Navigating two cultures: an investigation of cultures of a responsibility-based physical activity program and school

We investigated the culture of a responsibility-based physical activity program called Project Effort as well as the school culture of its participants. Five children who had at least one full semester of participation in the program participated in the study. We collected data from participants' individual interviews and observations of their involvement at school and in Project Effort. Findings revealed a distinct incongruence between the participants' perceptions of the atmosphere of the after-school program and school. Although explicitly similar values were emphasized between Project Effort and school, participants suggested these values were distorted between the two settings. For example, the empowerment values in Project Effort (e.g., respect, responsibility) were perceived as a discipline approach in the school setting. Participants'perceptions of cultural differences functioned as a barrier to the transfer of program values to the school context.