A parable illuminates the important interrelationship among aspects of outdoor education: adventure education, outdoor activities, environmental education, and deep ecology. A second parable illustrates the importance of understanding and connecting with nature and how this can be achieved through direct experience with the natural world. Includes…

Field notes written by students and guides during an eight-day university credit course in canoeing and wilderness living are presented as a dialogue to illuminate the spiritual experience of self-realization and well-being that comes to many students during the trip. (SV)