The impact of outdoor pursuits on college students’ perceived sense of community

A primary purpose of one form of leisure experience outdoor pursuits programs is the development of positive interpersonal relationships and group experiences that lead to enhanced sense of community. However, there is a distinct lack of research related to psychological sense of community and involvement with nature. The purpose of this study was to understand the relationship between college students participation in outdoor pursuits trips and changes in their perceptions of sense of community over time. Both quantitative and qualitative data were collected. Findings from this study indicated that there was a significant increase in sense of community as a result of participation in outdoor pursuits trips.