We believe evaluation is critical to the success of Project Venture and most funding agencies will require it. Good evaluation provides ongoing feedback as the program is implemented and is your connection to the success of your interventions.

 

The purpose of this section is not to deal with the technical aspects of evaluation design and implementation. You may be able to locate a professional evaluator with the experience and skills necessary to accomplish the evaluation objectives contained in your proposal and negotiated with your funding agency. What we share with readers in this section are specifics about evaluating outdoor/experiential programs, some history about NIYLP's evaluation efforts and approaches and some tools that we have found useful. Please feel free to contact NIYLP's Evaluation Coordinator, Dr. Susan Carter, to discuss specific evaluation issues for your project. susancarter@hughes.net

 

As you begin your program evaluation, consider the following:

 

·        Project Venture is very much a process-oriented, interactive program rather than a content-oriented, classroom type of program. Since so much of what happens must be observed in order to be understood, it is important that your evaluator be available in the field in order to provide you with objective feedback as the program is implemented. Simply stated, we do not feel that this program can be evaluated from behind a desk!

 

·        Evaluators of this program should be knowledgeable about the guidelines and safety considerations provided by groups like the Association for Experiential Education in order to provide informed feedback from the field regarding the efficacy and safety of program implementation.

 

·        As a friendly outsider or “critical friend”, the program evaluator must develop relationships with stakeholders that reflect trust and respect. This is especially important in Native American and other indigenous communities where, historically, researchers have not always acted in the best interests of the people they were hired to serve.

 

·        Think of your evaluator as one of the “story tellers” for your project. Make sure they have both quantitative and qualitative research skills. Our experience has shown us that it is often the wonderful qualitative descriptions and analysis of project activities that finally win over community members who may be reluctant to participate fully in evaluation requirements.