The evaluation of the programme and leadership features in the practice of outdoor education in terms of recreation management (Bolu Youth Camp as a sample)

The aim of this thesis was to evaluate the views, experiences and observations of the participants [managers (programme supervisors), group leaders and campers] of the outdoor education camp programme (Bolu Mengen Bürnük Outdoor Camp Programme) with regard to the programme and the characteristics of leadership during the management of the recreation programme.The purpose of the study were discussed in two headings. These are; 1- The factors which came out in the thoughts of the participants about the recreation outdoor education camp programme. 2- The basic factors which came out with the view and experiences of the participants of the recreation outdoor education camp programme about leadership.In this research, ?qualitative research method? were used as a model. 3 managers (programme supervisors), 10 leaders and 25 campers, overall 38 participants, who attended the recreation programme, form the sampling of the study.In the collection of the data, for the interviews ?semi-structured interview? technique, for the observations ?non-structured field notes? was examined by a method called ?participant observation? in which the researcher participates in the environment.The participants of this study were composed of 3 managers (programme supervisors), 10 group leaders and 25 campers, who participated in the process of practising the outdoor education in recreation management. The data was analysed by descriptive and content analysis method. In the study, to maintain the validity and reliability, triangulation was used.Data presentation, findings and discussions were examined under two main themes. These are:1- The views, experiences and observations related to the main themes of management, programme and goal of the recreation outdoor education camp, which is the main theme, were evaluated and the outcomes were defined in five themes. These are classified as; a- Education, b- Communication, c- Culture, d- Motivation and e- Leader.a- In the data related to the theme of education, the importance of the sub-topics such as ?social development, social benefit, individual growth, outdoor education, efficiency, preparation? were emphasized.b-In the data related to the theme of communication, the importance of sub-topics such as ?sharing, being informed, interaction, leading, meeting, team work, coordination, evaluation and not sharing? were emphasized.c-In the data related to the theme of motivation, the importance of sub-topics such as ?activation, active motivation, and readiness? were emphasized.d-The theme of culture has come out as a goal in the outdoor education programme and its significance has been emphasized. The data related to the theme of culture was defined as ?cultural exchange, cultural goal, cultural activities, culture mosaic, cultural efficiency and cultural environment?.e-The data related to the theme of leadership was defined as ?the characteristics of a leader, his responsibilities and duties, team work, management staging and solution of the problems?.2- As a result of the evaluation of the observation, experiences and views about the leadership, which is the main theme, the data collected from the participants of the recreation outdoor education programme was examined under nine main headings. These are classified as; a- The level of education, b- The quality of communication, c- Problem solution, d- Motivation, e- Duty and Responsibilities, f- Team work, g- Confidence, h- The process of decision making, i- The characteristics of leaders during the evaluation process:a- The data related to the main theme of features of education was defined as ?theoretical education and active education?.b-The data related to the main theme of features of communication was defined as ?interaction and sharing.?c- The data related to the main theme of problem solution was defined as ?communication and organisation?.d- The data related to the main theme of motivation was defined as ?communication and active motivation?.e- The data related to the main theme of duty and responsibility were defined as ?coordination, communication, motivation, education and culture?.f- The data related to the main theme of team work was defined as ?coordination, communication, education, organisation and motivation?.g- The data related to the main theme of confidence was defined as ?communication, motivation and active learning?.h- The data related to the main theme of decision making features was defined as ?communication, education, duty and responsibility?.ı- The data related to the main theme of evaluation features was defined as ?communication, democratic leader, decision making, education and organisation?.As a result of the study, the views, experiences and observations of the participants, who attended the practice of the recreation programme management process, about the goal, programme and management of the recreation outdoor education camp were analysed, and with the outcomes, the lack of recreation programme management in our country, and the features of leadership in the management of recreation have been highlighted and its importance were emphasized.Key Words:Recreation management, recreation leadership, recreation programmes, leader, outdoor education