Research

Most people involved in youth work or outdoor education agree that activity residentials present great opportunities for young people to grow personally, socially and spiritually. It can often be the time when they make the single biggest leap in self awareness and self understanding. This can have a profound effect on young people who have frequently felt themselves at the margins of society.

Process Research

BUT what is about the residential experience that makes this amazing personal growth possible? Is it

The new experiences
The sense of community
The real physical challenge
The supportive and caring environment

If we could understand what it is that makes the residential such a dynamic and life changing experience, then we would be able to make them even more dynamic and life changing.

Impact Research

The major problem, of course, is that it is very difficult to measure personal growth. Even if you agree that residentials can make a difference, it's very hard to say exactly what that difference is. There is a real need to develop accurate, consistent and robust methods of measuring the benefits of residentials.

Community Focus

In setting up a research project, it is very easy to get sucked into technical academic discussions which, while of some value, do not bring about real change. The research project we are initiating is entirely focused on bringing benefit to disadvantaged young people and the communities from which they come.

Research Material and Resources  ... Follow the link to some written resources of reflective and research material.