Adventure Awaits: Exploring Mindfulness Practices During Outdoor Adventures Trips

Abstract

An argument can be made that integrating mindfulness practices (MPs) into Outdoor Adventure (OA) programming can help students develop and expand on a variety of social and emotional attributes, such as stress reduction, awareness of the present moment, relationship skills, and maintaining psychosocial equilibrium. However, there is a paucity of empirical inquiry that specifically aims to explore in-depth participant experience using MPs in OA programs. The purpose of this qualitative study was to examine the perceived benefits that MPs provided university students during OA trips. The term Mindful Lived-Outdoor Experience (MLOE) was conceptualized to define a participant’s experience during an OA trip with MPs included. The findings suggest MPs are a beneficial component in adventure programming. The MPs promoted opportunity for participants to reduce stress and socially engage during the OA activity.