Identifying features of field trips (FTs) that promote a connection to nature, culture, and other people

Connecting with nature offers benefits ranging from conservation activities to greater well-being. What experiences create connection to nature and are they the same as the experiences that create a sense of connection to group members or a foreign culture? This study sampled 27 field trips to different ecosystems and cultures, attended by students in grades 5–11. There was nearly complete consistency across settings and ages. Vivid sensory experiences emerged as a primary driver of nature connectedness, whereas culture depended on novelty and explicit learning, and interpersonal connectedness relied on social interactions. Additional analysis identified shared adventure as a relevant construct influencing nature connectedness. While a sense of connectedness may still be viewed as a single construct, the features that drive a sense of connection vary by domain. This research contributes to the growing literature about connectedness, offering insights into how to foster connection to nature, culture, and peers.