In cooperation with a number of state and national bodies, ORIC has committed funding towards a research project seeking to identify evidence based resarch into the value and benefits of outdoor recreation.

Acknowledging that a lack of collated data is severely restricting the ability of the industry to identify and address issues and promote the value of outdoor adventure activities and the associated benefits of participation, the aim of the Australian Outdoor Adventure Activity Benefits Catalogue project is to provide the industry with a concise report which identifies evidence-based research which recognises the value of outdoor adventure activities and quantifies their benefit (either from a health, community, educational, environmental, personal development and/or tourism perspective).

Undertaken and commissioned by the Outdoor Council of Australia (OCA) with funding provided by

• Australian Camps Association (ACA)
• Christian Camping International (CCI)
• Leave No Trace (LNT)
• Outdoor Council of Australia (OCA)
• Outdoor Recreation Centre Victoria (ORC)
• Outdoor Recreation Industry Council NSW (ORIC)
• Outdoors WA
• Queensland Outdoor Recreation Federation (QORF)

the project will identify any research which is relevant to the Australian context (ie. preferably research based on participation in Australian outdoor adventure activities and programs) and will review research published since 2000.

Whilst the aim of this project is to primarily focus on the Australian context and research published since 2000, any research outside this context which is considered significant may be included.

Outcomes-based research which identifies the ways in which outdoor adventure activities contribute to the following areas will be addressed:

• Health (physical, social, psychological, quality of life)
• Personal and group development
• Environmental awareness
• Healthy families and communities, social capital
• Economy

The information gathered from this research will assist the outdoor recreation industry's representation with key stakeholders including government, agencies, schools and the wider community.

The research will contribute to the development of a Discussion Paper, which will be distributed prior to the National Outdoor Summit, with the aim to identify current and emerging trends, issues and impediments to the outdoor recreation industry. It will be presented at the National Outdoor Summit in August 2008, and contribute towards the development of a National Outdoor Strategy.

The National Outdoor Summit will provide a platform for dialogue with the Federal Government, providing opportunity to secure recognition of the value of outdoor recreation through representation of a united industry front, to ensure that the necessary facilities, access and resources remain available.

The aim is to complete the Discussion Paper by 30 April 2008.