Recreation and Leisure Studies

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This is the collection for the University of Waterloo's Department of Recreation and Leisure Studies.

Research outputs are organized by type (eg. Master Thesis, Article, Conference Paper).

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Now showing 1 - 20 of 240

Aboriginal participation in sport: Critical issues of race, culture and power.
(University of Waterloo, 2009-10-28T19:11:54Z) Henhawk, Daniel
This study is a qualitative examination of my lived experiences and the lived experiences of my immediate family in sport. Using critical race theory (CRT) as my guiding theoretical framework, this research project answers Denzin’s (2003) call to advance “a radical performative social science” that “confront[s] and transcend[s] the problems surrounding the colour line in the 21st century” (p.5). As such, the purpose of this project was to explore issues of race, culture and power within our lived sport experiences and to present these experiences in such way so as to unpack the tensions associated with being an Aboriginal person living in today’s Canadian society.
Addressing Cultural Vulnerabilities in Arctic Tourism: Kindness as 'Third Space'
(University of Waterloo, 2016-09-20) Leeming, Julie
The changing climate and its impending impacts on Northern regions has ultimately initiated increased interest in Arctic tourism, providing tourists with a rationale for travel to these regions before they deteriorate further, or completely vanish (Lemelin et al., 2010; Hall & Saarinen, 2010). Previous research examining impacts of tourism in Arctic regions denotes that when tourism is introduced into rural and sparsely populated arctic regions, local communities may become overwhelmed by the influx of visitors, causing various forms of social tension, and more prominent feelings of invasion and vulnerability (Fay & Karlsdottir, 2011; Kajan, 2014). While there is evidence that tourism can easily foster impersonal and hostile relationships between tourists and host populations, it is imperative to also recognize that trust and understanding between cultures in tourism can exist in situations or encounters where tourists and hosts can move beyond the prescriptions or constructions that solidify cultural difference, and beyond “the constraints of a dominant hegemonic culture,” into what is termed the third space – a space that creates an intercultural context for symbolic interaction (Wearing & Wearing, 2006, p. 153). Using tourism in Iceland as a context, this thesis seeks to define and discuss the third space framework through the narratives of Icelandic hosts and visiting tourists, and their positive encounters of kindness and responsibility. Results of this ethnographic inquiry revealed that such encounters do have the potential to bridge initial feelings of cultural difference and vulnerability, ultimately creating a space of mutual understanding and cultural learning between the host and tourist, and enabling increased resiliency among the host population. This study also revealed specific social/cultural, spatial/environmental, and temporal circumstances enabling kindness to function in a tourism context.
Adolescent Identity Development: The Relationship with Leisure Lifestyle and Motivation
(University of Waterloo, 2007-09-11T20:33:06Z) Campbell, Jennifer
Identity development is a crucial process which occurs during the period of adolescence (Erikson, 1950, 1968). Researchers have suggested that the adolescent period is becoming prolonged due to increasing numbers of individuals pursuing post-secondary education (Kerckhoff, 2002; Larson, 2002; Mortimer & Larson, 2002). During this period known as “post-adolescence”, further identity formation is believed to take place (Mortimer & Larson, 2002). Despite these suggestions, little research has been performed regarding identity development during post-adolescence. In addition, the role of leisure during the identity formation period has largely been overlooked. The few studies that have been conducted on this topic focus on the relationship between leisure participation and identity development, while failing to acknowledge the role of other salient leisure lifestyle variables such as leisure experience, motivation and meaningfulness. In addition, previous studies have used global measures of identity, rather than considering separate dimensions of personal and social identity. The present study expands upon previous literature by investigating personal and social identity development during post-adolescence, and the relationship between identity and a variety of leisure lifestyle variables. Participants included 465 students from the University of Waterloo. Questionnaires were completed regarding leisure participation, meaningfulness derived from participation, leisure experience, motivation and identity. Results of the study indicate that identity development is still occurring during the period of post-adolescence. Leisure participation, meaningfulness, leisure experience and motivation all displayed some degree of a relationship with identity. Personal and social identities yielded differing associations with these leisure lifestyle factors. Personal identity was most strongly related to leisure experience, while social identity was associated with leisure motivation. Although causality cannot be inferred from the results of this study, indications do exist that these leisure lifestyle variables may exert some influence on the identity development process.
An Analysis of Cruise Ship Management Policies in Parks and Protected Areas in the Eastern Canadian Arctic
(University of Waterloo, 2006) Marquez, Janet
This study establishes an initial understanding of the state of cruise tourism in the Eastern Canadian Arctic. Two specific objectives were fulfilled; a) to develop an understanding of the goals and operational procedures of current cruise ship operators, and b) to provide insight into the policies that may be necessary for Parks Canada and the Canadian Wildlife Service to enhance management in parks and protected areas.

Cruise tourism in the Eastern Canadian Arctic is a relatively new industry. At present, there is a lack of inclusive government guidelines for the Canadian cruise tourism industry. The steady increase of cruise tourism traffic in the region since 1984 suggests the potential for environmental and social impacts to this fragile polar region. There is a need for the creation of guidelines to direct this tourism activity.

A literature review identified the current state of the cruise line industry in the Eastern Canadian Arctic, Antarctic and Alaskan waters. The policy requirements pertaining to cruise tourism in parks and protected areas were identified including the current management strategies for tourism employed in Northern Canadian parks and protected areas.

Content analysis of current cruise tourism literature themes, which were used to create and conduct interviews that explored these themes. From these findings, data was used to create a policy formation framework that will assist in the planning and management of cruise tourism in the Eastern Canadian Arctic.

The results indicated that cruise tourism in the Eastern Canadian Arctic is percevied as a safe and economically viable industry. The research found a high degree of coherence between the literature and the opinion of the stakeholders in regards to key issues that need to be addressed. Such issues include the need for greater academic research on this topic; the need for policies and guidelines to aid in the management of parks and protected areas in polar regions; a need for unity and cohesion in the Arctic Cruise Tourism Industry and finally, greater government awareness and assistance given to the cruise tourism industry in the Eastern Canadian Arctic. There was also a high degree of enthusiasm from the stakeholders for inter-group and interagency cooperation. This enthusiasm bodes well for the future of cruise tourism policy creation in the Eastern Canadian Arctic.

This thesis proposes a structure for the way forward.
An Analysis of Factors that Lead to Commitment to Parks and Protected Areas
(University of Waterloo, 2015-01-14) Flannery, Patrick Dylan
The purpose of this study was to understand elements of park visitors’ commitment to parks and protected areas with focus on psychological commitment to several Alberta provincial parks. The study sought to examine both single and combined effects of age, gender, and socio-economic status (SES) on psychological commitment. Several linear regression models were used for this analysis. Some of the more notable findings included: women control the decision to visit a park significantly more than men do; older adults were significantly more committed than younger adults; high SES visitors were significantly more committed than low SES visitors; and finally, the age by commitment association was moderated by economic motivations in that the high economically motivated visitors were significantly more committed at a younger age.
Are We There Yet? Parent's Perceptions of Risk Associated with Family Vacations
(University of Waterloo, 2009-04-13T18:57:27Z) Waite, Jaclyn Alicia
The study explored risk perceptions and novelty dimensions associated with family vacations. In particular, the study focused on households containing married or common law partners, blended families, single parents and same-sex partners, with at least one child aged twelve years old or younger, located in one of the Region of Waterloo’s three cities, encompassing Kitchener, Waterloo, and Cambridge, Ontario. The research explored whether novelty or familiarity of a vacation destination affected the level of risk perceived as well as the locus of control. Additionally the research focused on particular aspects of the family vacation including the decision making process and the stage of the family life cycle in which respondents are categorized, having either younger or older children, affected the decision making process. Lastly, the study looked at external sources of information including family and/or friends, other sources of information, prior experience at the destination, if applicable, and the distance traveled, borders crossed and transportation utilized. Families in each specified area were initially accessed through five direct contacts and an associated snowball sampling method. A revised data collection method was utilized part way through the study being distribution at a recreation centre within the Region. Respondents were asked to complete a self-administered questionnaire containing questions relating to their last family vacation, preferences for novelty/familiarity, locus of control orientation, degree of risk perception agreement or disagreement and basic sociodemographic characteristics. Data were reduced to minimize complexity through a series of factor analyses through the use of components analysis. It involved taking salient items and factoring them together based on the conceptual fit within each loading having eight components created. T-tests and analyses of variance were utilized to further univariate relationships between variables of interest. Relationships between perceived risk, gender and prior experience were non-significant (p > .05) whereas family life cycle, level of education, crossing an international border, and total distance traveled had a significant effect on risk perceptions (p < .05) and were included in stepwise regression analyses. The present study complemented emerging literature suggesting that parents with older children attributing greater risks as associated with creating memories. There was less support for extant research indicating that families with younger children are more likely to associate as many risks with travel. Similarly, preference for novelty/familiarity was found to not have a significant effect on respondents’ risk perceptions yet certain external sources of information (e.g., friends/family, travel agents) played a large role in the level of risk perceptions.
Assessing Visitors' Satisfaction at Parks Canada Sites
(University of Waterloo, 2012-05-08T21:21:05Z) Banyai, Maria
This study addresses the measurement of satisfaction. In doing so, it proposes a hypothetical conceptual framework for examining visitors’ satisfaction with their experiences in nature-based settings. Visitors’ overall satisfaction with their experiences was examined in terms of its relationships to visitors’ satisfaction with various site attributes, to visitors’ perceived importance of interpretive programs to learning, and how it is affected by visitors’ age, gender (male or female) and visitation pattern. The responses of 1309 Visitor Information Program (VIP) surveys returned by visitors to two national sites in Nova Scotia (Port Royal National Historic Site and Kejimkujik National Park and National Historic Site) provided the data for this study’s investigation. Secondary data analyses revealed that visitors’ satisfaction with the site attributes has the strongest effect on their overall satisfaction with their experiences. While visitors’ perceived importance to learning was also found to be positively correlated to overall experience satisfaction, when other variable are taken into consideration, its effect on overall satisfaction was found not to be statistically significant. Amongst these variables, gender was found to explain a significant amount of variance in visitors’ overall satisfaction with experiences in nature-based settings. Moreover, visitors of different age groups differ significantly in their perceptions of importance of interpretation to learning, and in their satisfaction levels. Although the findings show high levels of satisfaction at both sites, these are taken with caution. A discussion of the issues related to the measurement of satisfaction is provided, along with recommendations for a more discriminant, valid and reliable satisfaction measurement instrument.
Associations of Moral Disengagement, Passion, and Competitive Anger and Aggressiveness with Attitudes toward Performance Enhancing Drugs in Sport
(University of Waterloo, 2015-01-05) Wilson, Austin Wade
The main purpose of the study was to explore relationships between moral disengagement in sport and attitudes toward performance enhancing drugs. Additionally, the purpose was to explore specific mechanisms of moral disengagement in sport in relation to attitudes toward performance enhancing drugs and the role that emotion might play in this relationship. A secondary purpose of the study was to investigate relationships between moral disengagement in sport with a variety of factors that have not been associated with moral disengagement in sport before (i.e., competitive anger and aggressiveness and obsessive and harmonious passion). Participants were 587 male and female varsity and co-ed intramural athletes from four Southern Ontario universities. Athletes completed a battery of scales that assessed moral disengagement in sport, attitudes toward performance enhancing drugs, guilt and shame, obsessive and harmonious passion, and competitive anger and aggressiveness. Results for the primary research questions indicated that moral disengagement in sport positively predicted attitudes toward performance enhancing drugs. More specifically, the non-responsibility mechanism of moral disengagement in sport was the only mechanism that positively predicted more lenient attitudes toward performance enhancing drugs, while advantageous comparison was a significant negative predictor of attitudes toward performance enhancement drugs. The results indicated that emotion had no moderation effect on the relationship between moral disengagement in sport and attitudes toward performance enhancing substances. In relation to the secondary research questions, data indicated that competitive anger and aggressiveness as well as obsessive passion positively predicted moral disengagement in sport, while harmonious passion negatively associated with moral disengagement in sport. Additionally, the results indicated that aggressiveness and obsessive passion were positive predictors of attitudes toward performance enhancement drug use, while harmonious passion was a significant negative predictor of performance enhancing drugs. Possible explanations for these findings and group differences of the sample are discussed as well as limitations and possibilities for future research. Implications for practice are also discussed in relation to educational possibilities for university level athletes and competitive recreational participants.
Baby Boomers’ and Seniors’ Domestic Travel Motivations: An Examination of Citizens in Tainan, Taiwan
(University of Waterloo, 2009-01-19T18:43:17Z) Chen, Hui Wen Joyce
The literature on the travel market has focused on the motivations and activities of different market segments, destination attributes, evaluation of well-being, travel behaviour and characteristics, and demographic information. Some work has been undertaken on seniors’ travel motivations but the majority of this worked reported for North America. Few comparisons have been made between baby boomers’ and seniors’ travel motivations and preferences for domestic trip. This study investigated the domestic travel motivations of baby boomer (age 50 to 60) and senior (age 61 and over) citizens in Tainan, Taiwan. The study objectives were: (1) to present demographic information on senior and baby boomer domestic travelers; (2) to examine the travel motivations, destination attributes, and well-being of senior and baby boomer travelers; (3) to determine the differences in travel-related characteristics between senior and baby boomer travelers; and (4) to investigate whether those who travel more domestically also travel more internationally. A total of 184 citizens (100 baby boomers and 84 seniors) in Tainan, Taiwan, participated in this study. The data were analyzed using simple descriptive statistics, t-tests, cross-tabulations, chi-squared tests and correlation analyses. The open-ended questions were recorded and analyzed for themes. The demographic data revealed that marital status, employment status, education, income and major source of income were significantly different between baby boomer and senior respondents, as were travel motivations. The destination attributes sought and evaluations of well-being were not significantly different between the groups. Some differences were found in travel behaviours and characteristics reported by baby boomer and senior respondents, especially in the likelihood of traveling with an organized party, spending of money on traveling, joining an all-inclusive package tour, willingness to spend extra money on recreation, perceiving that seniors should stay at home or in silver town, and perceiving that travel improves their quality of life. In addition, traveling on overnight international trips influences the frequency of taking domestic trips for both groups. This study contributes to the tourism literature by comparing baby boomer and senior respondents’ travel motivations and preferences in domestic trips. The findings provided new insights into the understanding of tourist motivations, destination attributes, positive/negative affects and tourists’ behaviors, particularly as experienced in domestic trip taken by baby boomers and seniors in Tainan, Taiwan.
Becoming-with More-than-human Protected Areas
(University of Waterloo, 2023-11-28) Hurst, Chris E.
The planet is currently undergoing immense and permanent geological change and environmental decline, a period some scholars have referred to as the Anthropocene. Climate change and environmental events, biodiversity declines, wildfires, flooding, pollution, and pandemics are changing the ways in which we engage with the natural environment – as tourist and recreationist. Protected areas, and Parks in particular, are uniquely placed within this broader context of environmental crises in Canada on account of their dual mandate to both facilitate positive visitor experiences and to conserve the ecology and heritage of a site. Tethered to these mandate positions are anthropocentric separations or distinctions between humans and nature. The first, visitor experience, positions humans as visitors and nature as the backdrop for human recreation and tourism. The second mandate, conserving ecologies and heritage, assumes that humans as managers of these places can intervene in nature for particular outcomes, reinforcing ideas of human superiority over nonhumans and nature. Framed by posthuman philosophical, theoretical, and methodological approaches, the manuscripts, book chapter, and research note comprising this thesis work individually (and in combination) to disrupt, co-opt, challenge, and attend to concepts (i.e., anthropomorphism, affective reverberations, time, and agency) that have largely been subject to anthropocentric inscription and offer productive spaces for experimenting with different kinds of affective-sensory-material attunement practices in protected areas. The specific aims of this project are to contribute to building some of the conceptual foundations necessary for a more-than-human conservation ethic and practice premised on knowing-with, being-with, and researching-with nonhumans in nature-based tourism. With the exception of the research note, each chapter also experiments with more-than-human attunements borne of (re)enchantment (i.e., care as action) with concepts, integrating posthuman relationality and praxis with (re)presentational choices intended to evoke and affect (rather than represent per se). Each article simultaneously engages theory-methodology-(re)presentation as an iterative and entangled practice of being-with more-than-human places. Specifically, this research draws upon the sensory-attunements of walking methodologies, the methodological fluidity of methodologies without methodology, and the evocativeness of nonrepresentational methodologies, as an embodied practice of attending. Situated within more-than-human encounters in three Provincial Parks in Ontario, Canada, this thesis contributes to the growing interdisciplinary scholarship engaging with nonhumans as kin and invites us to care-with more-than-human temporalities, agency, and affectivity for more inclusive, responsive, and response-able tourism futures.
Beta and bolt hangers: An Actor-Network approach to storying the Niagara Escarpment
(University of Waterloo, 2019-09-03) Stinson, Michela Janelle
Rock climbing is a messy practice that assembles dynamic landscapes, discursive regimes, processes of defacing, and the interferences of diverse more-than-humans (Barratt, 2012; Rickly, 2017; Rossiter, 2007). This thesis engages Actor-Network Theory to illuminate how the bolt hanger operates as a material-discursive token beyond the signification of a specific climbing route—as a representation of local ethics, a prompt of affect, and a delineation of territory. In their material manifestations, bolt hangers are employed within the practice of sport climbing as permanent fixtures to which climbers affix protective equipment. The placement of bolt hangers therefore interacts with practices of safety, route-finding, and beta: the sequence of movements unique to completing a climbing route (Phillips et al., 2012). Beta is further established, reinforced, and resisted through climbing practice in abundant, material-discursive ways. Orderings of beta are thus considered a more-than-human, relational configuration (Ness, 2011). In this context, beta becomes an entanglement of affect, ethic, and territory as sport climbing is recursively ordered. This thesis ultimately considers the material-discursive beta contained within the bolt hanger, and how the bolt hanger signifies a certain defacing of false binaries of human/nonhuman and nature/culture as it moves to translate the many tourismscapes of the Niagara Escarpment (Barad, 2007; Barratt, 2012; Rossiter, 2007; van der Duim, 2007).
Beyond the Ice: An Exploratory Investigation into Social Responsibility within Major Junior Hockey
(University of Waterloo, 2016-06-07) Gulliver, Lynne
Major Junior hockey organizations are viewed as the rallying point for many small communities throughout North America, and as their presence in society continues to grow as does their increased ability and desire to give back to their community. This study explored the nature of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) use within Major Junior hockey, highlighting the impact on organizational members, and what implications this can have on the field of CSR and sport. The findings from this research revealed that the organization engages in CSR in order to forge connections with their community members, establishing themselves as a community oriented organization, focusing on giving back in order to better themselves as an organization, and society. CSR has not only added value for the organization but also the athletes, as they harness the power of a good reputation, cultivated through their CSR involvement to differentiate themselves, crafting a specific goodwill image. The findings revealed that CSR is integrated through all levels of the organization, although mid-level managers were primarily responsible for planning and players were responsible for the delivery of CSR. The findings suggested that the overall effectiveness of CSR and the impact it could have on staff and players may be limited by these divisions. Lastly, the findings showed that CSR facilitated in the development of positive feelings of association between the organization and the participants, as CSR improved their perception of the organization, creating a sense of belonging that translated into increased commitment and pride. This study provides insight from internal organizational members, enhancing our overall understanding of reasoning behind CSR use in sport, as well as the significant impact it has in the development of the players, showcasing the ability for CSR to foster the success and betterment of their community, as well as their organizational members.
A BI-CULTURAL ANALYSIS OF NIGERIAN CANADIAN IMMIGRANTS WITH RESPECT TO ACCULTURATIVE STRESS, COPING, EGO INVOLVEMENT AND PARTICIPATION IN LEISURE
(University of Waterloo, 2012-02-07T18:55:22Z) Oyapero, Babatunde
There have been few African studies that examined relationships between acculturation, a process where immigrants assimilate the culture of their host country, coping, acculturative stress and enduring involvement in leisure. The purpose of this study was to examine relationships between cultural orientations and acculturative stress, coping, leisure participation, as well as ego involvement of Nigerian Canadians in leisure. The research participants (n=104), were English speaking Nigerian Canadians between the ages of 18-52 average age of 35, SD of just under 8. All research participants were born outside Canada. Most Nigerian Canadians (99%, n=103) had lived in Canada for a period of 1-10 years when data were collected. Each participant filled out a questionnaire that measured their African and Canadian cultural orientations, and acculturative stress, coping, leisure participation, and ego involvement in leisure. Composite scale scores were computed for the variables of African cultural orientation, Canadian cultural orientation, depression, discrimination, intergenerational conflicts, coping and ego involvement in leisure; after which ANOVAs were computed to determine between group differences for the median split groups on these variables. Kruskal Wallis H tests were then computed to determine between group differences with regards to demographic characteristics, transportation, housing and dress patterns. ANOVA was also computed to determine differences on number of children in households. Pearson Correlations were then computed to determine relationships between leisure participation and ego involvement on one hand, and depression, discrimination, intergenerational conflicts, and coping on the other hand. Results revealed significant differences between participants on African and Canadian cultural orientations, with the two High African groups showing higher African preferences, and the two High Canadian groups showing higher Canadian preferences than the two lower African and the two lower Canadian groups in each instance. Participants were not significantly different on acculturative stress and coping. Also, there were minimal between group relationships with respect to leisure participation and acculturative stress and coping; while no relationships were found for ego involvement in leisure.
Big Ships, Small Towns: The Impact of New Port Developments in the Cruise Tourism Industry. The case of Falmouth Jamaica
(University of Waterloo, 2013-06-18T20:28:19Z) Kerswill, Matthew
ABSTRACT The cruise sector constitutes one of the fastest growing sectors of the tourism industry. With the continued growth of the industry comes the need to develop new ports to accommodate the increased volume of ships as well as the increasing size of modern cruise ships. It is important to understand how the development of new cruise ports impacts the local community. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to identify the attitudes and perceptions of residents regarding the impacts of the new cruise ship port development in Falmouth, Jamaica. The Historic Port of Falmouth was developed through a partnership between Royal Caribbean and the Port Authority of Jamaica and is the largest purpose-built port of call in the Caribbean. A case study approach was utilized to identify the attitudes and perceptions of residents regarding the impacts of the new port development in Falmouth, Jamaica. The study consisted of semi-structured interviews, and participant observation. The research took place in Falmouth in March 2012. A total of 23 interviews were carried out with residents who had varying levels of involvement with tourism. The three overarching themes emanating from the analysis of the data are: Big Ships, Big Disappointment, What could be improved? and All is Not Lost at Sea. Findings revealed that Falmouth residents are disappointed with the development because they have not received the economic benefits they were promised by Royal Caribbean. Despite the residents’ frustration and disappointment with the port, many still believe that it has given some opportunity for residents to improve their quality of life. The powerlessness of members of small Caribbean communities in the face of large tourism developers is evident throughout the study.
The Business of Last Chance Tourism: Stakeholders' Perspectives
(University of Waterloo, 2015-06-15) Swartman, Bobbie
Last Chance Tourism (LCT) is argued as a new form of travel behaviour emerging because of climate change. Some tourism stakeholders and communities have already begun adapting to climate changes they have experienced. Therefore, the purpose of this research was to explore the dynamics between climate change and business planning of tourism stakeholders at two chosen case study sites, the Athabasca Glacier in Jasper National Park and Polar Bear tourism at Churchill, Manitoba. This research focused on understanding climate change perceptions, adaptation strategies, and marketing efforts of stakeholders at the study sites. The research used mixed methods approach with an interpretive paradigm for analysis. This study conducted semi structured interviews with 17 participants from the study sites, 10 from Jasper National Park, and seven from Churchill, Manitoba. In addition to interviews, 20 stakeholder websites from each study site were analyzed to understand how images play a role in branding. The results revealed that climate change is and will pose challenges for stakeholders. The majority of participants, 56%, were either moderately or extremely concerned about climate change. This research confirms and adds detail to previous studies on adaptations and LCT. Many of the participants thought LCT had negative implications, with only two participants suggesting they would think about using it as a marketing technique. Participants have already been making adaptations due to environmental changes, and believe they will adapt when necessary in the future. While only 47% of participants said they have a marketing strategy for their specific destination, the analysis of the 40 websites revealed the chosen websites use images of the Athabasca Glacier or polar bears for a majority of website images. While this exploratory study was important to understand stakeholder perceptions at each location, future studies need to examine both adaptive capacity and ethical implications of marketing LCT more in depth. Marketing LCT may lead to more people getting involved in climate change discussions, which could help create community adaptations. The Jasper National Park data revealed stakeholder relationships are very complex with multiple participants criticizing Parks Canada for allowing recent new tourism developments. Future studies could explore deeper into these relationships, this may enable better coordination among stakeholders for planning adaptations.
“But I want to go home!” A qualitative exploration of the experience of summer camp from two contrasting perspectives
(University of Waterloo, 2008-09-01T18:19:04Z) Chapeskie, Amanda
The mention of the term “summer camp” often brings to mind cabins nestled in the woods, cool lakes, warm campfires and children having fun as they swim, paddle and play. At traditional residential camps children are imagined to revel in their freedom, overcome challenges, make long lasting friendships and develop into skilled and competent young people. How much of this imagery, however, is based upon a societal discourse constructed by adult values? How often do the actual experiences match these ideals? This study explores the issue of adult driven discourses surrounding the experience of camp by comparing the perspective of camp directors with the description of one of the author’s own childhood experiences. Using narrative techniques, the author composed two distinct descriptions of the camp experience including programmatic, social and emotional elements. The comparison of these two narratives revealed the possibility for distinct differences between the adult perception of the experience and how it may actually be experienced by a child. The areas of difference centred around both social and programming elements of camp participation which, when considered together, suggest the need for children to adjust to a distinctly different social setting in order to achieve the positive experiences reflected in our cultural conceptualization of summer camp.
Camper Self-Concept Promotes Environmental Awareness: A Relationship Mediated by Social Inclusion
(Journal of Youth Development, 2018-04-19) Cousineau, Luc; Mock, Steven E.; Glover, Troy Daniel
Summer camps in Canada provide services to hundreds of thousands of youth each year, giving opportunities for growth and development. However, summer camps in Canada remain understudied. Using one phase of data from the Canadian Summer Camps Research Project (CSCRP), analysis was conducted on the effect of camper self-concept on their environmental awareness, mediated by perceived level of social inclusion. A relationship between camper self-concept and environmental awareness existed, and that relationship was enhanced when campers were socially included. These findings show preliminary connections between self-concept and environmental awareness in summer camps, and open opportunities for further research into personal and long-term effects of camp participation on environmental viewpoints, social group integration, and self-concept.
The Canadian Culinary Tourists: How Well Do We Know Them?
(University of Waterloo, 2003) Ignatov, Elena
Culinary tourism is emerging as an important component of the rapidly growing cultural tourism market. It introduces tourists to new flavours and different traditions associated with the preparation, serving, and consuming of foods and beverages. Although food has been strongly linked to tourism in some European and Asian destinations for years, culinary tourism is a relatively new phenomenon in North America. Current research tends to focus on only one aspect of culinary tourism, wine, with most research done in Australia and New Zealand. Although growing, there is still little research in Canada, and it has also concentrated on the wine component of culinary tourism. However, those who engage in wine tourism may not necessarily be the same people who would engage in other culinary practices such as visiting farmer?s fairs and markets, browsing food stores featuring local and gourmet ingredients, or who seek out authentic cuisine in restaurants. This study examines the characteristics and composition of the Canadian culinary tourism market and also explores the relationship between food and wine tourism. The study is based on the Travel Activities and Motivations Survey (TAMS) dataset. The survey was carried out between September 1999 and April 2000 and involved a telephone interview followed by a mail questionnaire. The total number of completed mail questionnaires received was 5,740, generating a response rate of 23. 2%. The objectives of the study were to understand the similarities and differences between 1) Canadian culinary travellers and the rest of the Canadian traveling population; 2) culinary tourists engaging in food-related activities, those who participate in wine, and those who participate in both; and 3) to identify segments of culinary tourists with respect to cross-participation in each of the culinary related activities. The segments were compared in terms of demographics, psychographics, vacation and getaway trip characteristics, and media consumption habits. To accomplish the first two objectives, culinary-related activities were arranged in three groups:
Group One: farmer?s fairs/markets; shop/browse gourmet foods in retail stores or farms; pick-your-own farms/harvesting;
Group Two: restaurant dining featuring regional or local cooking; restaurant dining at internationally acclaimed restaurants; staying at a cooking school; staying at a gourmet restaurant with accommodation on premises;
Group Three: touring a region?s wineries where one stays one or more nights; going to wineries for day visits and tasting; staying at a wine tasting school. ?Culinary travellers? were conceptually defined as those who had taken trips in Canada in the past two years preceding the survey, and had participated in at least one activity from both group one and two or had participated in at least one activity from group three. ?Food travellers? were defined as those who had traveled in Canada in the past two years preceding the survey and had participated in at least one activity from Group One and Two and had not engaged in any activities in Group Three; ?wine travellers? were those who had participated in at least one activity in Group Three and did not qualify as ?food travellers?; and ?food and wine travellers? were those who met the criteria of both ?food? and ?wine? travellers. A factor analysis was performed in order to establish which cuisine-related variables were closely related and what underlying dimensions might exist in culinary tourism activities. The next step was to perform a k-means cluster analysis of the factors in order to identify distinct groups of cuisine travellers. The resulting four clusters were labeled: ?rural?, ?sophisticated?, ?indifferent?, and ?true cuisine?. The results show that the Canadian culinary tourism market represents nearly 45% of Canadian travellers and exhibits characteristics and behaviours that clearly distinguish them from other tourists. Canadian culinary tourists tend to be females in their mid-forties, highly educated with above average incomes; they are highly diverse in their travel motivations, interests, and activities pursuits (both at home and while traveling); travel mainly in the summer months but also take trips in the other seasons; they are accompanied by a spouse/partner (no children) while traveling and stay at hotels/resorts/country inns or at the homes of friends and relatives. They exhibit high readership preferences for newspapers (daily and weekend) and travel publications, and are more likely to use the Internet as an information source. In all instances, the culinary segment represented the large majority compared to the non-culinary travellers. Two segments emerged as relatively consistent across the analyses involving the ?food?, ?wine?, ?food and wine?, and the ?rural?, ?sophisticated?, ?indifferent?, and ?true cuisine? segments. These segments were the ?food/rural? and the ?food and wine/true cuisine? groups. The ?food/rural? group are highly interested in the local, traditional country-style forms of cuisine associated with rural regions; they seem to enjoy being in rural areas and close to the sources of their daily food. They tend to be females, in their mid-forties, with secondary education and middle incomes; travel to strengthen family ties, and seek simpler holiday experiences associated with rural regions. In contrast, the ?food and wine/true cuisine? group is very diverse in their travel motivations and activities pursuits; they are highly involved in all aspects of culinary tourism and exhibit high cultural orientation and exquisite tastes; these are females, in their mid-forties, university graduates with incomes well above average. Another interesting finding is that wine tourists appear mostly interested in the wine itself; they are not really as active and diverse in their activities and interests as the food and food and wine enthusiasts. This may indicate that food and not wine is what motivates culinary tourists; rather, wine is only a supplement. The findings of the study led to a consideration of possible marketing implications and areas for future research have been provided.
Caregivers of long-term cancer survivors: The role leisure plays in improving psychological well-being
(University of Waterloo, 2012-08-30T17:38:24Z) Graham, Alyssa
Cancer rates are on the rise and there is also an increase in the number of cancer survivors. This results in an increase of caregivers for those survivors. Many caregivers experience negative impacts of caregiving, including decreased mental health. The purpose of this study is to gain an understanding of how the fulfillment of leisure needs impacts caregivers’ mental health. Using data from The Cancer Support Person’s Unmet Needs Survey (Campbell et al., 2009), secondary data analysis was conducted to examine the relationship between unmet leisure needs and mental health, as well as examining the mediation of social and physical aspects of leisure. The sample consisted of 718 support persons (self-selected by the survivors, who were asked to give their caregivers the survey) from the Cancer Registry run by CancerCare Manitoba. Results revealed that fulfilling leisure needs decreased level of caregiver depression, anxiety, and stress. Fulfilling social needs showed a decrease in caregiver depression, and having higher levels of physical functioning had a positive impact on caregiver’s level of depression, anxiety, and stress. This study provided practical applications for practitioners and caregivers on how to improve caregiver mental health through the fulfillment of leisure needs.
Choir Participation and Community Wellbeing: A Social Identity Approach
(University of Waterloo, 2019-09-03) Ergen, Can
Research about choir and community wellbeing shows that there is a positive association between the two constructs. In addition, the positive association between choir participation and community wellbeing seems to be stronger if the activity fosters a place to socialize and gain an identity through the leisure pursuit. This research looks at the relationship between choir participation and community wellbeing using Social Identity Approach (SIA). SIA suggests that participants benefit from a leisure activity to the degree in which they identify themselves with the group. This research takes SIA into consideration to explain the positive relationship between choir participation and community wellbeing, where social opportunities and social identity mediates the positive association between participating in a choir and community wellbeing. A serial mediation model was designed to test the positive association between the two variables. Social opportunities and social identity were added to the mediation model to test their indirect effect on choir participations positive effect on wellbeing. Social opportunities variable was placed as the antecedent variable to consequent variable of social identity. Findings show that choir participation is positively associated to community wellbeing. In addition, results show that the positive effect is fully mediated by social opportunities and social identity provided by the choir.

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