Outdoors Research & Projects
The Australian Camps Association (ACA) is committed to collaborating on projects which either explore and establish the benefits of outdoor adventure activities or enable us to implement better risk management frameworks.
The ACA and its members are convinced that there are many benefits that come from involvement in outdoor adventure activities. We are also serious about managing any risks involved in participating in these activities.
Below are some of the projects that we are, or have been, involved in, as well as some overseas projects that we are aware of.
I hope you find them as interesting as I do.
David Petherick
CEO
Murdoch Childrens Research Institute – Outdoor Youth Programs Research
Proposed collaborative research project
The Murdoch Childrens Research Institute has provided this executive summary (PDF 94KB) of a proposed major collaborative research project looking at the benefits of outdoor youth programs. The ACA are currently working closely with potential industry partners to get this project off the ground. If we are successful the project will be a very significant one for the outdoors sector.
The Role of Human Factors in Led Outdoor Activity Incidents: Literature Review and Exploratory Analysis
Human Factors Team, Monash University Accident Research Centre
The aim of this research was to explore the involvement of Human Factors in led outdoor activity incidents, and to suggest and to demonstrate the utility of a framework for studying such incidents.
1. Literature review. A literature review focussing on led outdoor activity accidents and
incidents was undertaken. The aim of the review was to ascertain what is currently
known about such accidents and incidents, to distil the Human Factors issues which
have already been implicated, to identify gaps in current knowledge, and to suggest a
more comprehensive and relevant framework to aid the understanding of incident
causation in the led outdoor activity sector. 2. Exploratory case study analyses. In order to demonstrate the potential utility of
applying theoretically underpinned, systems-based accident analysis methodologies
within the led outdoor activity domain, three led outdoor activity accidents were
analysed using two systems-based accident analysis methods. The findings from these
analyses were then compared to those derived from an analysis, which used a
framework developed in the led outdoor activity domain. Read the Executive Summary or download a PDF version (60KB). Download the Full Final Report (PDF 1.1MB) See a presentation on the literature review (PDF 900KB) made to a stakeholder group in September 2009 See a presentation of exploratory case studies (PDF 1.3MB) made to a stakeholder group in September 2009 Feedback about any aspect of this report should be sent to Murray Tucker Centre for Tourism Research, University of Canberra This report (PDF
650KB) draws on research from education, recreation, leisure,
tourism, sport, adult learning, health, and therapy to highlight
the evidence of the positive contributions of outdoor adventure
activities. Sydney University researchers have suggested that children who spend more time outdoors are less likely to develop short-sightedness. Hear a recent ABC program about this issue.
Institute for Outdoor
Learning (UK) ‘We are convinced that out-of-classroom
education enriches the curriculum and
can improve educational attainment.’ High Quality Outdoor Education: A guide to recognising ... (PDF version 3.3MB - caution
large file) Countryside
Recreation Network Recent research has started to examine the links between use
of the outdoors, access to greenspace and human health. As
we face contemporary health challenges, such as a growth in
levels of obesity and stress, medical researchers, physiologists
and social scientists have turned to examine the outdoors and
natural spaces’ potential for alleviating such health
problems. Children
in the Outdoors: A literature review (PDF 1.1 MB) 
3. Workshop. A workshop involving project stakeholders, led outdoor activity personnel,
and researchers from MUARC was held in order to disseminate the research findings
and to determine the most appropriate way forward for the subsequent phases of this
research.
Australian Outdoor Adventure Activity Benefits Catalogue
Myopia slowed by outdoors
High Quality Outdoor Education:
A guide to recognising and
achieving High Quality Outdoor Education in Schools, Youth
Services, Clubs and Centres
This guide focuses
on high quality in outdoor education – what it looks
like and how to achieve it. It recognises that
high-quality outdoor education takes
place not only in schools and outdoor
education centres but equally in youth
services and voluntary youth
organisations, as well as outdoor
activity clubs that cater for young
people.
House of Commons Education and
Skills Committee Report ‘Education
Outside the Classroom’
January 2005
Children in the Outdoors: A literature review