The available literature indicates that the current
understanding of how adventure education
program outcomes are achieved is based largely on
theory, rather than on empirical research. As a
result, practice is grounded in assumptions and,
perhaps, in an incomplete understanding of why
programs are effective. It may be that some of the
current theories are inaccurate, or that there are
program characteristics that are influencing
program effectiveness that have yet to be
considered. Before programs can be optimally
effective, a number of questions need to be
addressed by research: Which program
characteristics are important to achieving positive
program outcomes?