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This study examines the impact and outcomes of Dirt Divas, a mountain bike program designed to counteract the negative trends of female adolescence and support the developmental needs of this specific population. Study participants were 21 girls, ages 11-16, who were enrolled in one of two Dirt Divas programs in the summer of 2007. The purpose of this study was threefold: (a) to learn more about the significance of the experience in girls’ lives and determine how, if at all, girls are impacted by their participation; (b) to determine if program objectives are being met; and (c) to make a research-based contribution to the emergent scholarly field of girls outdoor adventure education. A mixed methods and triangulated design was employed, which allowed for the collection of both quantitative and qualitative data; qualitative data was analyzed using a grounded theory approach. The data indicates that the Dirt Divas program is generally (a) achieving its objectives, and (b) providing a positive experience to adolescent girls that impacts them in numerous ways. The findings of this study corroborate the results of earlier studies on this subject and support the notion that intentionally designed outdoor adventure programs can provide a variety of valuable and empowering experiences for girls and young women.
Advisor: | McKenney, Priscilla |
Commitee: | DeZeeuw-Spencer, Jordana, Pullman, Cydney, Whittington, Anja |
School: | Prescott College |
Department: | Education |
School Location: | United States -- Arizona |
Source: | MAI 47/01M, Masters Abstracts International |
Source Type: | DISSERTATION |
Subjects: | Womens studies, Curriculum development, Recreation |
Keywords: | Adolescent girls, Adventure education, Experiential education, Girls, Girls' development, Mountain biking |
Publication Number: | 1456727 |
ISBN: | 978-0-549-71608-2 |