Risk is positioned as a distinguishing feature of outdoor adventure education (OAE) pedagogy. Risk defines much of what happens in OAE, from participants "taking" risks to instructors "managing" risks. The taken-for-granted centrality of risk continues to have currency due to the thrill and allure of adventurous outdoor activities. This paper…

While adventure activities seem a natural fit for middle elementary, teachers often overlook the importance of cooperative or team building activities with younger students (K-2). This could be due to a lack of knowledge or the misconception that one needs a climbing wall or other low level initiatives to offer such a program. When designing…

One curriculum that can be used by physical educators to promote positive social skills between students with Down syndrome (DS) and their peers is adventure programming. Adventure programming combines experiential learning, physical activity, and group facilitation techniques that physical education teachers can implement as a way to build an…

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 describes an established model leadership talent development program based on a weekend retreat combining experiential and seminar components. The conception and evolution of the program is outlined, and key components contributing to its success are described. Follow-up activities in regular academic settings throughout the year are…

Making errors can be a salutary learning experience. The problem in outdoor adventure education is to protect the error makers from real harm, which requires careful structuring of the learning situation. Discusses error limits, how much error correction is appropriate, involving participants in decision making, video playback and debriefing…

Adventure educators must elevate participants' experience beyond a parade in the environment. Innovative right-brain strategies that can be used before, during, and after the encounter to capture the wonder of the "natural moment" include visualization, sensitizing, treating flora and fauna as celebrities, thematic photography, the mind…

As a teacher, the author is always interested in novel pedagogical methods for presenting complex concepts and material in genetics that interest and engage the students, while helping them understand and recall the lesson. In this article, she describes sock and yarn models that allow students the opportunity to examine the meiotic process in a…

A study of a coeducational outdoor/adventure program for 13- to 15-year olds at Shotmoor, England, where all participated in the same activities. The boys' beliefs about the abilities of girls were altered in a way that would not have occurred in a classroom. (DM)

Activities for team-building in college-level management and organizational behavior classes are described. The exercises use adventure-education techniques but have as their central theme the production of rhythms in various forms: creating predictable agendas; beating simple rhythms on desks; a Japanese hand clapping; recitation; and feeling…

Three entries address various outdoor education issues. The first outlines eight steps for promoting professional work. The second suggests ways to adapt 16 games, group initiatives, and ropes course elements to teach environmental concepts. The third explains the use of belay anchors, or cork-screw anchors designed to tether large dogs. (JHZ)

Asserts outdoor education leaders need to develop specific skills to aid participants in processing structured experiences to gain awareness and assist them in transferring learning to other life situations. Defines, organizes, and sequences specific components of the science of processing. Provides a sample processing scenario. (NEC)

Outlines components of fear in outdoor adventure activities. Reports ratings by 311 Outward Bound students of 23 common fears in the outdoors. Discusses techniques of fear reduction therapy: systematic desensitization, flooding, modeling of coping methods by instructors, and rehearsal of adaptive behaviors. Contains 16 references. (SV)

Suggests educational opportunities provided by well-planned campfire activities such as singing, skits, stories, cheers, and readings. Recommends planning a beginning, main body of the program, and an ending to create a meaningful, unified experience. (NEC)

Examines theories of specific, nonspecific, and metaphoric transfer of learning and outlines 10 factors and techniques to assist adventure educators in linking challenging experiences to students' future learning. (LFL)