This article provides an overview of trip programming in Alaska for those seeking a low-cost wilderness adventure. Alaska is a land of glaciers, mountains, lakes, rivers, forests, and wildlife. Safety is a major concern when traveling in Alaska. A local guide or outdoor educator can assist with safety and logistical planning. Travelers should plan…

Many instructors and managers of adventure programs come to a time in their careers when they consider starting a program. In all cases, such a consideration begins with an idea. Evaluation of an idea's feasibility involves: (1) development of a program description that includes goals and objectives; (2) review of the proposal by others; (3)…

There has been a dramatic increase in the number of wilderness activities which are enjoyed by people with disabling conditions. With this increase comes the need to identify and deal with risks. Potential problems are discussed, and tips to minimize risk are offered. (MT)

Outdoor adventure education programs generally have not met the demands of older adults. Ways to attract older adults to these programs and to tailor activities to allay their fears and maximize their enjoyment are discussed. (PP)

At an elementary school near Columbus, Ohio, adventure activities have been a part of the basic instructional program for 10 years. These activities are described. (MT)

This paper discusses how outdoor recreation and education personnel can work with the laws, regulations, patterns, and vagaries of educational and institutional permitting on public lands in the United States. The difference between a permit and a management plan is defined: a permit authorizes a specific activity with restrictions of amount,…

Uses the scenario of a women's adventure therapy trip to illustrate theoretical and practical information about "basic" therapeutic communication skills with participants in outdoor adventure settings. Discusses gender-based language style (women's "tentative" language), issues of physical and emotional safety, a philosophical…

Ropes and other challenge courses can be important tools in treatment and rehabilitation strategies for people with disabilities. Making challenge courses accessible to people of all abilities fosters integration and acceptance of disabled persons. Suggestions for building or modifying courses for accessibility are provided. (SV)

This paper offers suggestions for making ropes challenge courses accessible to individuals with special needs. Federal legislation requires that programs be updated to be inclusive of individuals with disabilities. A transdisciplinary approach is suggested for promoting a better and safer program based on input from occupational therapists,…

A professional adventure educator offers numerous resources about adventure-based learning, drawn from his book, "Teamwork and Teamplay." Organizational resources include libraries, the Educational Resource Information Center (ERIC), Kendall/Hunt publishers, the American Camping Association book store, Project Adventure, the Association for…

The learning sequence (TLS) is an adaptable, dynamic framework for designing any learning experience. TLS consists of seven steps (sense of each other, sense of place, group norms, relevance, the experience itself, reflection, transfer) that provide a foundation, a reference point to return to when an unexpected situation arises, and a common…

Steps in integrating character values into the camp curriculum are: having a vision, choosing character values and relating them to program activities, providing incentives, ensuring that all levels can be completed during the camp session, making the program age-appropriate, providing staff training, tracking campers' progress, seeking feedback,…

Tree climbing offers a safe, inexpensive adventure sport that can be performed almost anywhere. Using standard procedures practiced in tree surgery or rock climbing, almost any tree can be climbed. Tree climbing provides challenge and adventure as well as a vigorous upper-body workout. Tree Climbers International classifies trees using a system…

The paper explores basic concepts of mental retardation and proposes wilderness adventure programing as an approach that offers mentally retarded persons the dignity of taking a reasonable risk. Benefits of such programing are cited for affective, cognitive, and psychomotor domains. Processes involved in the therapeutic bases for program…

Explains how experiential programs and organizations can improve relationships with their insurance companies by understanding the insurance industry's perspective and techniques of risk management. Suggests 22 specific items of information that experiential education organizations should share with insurers to demonstrate understanding and…