Impact of Outdoor Adventure Education Programs on Long-Term Environmental Sustainability Behaviors Among Youths in Ondo State, Nigeria
Keywords:
Outdoor adventure education programs; Environmental sustainability; Pro-environmental behaviors; Youths; Nigeria; Amusement parks; Sports
Abstract
This study examined how outdoor adventure education (OAE) programs influence the development of long-term environmental sustainability behaviors among youth in Ondo State, Nigeria. Using a descriptive survey design and questionnaire-based data collection, the research examined four key OAE contexts: amusement park, recreation, sports, and tourism. The study revealed a significant positive relationship between participation in these programs and sustainability behaviors among youths. Mean ratings across contexts ranged from 2.76 to 3.04, indicating consistent agreement. Statistical analysis further showed significant correlations between OAE context: amusement park (r = .660), recreation (r = .515), sports (r=.832), tourism (r=.703), and long-term environmental sustainability behaviors among youths (p < .05). The findings recommended that environmental education should be built into all amusement park programs for young visitors in Nigeria. Policymakers should promote a combined approach by linking parks, sports, recreation, and tourism programs to a single youth environmental education framework.
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5. Faiza, S., & Rohani, S. (2024). Environmental sustainability performance: Conceptual development, propositions, and future research directions. International Journal of Academic Research in Business and Social Sciences, 14(8), 353–371.
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7. Goudie, A. S. (2019). Human impact on the natural environment (8th ed.). Wiley.
8. Hanna, P., Wijesinghe, S., Paliatsos, I., Walker, C., Adams, M., & Kimbu, A. (2019). Active engagement with nature: Outdoor adventure tourism, sustainability and wellbeing. Journal of Sustainable Tourism, 27(9), 1355–1373.
9. Jamieson, L., & Ostermeyer, M. (2017). Government policy on sport and leisure: A six-country comparison. Recreation, Parks, and Tourism in Public Health, 1, 57–74.
10. Kuo, M., Barnes, M., & Jordan, C. (2019). Do experiences with nature promote learning? Converging evidence of a cause-and-effect relationship. Frontiers in Psychology, 10, 423551.
11. Maingi, C. S., & Shittindo, M. (2021). Impact of sporting activities on the environment in Kenya: Proposal for a specific policy on sports and environment. Journal of CMSD, 6(1), 55–82.
12. Molyneux, T. M., Zeni, M., & Oberle, E. (2023). Choose your own adventure: Promoting social and emotional development through outdoor learning. Early Childhood Education Journal, 51(8), 1525–1539.
13. Ngobua, D., Ibrahim, H., Shuaibu, Z., Shehu, A., Oke, J., & Kegbegbe, I. (2021). Poor maintenance leaves Nigeria’s sporting edifices in deplorable conditions. Daily Trust. https://dailytrust.com/poor-maintenance-leaves-nigerias-sporting-edifices-in-deplorable-conditions/
14. Odekunle, D., Unuigboje, R., & Ogodo, O. (2022). Outdoor sports recreation in Lagos and innovative practices promoting the engagement of residents in the activities. Democracy and Development Journal, 6(1), 1–27.
15. Ogunsemore, M. A. (2019). Facility provision, utilization and maintenance as predictors of sports participation and development in higher institutions in Lagos State, Nigeria. Journal of
16. Olajide, O., Adebisi, T. A., & Tewogbade, T. A. (2017). Assessment of laboratory resources, teachers’ and students’ involvement in practical activities in Basic Science in junior secondary schools in Osun State, Nigeria. Journal of Educational and Social Research, 7(3), 139–146.
17. Oyeleke, A. I., & Bakare, M. A. (2020). Recreation and social well-being among students of University of Lagos: Implication for social practice. International Journal of Behavioral Sciences, 2(2), 18–28.
18. Reid, P., & Kampman, H. (2020). Exploring the psychology of extended-period expeditionary adventurers: Going knowingly into the unknown. Psychology of Sport and Exercise, 46, Article 101608. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psychsport.2019.101608
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21. Snyder, H. (2019). Literature review as a research methodology: An overview and guidelines. Journal of Business Research, 104, 333–339. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbusres.2019.07.039
22. Spencer, B., Jones, T., Leyland, L. A., van Reekum, C. M., & Beale, N. (2019). ‘Instead of “closing down” at our ages … we’re thinking of exciting and challenging things to do’: Older people’s microadventures outdoors on (e-)bikes. Journal of Adventure Education and Outdoor Learning, 19(2), 124–139.
23. Tennakoon, M. S., Janadari, M. P., & Wattuhewa, I. D. (2024). Environmental sustainability practices: A systematic literature review. European Journal of Sustainable Development Research, 8(3), em0259.
24. Wang, H., Abbey, C., Kennedy, T., Feng, E., Li, R., Liu, F., & Singh, M. K. (2023). The association between screen time and outdoor time on adolescent mental health and academic performance: Evidence from rural China. Risk Management and Healthcare Policy, 369–381.
Published
2026-01-19
How to Cite
Bola D.Ojo, & Arowosafe, F. C. (2026). Impact of Outdoor Adventure Education Programs on Long-Term Environmental Sustainability Behaviors Among Youths in Ondo State, Nigeria. European Scientific Journal, ESJ, 49, 305. Retrieved from https://eujournal.org/index.php/esj/article/view/20543
Section
ESI Preprints
Copyright (c) 2026 Bola D.Ojo, Folusade C. Arowosafe
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
