The Development and Impact of a College Peer-Based Outdoor Wellness Program

Mental health challenges among college students continue to raise concerns as university counseling centers struggle to meet the demand for services. In response, nature-based interventions have gained attention and popularity as effective treatment approaches, especially for traditional college-aged populations. This article outlines the development and evaluation of a peer mentoring program that uses nature-based experiences, guided by the tenets of Self-Determination Theory to boost well-being. Pre–post data were collected using the connectedness to nature scale and well-being index, while qualitative data were collected using an online, end-of-program survey. The results from this pilot study indicate that participation in a nature-based, peer mentoring program increased student connection to nature, well-being, and enhanced a sense of connection to the local community. Based on these initial outcomes, we explore the program’s potential and offer recommendations for future research and program refinement.