoor education course, including canoeing and hiking trips, affects participants’ perceived well-being and connection with nature. The study is based on survey and interview data collected from Finnish vocational students (N = 16) in 2020. The results showed that the outdoor adventures had positive impacts on participants’ mood, restoration, and life satisfaction. Participants highlighted the benefits on social relationships and group cohesion. The trips increased participants’ nature-related curiosity and motivation to engage with nature. Providing opportunities for contact with nature as part of the school curriculum in vocational training as well as in other studies might provide an effective means of promoting well-being and connection with nature in emerging adults.