Outdoor Youth Programs Research Alliance

Outdoors WA is a supportive partner of the Outdoor Youth Programs Research Alliance (OYPRA), an Australian group founded in 2009 with the aim of establishing quality evidence of the extent to which outdoor, camping and nature-based programs are associated with reliable improvements in resilience, learning and wellbeing among young people.

OYPRA has released results of an online survey of Australian providers of outdoor programs, in which staff who worked on existing programs were asked to reflect on their current practice.

The study established, for the first time, a comprehensive picture of the scope and diversity of outdoor youth programs on offer in Australia. 

Further details can be found here. 

View the full National Survey of Australian Youth Programs report.

A new study by the Outdoor Youth Programs Research Alliance (OYPRA) developed and conducted over nine years has shown camps and outdoor education programs can lead to improved mental health and wellbeing in young people.

View the research summary report.

Findings from a 5 day camp program include:

16% of students reported reduced anxiety

11% had increased confidence.