Development of Forest-based Health Promotion Program forVulnerable School Children

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to develop a forest-based health promotion program for vulnerable schoolchildren. Methods: The specific process for program development involved establishing a program goal, assessingthe needs of the participants, analyzing existing programs and constructing a forest-based program. Results:Each session of the program, which consisted of a total of 10 sessions, included 40 to 50 minutes of indoor educationfor children's physical and psychosocial health and 60 to 70 minutes of forest experience activities with nursingstudent mentors. For the application of the program, guidelines for mentor selection and prior education, physicalenvironment check, children's safety, criteria for evaluation of the program effects and operation of the programwere developed. Conclusion: This study presents the specific procedures and contents for developing a forest-based program for vulnerable school children. The results of this study will provide useful data to develop acommunity-based program to promote the physical and psychosocial health of vulnerable school children.