Understanding the Influence of Gender and Ethnicity on Evaluations of Outdoor Leader Effectiveness.

This study examines the influence of gender and ethnicity on evaluations of leader effectiveness involving a short-term wilderness education programme in the United States. Data were obtained from adolescents (ages 15 to 19, n = 503) participating in the Student Conservation Association's national Conservation Work Crew summer programme (CWC). There were two objectives: 1) to determine how the CWC experience differs for female and male participants, and those from varying ethnic backgrounds, and 2) to examine the impact of crew leaders in mediating the perceived quality of the experience. Although the majority of participants rated the experience favourably, females gave the SCA experience a more positive evaluation (on average) than males, and white participants indicated higher ratings than non-whites. As predicted, the perceived quality of the crew leaders mediated the relationship between gender and ethnicity, and the impact of this outdoor experience on participants. Results of this study highlight the importance of not only recognising differences across ethnic and gender lines among programme participants, we must also emphasise effective communication skills if outdoor leaders are to be effective with a diverse audience. Results also emphasise the need to better understand the role of leaders in providing quality wilderness experiences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]