Exploring youth engagement in environmental volunteering: Findings from a cross-case analysis
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2015-04-02
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Abstract
Despite interest in youth-environment interactions, the convergence of “youth” and “environmental volunteering” has received little attention. I conducted a qualitative, cross-case study to explore how and why youth, aged 18 and younger, participate in environmental volunteering. Transcripts from interviews with volunteer coordinators and youth volunteers were coded to understand the similarities and differences in the structure, motives, challenges, and benefits of youth engagement. Although often overlooked as environmental volunteers, my findings suggest that children and teenagers can and are making contributions as volunteers. Experiences of youth volunteers differ in important ways from adults; however, a number of parallels can be drawn. A unique set of functions specific to the experiences of environmental volunteers emerged, suggesting the need for researchers and practitioners to take into account the meaningful ways that environmental volunteer motives differ from other contexts. A rich opportunity exists to connect youth with the environment through volunteering.
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Puckett, G. (2015). Exploring youth engagement in environmental volunteering: Findings from a cross-case analysis (Master's thesis, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada). Retrieved from https://prism.ucalgary.ca. doi:10.11575/PRISM/26129