Embedding Field Research on Mentored Inclusive Recreation in an Urban Population—The Evolution of Opening Doors: Project Adventure

Community-based interventions have greater relevance and a greater chance of success and sustainability when the community is collaboratively involved in the research process. Opening Doors: Project Adventure is a research project designed to evaluate the impact of community-based inclusive recreation, using supportive mentoring, on children and youth with disabilities and special health care needs (CYDS). The project has a central goal of engaging CYDS who are members of underrepresented minorities, including those who face linguistic, cultural, and/or financial barriers to participation. In this article we describe the process of working with community partners and the lessons learned in the development and implementation of Project Adventure.