Examining Instructor’s and Student’s Perceptions in an after School Program Focused on Emotional Recovery following a Natural Disaster

This study examined students and instructors perceptions of their participation in a physical activity after school program focused on emotional recovery following a natural disaster. Forty-five elementary aged children and four instructors participated in the study. Student and instructor perceptions were observed through non-participant observation, formal and informal interviews. Results showed that the children expressed enjoyment of the physical education portion of the program, while communicating that the stress reducing techniques were applicable, practical, simple to use, multi-dimensional and transferable to other contexts. The instructors expressed both apprehension and excitement about initiating the program, while voicing guilt and a desire to give back to the community for reasons to participate.