The College Orientation Workshop as an Experiential, Positive Youth Development Program

Abstract

Background: The 4-week-long College Orientation Workshop (COW) is an experiential education program that combines physical and mental challenges with classroom instruction to promote self-confidence, self-control, wellness, and life success in promising male youth facing challenges to reaching their full potential. Purpose: This was an exploratory study to assess whether young men who completed the program manifested psychological and/or physical changes. Methodology/Approach: Sixteen young men were assessed at the beginning and end of the program. Physical measures included fitness test scores (pull-ups, sit-ups, push-ups, 1.5 mile run time), resting blood pressure, and pulse rate. Psychological variables included positive and negative affect, life satisfaction, self-esteem, self-efficacy, perceived control, self-control, impulsivity, social support, and subjective socioeconomic status. Findings/Conclusions: From pre- to post-COW, there were significant increases in self-esteem, positive affect, and sit-ups completed as well as significant decreases in run times, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, and heart rate. Several nonsignificant trends were also detected. Associations of psychological variables with fitness/health measures suggest that changes in the latter may be partly due to changes in the former. Implications: The COW Program may be an effective experiential education program. Follow-up studies with program participants are currently underway to determine longer term outcomes.