Abstract:
The purpos e of this phenomenological research is to explore the meaning of
a YMCA-sponsored after-school recreation program in the lives of four adolescent
boys. Listening to youth voice is impor t ant to the ability of othe r s to design,
implement and evaluate high-quality programs tha t facilitate learning opportunities
tha t a r e meaningful to participants. Within the context of interviews, task-based
activities we r e used to ga the r data. Guided by Creswell's analytic spiral (1998), data
wa s analyzed according to van Manen's (1990) thematic analysis and Caeilli's
(2000) creative narrative analysis. It wa s found tha t this after-school progr am
provided the s e adolescents with the opportunity to escape from the i r monotonous
after-school activities and the instability of the i r home and school environments.
Also, they we r e connected wi th positive peers, caring adults and the wide r
community, opportunities tha t we r e limited in othe r aspects of the i r lives.
Methodological issues a r e also discussed.
