«Outdoor Activities and Environmental Responsibility. Τhe case of Xanthi Prefecture Pupils’»

The purpose of this study was to examine pupils’ Environmental Responsibility in primary and secondary schools. Participants were 256 students (Elementary n = 102, Gymnasium n = 88 and Ηigh school n = 66) from schools of Xanthi Pprefecture of Greece. Participants completed the scales: a) cognitive environmental beliefs and b) affective environmental beliefs (Zafeiroudi & Hatzigeorgiadis, 2013). Analysis of variance revealed significant differences between pupils’ different education level and environmental beliefs, with elementary pupils scored higher than gymnasium and high school pupils. Results revealed differences between beliefs and frequency of participation in outdoor activities, with systematically outdoor participants score higher than pupils who participated sometimes or rarely. Overall, study provide supportive evidence that pupils of primary schools are more environmental aware probably because of short or unsuccessful environmental education programs. Finally, participation in outdoor activities systematically seemed to improve pupils’ environmental beliefs.