DOCUMENT RESUME

ED 055 790 SE 011 253

AUTHOR Starnes Thomas A.TITLE Evaluation of "operation Upstream" Summer, 1968.

Research and Development Report, Volume 2 Number7.

INSTITUTION Atlanta Public Schools, Ga.PUB DATE Oct 68NOTE 19p.

EBBS PRICE MF-$0.65 HC-$3.29DESCRIPTORS *Educational Programs; *Evaluation; *I truction;

*Outdoor Education; Physical Education PhysicalEducation Facilities; Recreatioaal Activities;*Summer Programs

IDENTIFIERS ESEA Title I

ABSTRACTDescribed are the program objectives0.rationale, and

evaluation of an elective, survival oriented, personal developmentsummer program administered by the Atlanta Pubiic Schools. Theevaluation was 0f a guasi-experiMental pretest, posttest design. The34 students were evaluated by the California Test -.of Personality and"Operation Upstream" questionnaire..Results indicated the young menmade significant gains on both instruments. Data from the CaliforniaTest of Personality indicated eight areas in which there wereimprovements in personality-chatatteristics. The "Operation Upstream"Auestionnaire indicated most task_cbjectives of the _program wereachieved.- (BB)

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH.EDU CATION & vvELFAREOFFICE Og EDUCATION

THIS DOCUMENT HAS BEEN REPRO-DUCED EXACTLY AS RECEIVED FROMTHE PERSON OR ORGANIZATION ORM-INATING IT. POINTS OF VIEW oR OPIN-IONS STATED DO NOT NECESSARILYREPRESENT OFFICIAL OFFICE OF EDU-CATION POSITION OR POLICY.

SINA/MAgi LAE Difigi@filiniri {ATM

VOLIE NO.7 :_OCTOBER-11968

iEVALUATION OF OPERATION UPSTREAM"

SUMMER 1968

ailOaamike Pagiltle @elbooilo

LAMING] @Gave@

RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT REPORT

Vol. 2, No. 7 October, 1968

EVALUATION OF "OPERATION UPSTREAM"

Summer, 1968

Funded Under ESEA Title 1, P. L. 89-10

Prepared by

Dr. Thomas A. StarnesResearch Associate

Dr. Jarvis BarnesAssistant Superintendent

for Research and Development

Dr. John W. LetsonSuperintendent

Atlanta Public Schools224 Central Avenue, S. W.Atlanta Georgia 30303

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Page

INTRODUCTION 1

RATIONALE 1

OBJECTIVES 2

DESCRIPTION OF THE PROGRAM 2'

STAFF PERSONNEL . * WWWW

RESEARCH DESIGN

RESULTS

CONCLUSIONS , ..

RECOMMENDATIONS

TABLES

OOO

41

,

*

6 6

*

6

7

8

9

9

1 Summary of responses given to' Operation Upstream Questionnaire

Summary of Significant Changes inPersonaaity Characteristics ,. of"Operation Upstream" Participants

FINANCIAL STATEMIOT

12

14

15

* r

us1;1-w1ack1ng" Through the Hilly Forests of Nor

I. INTRODUCTION

Although character development is one of the mostimportant objectives of American public education, itfrequently is the least affected by traditional educa-

tional processes. Of the many activities that a schnoisystem raay employ to foster character development, one

that has been shown to be very effective is the "Operatiol,

Upstream" project of the Atlanta Public Schools. The

total effect of the "Operation Upstream" experience onthe lives of the young participants can only be esti-

mated. Nevertheless, this report will reveal quitevividly that significant improvements in charAot-r andpersonality did, in fact, occur as a result of tnisintensive, twenty-six day outdoor experience.

II. RATIONALE

Conceived in the tradition of the Outward Boundmovement, "Operation Upstream" was initiated duringthe summer of 1967 as a developmental activity for the

young men of the Atlanta Public Schools. The resultswere so encouraging that the program was expanded andcontinued during the summer of 1968. "Only under thepressure of stress does a person get the chance to knowhimself," a quote from a participant in Outward Bound,epitomized the basic philosophy and program under which

"Operation UpEtream" was designed. It was nut a pro-gram for the rehabilitation of juvenile delinquents.Furthermore, it was not primarily any of the following:

Recreational PoliticalA "camp" Profit-makingMilitaristic For problem children.Denominational

Instead :t was at-intensive, outdoor personaldeviopment prbgrari in high sehool.YoUng ten

could.

elect- tp participate. The prograth: Was conceived_and administered by the -Atlanta Public Schools :Itn

twiMary purposes -were to:Provide young Tien theine

experiences which would enhance their self-realizationand which would give them opportunities to developcertain physical and social attributes -- such asagility, perception, strength 2- and team work.

III. OBJECTIVES

The specific purposes of "Operation Upstream" meresummarized as follows:

1. To provide a wholesome environment in -whichyoung men may leart to relate effectively toeach other and to authority figures

2. To provide young men opportunities to developphysical competencies -which would otherwiselie dormant

To allow Young men to know and to appreciatethemselves, their abilities, and theirlimitations

To stimulate improved personality adju tmentwithin the young men

To facilitate the development of social skillsand the ability to get along wlth others.

DP6TRIPTION OP THE PR

The twenty-six day program involving eighty-fourrpung men, was sUrvival oriented. It was dividedinto two seBsionS2 With a separate group of young menparticipating in each session. The activities, haw-ever, were similar for both groups. The emphasis vasplaced on putting each young man into a stress situation,so that he might derine his own capabilities and limita-tions. The program was also designed to indicate thenecessity for telgil Work and dependability.

-2 -

-

an^.

A Pause for a Lec ure on Ba ance-Climbing Techniques.

The first phase of the program vas executed at thebase camp, which was located in a primitive section ofthe Cahutta Mountains in North Georgia. The dailyroutine included strenuous activities -- such as calis-thenics, obstacle courses, and other forms of physicalexercise. Training sessions in first aid, methods ofrescue, fire fighting, trapping, and the use of toolswere also among the activities which were stressed.Instruction was given in methods of survival in thewilderness, including living off the land. Theseventeen-day base camp.session ended with "graduationexercises," which required each young man to remain inthe wilderness alone for three days -- equipped onlywith a sleeping bag, a shelter half, first aid kit,matches, salt, vitamins, a piece of string, fish hook,snake-bite, kit, and two candy bars. It was usuallyduring this period of "isolation" that the young menlearned to appreciate their dependence on others.Swimming, life-saving, and drown-proofing were taughtat Lake Canasaga during the second phase of the pro-gram. Calisthenics, running, and other aspects ofthe fitness program were also continued

The third phase commenced with a thirty-five milehike from Woody Gap on the Appalachian Trail to Mt.Yonah. The trail also involved mountain climbingexperience -- during which Blood Mountain, the secondhighest mcmntain in Georgia, vas crossed.

At YM. Yonah the U. S. Army Rangers who were Vietnamveterans, took over and gave an extensive three-dayinstructional period in mountain and rock climbing.They taught such skills as two party climbs, three andfour party climbs, rappeling, and Mountain rescue.

The final,leg--Of "Operation-Upstream" ended-withtiverf'trip on'rubber rafts from-Helen-i% Georgia, to'

_ - .

Lake Lanier,-,'FrOM there--;:the'SeaSeined:outdooramen were-, _ -

'transported by bus- tb-Atlanta,:' SubjeCtive-reporta_frOMthe "Operation Upstream" leadersan&from,the boys.'paretta-teatifiedto7thePOSitiveeffeets that-"OperationUpstreim" had on the-young men,

A Student Snaps His Safety Rope-into a PitonDuring a Three-man Climbing Zxercise.

V. STAFF PERSONNEL

The success of the program was largely due to thededication and competence of the staff. The followingpresents a resume of each staff member:

Director of the program was Elton Powers. Mr.Powers earned a Master's Degree from Auburn Universityin physical education and recreation; coached footballfor eight years; served in the United States Marinesfor four years; directed the first "Operation Upstream"project; has had extensive hunting, fishing, and out-door living experience; and currently serves asassistant principal of O'Keefe High School.

Field Director was Phil Alexander. Mr. Alexanderearned a Master's Degree from South Carolina Universityin physical education; graduated in rescue and survivalfrom the Outward Bound school for instructors; had fiveyears of service in the United States Marines; was awater safety instructor for 17 years; was an instructorin the first "Operation Upstream" proje.ct; is an experthunter, fisherman, outdoorsman, and mountain climber;and presently serves as physical education teacher andcoach at Grady High School.

One instructor -was Billy Chadwick. Mr. Chadwickearned a Bachelor of Science degree from Emory Univer-sity. Presently he is an 'outdoorsman Ole coaches atGrady High School and does church work with youngadults.

A second instructor was Robert Bell. Mr. Bell isa retired Army Sergeant, who presently heads the O'KeefeHigh School Military Department. Mr. Bell, an expertin the use of map and compass, served as outdoorsmaninstructor in the first "Operation Upstreat" project.

A third instructor was Leonard Hall. Mr. Hall, whoearned a Master's Degree from Florida State University,is an athletic coach, fisherman, and outdooksman.

Furthermore, Mr. Frank Jernigan, principal of O'KeefeHigh School and one- of the principal organizers of

eration Upstream," continued to serve as a consultantfor the program.

VI. RESEARCH DESIGN

The California Test of PersonaZity was administeredto the young men on the eve.of their departure for"Operation Upstream," and again at the conclusion ofthe activity, while they were welting for transportationfrom Lake Lanier to'Atlanta. An "Operation UpstreamQuestionnaire was administered at the same time. Thequestionnaire was devised to determine what skills weredeveloped as a result of the outdoor activities. The"yes" responses indicated commetence in the severalskills. The California Test of Personality was nsed todetermine those psychological and personality changeswhich occurred. Also, a subjective evaluation by theleaders was solicited. The young men in the secondsession were not tested.

VII. RESULTS

The questionnaire .was designed to indicate a lackof ability by the percentage of "no" responses. Fifty-two per cent of the pretest responses indicated ths,tthe young men felt that- they could not perform thetasks that they would be expected to perform during"Operation Upstream." Those activities receiving thelargest number of "no" responses were concerned withconstructing a rope bridge, 30; outfitting one's selffor a three-day mountain climb, 24; compass and mapreading, 22; and trapping one's food, 22. However,ninety-eight per cent of the posttest responses indi-cated that the young men could perform the tasks.Table 1 on page 12 presents a summary of the pretestand posttest responses=

The analysis of the results of the California Testf Personalipy, indicated that, as a group, there wereeight -areas in Which there were significant improvementsin_ personality characteristics with the greatestimprovement-'occUrring _in total_personal adjustment.Table 2 on: page' 14 Prebents ,a. summary of the analysisof the data.

VIII. CONCLUSIONS

The primary objectives of "Operation Upstream" werefulfilled. Young men, when given the opportunity toattain Eleights of physical development previouslyunknown proved to be quite capable of accomplishingthe task. These young men mastered skills and compe-tencies that would pass the most rigorous surVivaltests (see Tdble-l'on page 12).

The positive personal adjustments that the youngmen made were even more outstanding. Even though theseyoung men were not selected for the experience on thebasis of personality deviations, they did registermarked improvements in persenal and sodial attributes(see Table 2 on page 14).

"Operation Upstream" has well illustrated that whencertain experiences are provided in an appropriateatmosphere or environment, maJor modifications in per-sonality and character development can and do occur.It is possible that if society expected more from itsyoung men and provided them the opportunities forphysical, social, and personal development, the youngmen would rise to meet the new challenges in fruitfnland rewarding ways.

IX- RECOMMENDATIONS

Since-the first two Years of Operation: UPstreammet with:such outstanding;success the followingimplementations are urged=

The base of participation should be broadento inclUde more young men. At least one,group -from each Atlanta high school should 'be

Until the base of Operation Upstre " isenlarged, attention should be given to the

fiscal needs of the present program.coordinator of the program should beemployed.

A follow up study,on the participants shouldbe devised to determine whether or not theeffects of the experience are carried overinto.the following school year. A teacheropinionnaire and_a retest of the CaliforniaTest of Personality would be appropriate.

The staff and pal-ticipants of. "OperationUpstream" should be commended for the out-standing successes which they experienced.

1 ' I 1 6.4

'' .1,777 171, 7711,75,7177 771777717,7,1114,77,17'''

0

I,

1 0/'

f

SUMMARY OFRESPONSES GIVEN TO 'OPERATION UPSTREAM"

QUESTIONNAIRE

(N = 34 -- Period ofTreatment = 26 Days)

Question

Can you safely

limo.a rookfaCed

Can you success

y ride addguiWa life

'

raft down a swift'uountainHstream?

Do you know appropriate prQeelires1

for

fighting forest

fires?

-

Do you know how to administe

to an injured person?

5.

Do you know .suitable procedures

for

rescuing a drowning person?

Do you know how to trap your own

food?

T.

Can you sustain yourself forthree days

alone in the wilderness, living entirely

off wild plants and animals?

first aid

Pretest,Answers

Pasttest Answers

yes

No,

Yes 34

34,

No

20 18

15

18

14

21

32

1

24

12

34

19"

17

34

0

14.

22

34

0

20

15

Can you Survive in deep water for

one hour

while covering a distance of

one mile?

- ,9.

,Plin

r,,,y

9!1i

*4a map to avoid getting lost

in the wilderness?,

H ,

10.

Can you use a compass and amap together

;to find 'your way between two distant

poipts in the wilderness?

1r

you cook your own meals?

Do you know how to outfit yourself

to carry

;allyour needs on your back for a three-day

journey, through. the mountains

on foot?

:13; Do you know how to construct

a rope bridge

for crossing a stream?

--'

IH

14.

Can you pitch a tent so that

you will

remain drir and well eien under rainy

or windy Weather conditions?

:

15.

Can:you:now' (without: further Coaching

pr assistance froth anyone) overcome all

obstaaes on the project' s obstacle

course?

'

TOTALS

rrri

rlir

.Orr

irdi

firr

irr

rrri

ikir

N;r

ft-f

rni,

-191

16

30

ii,

14

22

314,

0

14

22

34

0'.1

114

25

114

0

12

24

34

0

630

33

011

1

11.1

111: .16

..

20

16

34

0

16

19

34

0

2,5,

270

483

5

TA

3LE

2

SUMMARY OF IGNIFICANT CHANGES IN PERSONALITY CHARACTERISTICS

OF "OPERATION UPSTREAM" PARTICIPANTS

'

Scal

ePretest

.Average

Posttest

Average

t Ratio

Level Of

Significance

Self -reli ancle

11.75

13.18

2.87

.01

ense,of Personal Worth

12.71

13.79

2.60

.05

Personal Adjust ent

71.89

77.71

7.44

.01

11.61

13.14

2.81

.01

Anti-social,Tendencies

11.82

13.29

2.74

.01,

Canmunity Relations

12.36

13.75

2.78

.01

Social Adjust ent

72.5

078.75

2.76

.01

Total Adjust

ent

144

9156.46

3.15

.01

FINANCIAL STATEMENT, PROJECT UPSTREAM, SUMMER, 1968

Recepits

Tuition $ 1,139.31Scholarships 4,875,90

Total $ 6,014.31

Disbursements

SalariesMr. HallMr. ChadwickMr. BrooksMr. PowersMr. AlexanderSgt. Bell

Total Salaries

MiscellaneousFood, Equipment andTransportation

Tot al Disbursements

$1,559.o41,726.08

480.001,855.632,061.43

773.76

$8 455.94

4 56138_

13.,017 32:

Total Disbursements Less Recei ts

Cost to the Board of Educationfor Each Bay

O'Keefe High School, 21 55October 30, 1968Project Upstream, 05-05

$7,003.01

37

-35-19