After discussing theoretical perspectives on the connection between sports, recreation, and delinquency, the study reviews major overseas research on the relationship between high school athletic participation and delinquency and the nature of wilderness/survival/adventure programs. Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal initiatives in outdoor programs for young offenders as well as other sporting/recreational activities and research are considered. The study concludes that wilderness/survival/adventure programs can be useful in addressing the developmental needs of delinquents and youth in general. Such programs, however, must not be viewed as an end in themselves. Sports and recreational programs are but one feature of a general strategy to improve the social, economic, and political opportunities for youth. Such programs offer advantages for young Aborigines. As a delinquency prevention effort, however, they should not be viewed as a substitute for more wide-ranging economic and social reforms for deprived Aboriginal communities. Appended supplementary information. 74-item bibliography.