An outdoor adventure program for families positively contributed to family well-beingAccording to prior research, family participation in outdoor activities may help families enhance communication, strengthen family bonds, and improve family well-being. This study explored families’ experiences with the Kinship Programme, a South African outdoor adventure program that aims to foster connections between nature, children and families. By examining families’ experiences of the program, the study aimed to clarify how nature can foster family well-being.
A qualitative design was used to explore the experiences of South African families who had participated in the Kinship Programme. Five families, consisting of a total of 15 individual family members, including six children (age 6-11), were selected to participate in the study. Program activities included challenging outdoor activities such as hiking, rock climbing, and spending the night in a cave. Data was collected through semi-structured family interviews and collaborative family drawings. The drawings were used to engage the whole family in the interviews and were also analyzed as a data source. The interviews aimed to glean parents’ and children’s perspectives of spending time in nature as a family. Thematic analysis was conducted to identify themes and sub-themes emerging from the data.
Four main themes were identified: (1) <em>personal growth and development within the family</em>; (2) <em>strengthening familial relationships</em>; (3) <em>connecting with nature</em>; and (4) <em>fostering a sense of belonging</em>. The first theme revealed a sense of personal growth and development through participation in the program. Both parents and children reported that facing challenges and overcoming their fears facilitated growth in their confidence and resilience. Additionally, experiential learning fostered a range of concrete and abstract skills such as conflict resolution, persistence, and problem-solving. Strengthening familial relationships, the second theme, was evident in several subthemes, which included fostering positive interpersonal traits, sharing positive experiences, strengthening individual family bonds, and the value of the Kinship Programme to family well-being. Challenging activities fostered trust, communication, teamwork, patience, and attachment bonds between family members. Sharing positive experiences in nature shaped the family’s collective narrative. One-on-one bonds within the family were strengthened, including those between siblings and between parent and child. Because of these positive impacts to family well-being, families prioritized participating in the program despite their busy schedules. The theme connecting with nature included three sub-themes: embracing nature’s beauty and dualities, digital detox through connecting with nature, and creating authentic experiences. Children and parents often “expressed heartfelt appreciation for nature’s beauty and its natural wonders” while simultaneously describing physical discomfort during harsh conditions. Families greatly valued spending time away from technology and fast-paced lifestyles, which enabled them to feel fully present in nature. Being in nature also fostered authenticity and families reported that the outdoors was “a safe place where they did not have to worry about being judged or meeting standards.” The final theme focused on fostering a sense of belonging through three sub-themes: embracing diversity and a sense of community, social support, and learning from surrounding communities and different cultures. Families described a sense of belonging, community and inclusivity during the program, especially those with a neurodiverse child. The program’s supportive environment helped families from different backgrounds appreciate and respect one another. A few families also interacted with a rural Zulu village community, which provided the opportunity to learn about a culture different from their own.
Findings provide a rich description of how participation in the Kinship Programme positively contributed to family well-being. The researchers note that findings provide evidence of enhanced emotional, social, and psychological well-being within the family context. Findings are based on a single nature program in South Africa; research should continue to investigate how nature engagement can support family well-being. Future studies might involve more diverse populations or employ quantitative designs.
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