Maintaining that year-round programing can increase program efficiency and environmental utilization, this article notes advantages and disadvantages of winter programing; suggests 30 pointers for instructors to help manage the disadvantages of teaching in a cold climate; and presents a cold weather program strategy. (SB)

The British Department of Education and Skills has published a series of documents offering guidelines for health and safety issues during school field trips and adventure education trips. The table of contents for the core document and three supplements are presented. Web sites and other contact information are provided for these and other…

The most important skill for the transformational leader is building relationships through positive and effective communication. Provides guidelines for supporting and encouraging group members, setting the tone for the group, modeling communication behaviors, use of voice patterns, active listening, reflective communication (paraphrasing),…

Adventure programs should go beyond the "four Fs" of diversity activities (food, fashion, festivals, and facts) to explore differences and their implications for social justice. Possible group activities include sharing ethnic and family traditions surrounding a person's name and focusing on the cycle of socialization related to…

Electronic field trips allow students to visit far away places via the computer, at the same time enhancing their academic skills and learning about inquiry, research, and how to ask questions. The article describes several electronic field trips that are available and provides contact information. (SM)

Written primarily by camp administrators affiliated with the National Easter Seal Society, this publication is designed to help camp directors meet the challenges of including campers of all abilities in their camp programs. The first section provides an overview of the inclusion concept in general and at camp, and discusses legal and medical…

This guide presents a comprehensive framework for the development and provision of outdoor education and adventure programs for people of all abilities, including those who significantly challenge the service delivery system. Chapter 1 provides a rationale for the integration of disabled persons into outdoor education and adventure programs, and…

This paper provides information sources and ideas for challenge and adventure activities. Main information sources are listed: libraries, ERIC, and several publishers and programs. Some useful publications are described that provide activities and ideas related to outdoor education, environmental issues, games, special populations, educational…

This paper explores some aspects of building and fostering strong group dynamics to enhance expedition behavior and ultimately, successful wilderness group experiences. It attempts to reflect the needs of both large-scale expeditions and educational and camp groups traveling through wilderness, and includes various activities to allow for direct…

This paper begins by presenting three tests, which are included in the appendix, of one's awareness of physical risks. This exercise leads to a discussion of the differences between actual and perceived risk, why people participate in outdoor activities, and the inaccurate perception of actual risks. Complicating the issue of accurately perceiving…

Defining the nature and extent of risk associated with adventure education, this article notes the riskiest activities and delineates three main causes of accidents: unsafe conditions; unsafe acts; and judgmental errors. Careful program organization, staff selection, routine safety inspections, and emergency plans are also addressed. (SB)

An emotionally safe environment helps campers participate in adventure activities. Staff development tips for creating a safe environment include using cooperative goal setting; using parallel training processes; developing working lesson plans that outline facilitation techniques for creating emotionally safe environments; and using co-created…

Suggestions for meeting licensing requirements for adventure education programs in the United Kingdom include identifying risks that could result in death or disabling injury, determining whether these risks are being adequately controlled, documenting appropriate supervision of instructors, developing a safety policy that addresses staff…

Guidelines for beginning adventure education instructors include preparing to effectively manage accidents by identifying all risks associated with an activity, leading only those adventure activities in which one feels competent, and establishing goals in order to make good decisions in the field and approach programs with clarity and purpose.…

Describes techniques for teachers to use during rock climbing and ropes courses in order to challenge participants to succeed, including validating participants' feelings; explaining expectations of the activity such as safety, maintaining respect for others, and challenging physical and emotional limits; establishing participant goals; and…