Describes an adventure activity in which a group achieved a seemingly impossible goal by changing the way it imagined the task. Discusses the sequence of steps in metaphor development that led to the triggering of a generative metaphor: a new image of the task that allowed reframing of the problem and its eventual solution. (SV)

An adventure education program combines environmental education, character education, and service learning with ropes courses, orienteering, and rock climbing to offer Romanian youth opportunities for trust building and reconciliation in the wake of the economic, environmental, and moral devastation left by the Communist dictator. An ecotourism…

Aspects of outdoor adventure education such as sport and risk are increasingly commercialized, whereas the core value of connection--to community, the environment, or other people--is being lost. A shift from providing challenge to encouraging exploration may enable programs emphasizing connection to find a home in the "third sector"…

Characteristics of professions are identified, and based on those, adventure education is judged to be in its childhood. Development of standard curricular components of an adventure education degree would be a major step toward professionalization. Research would be stimulated, prospective students could use curricular standards for choosing…

Corrymeela, a Christian community in Northern Ireland, uses a variety of activities, one of which is outdoor education, to tackle the challenges of living within a contested society and to model new possibilities. Structured peace-building experiences focus on the relational aspect of those people, groups, and communities who experience conflict.…

Exploring the historical antecedents of Kurt Hahn's ideas, this article relates them to the philosophy of the Colorado Outward Bound School, examining some concepts in depth (e.g., physical challenge, self-discovery, individual student commitment, control of student activities, adventure/risk, small group dynamics, and community service). (DS)

At a European conference in Finland, various outdoor education organizations drafted a statement of intent for the newly created European Institute for Outdoor Adventure Education. Their common view of outdoor education is that it strives to stimulate personal and social development experientially through some experience of the outdoors. Discusses…

Safety qualifications for adventure education are not intended to prevent the enjoyment of adventure. Good training enables participants to avoid basic errors and tackle greater adventure sooner. Discusses the need to balance individual freedom with responsibility, and how the Lyme Bay canoeing deaths prompted increased concern in Great Britain…

Dr. Tom Smith, 1996 recipient of the Kurt Hahn Award, discusses life experiences that made him aware of the wilderness beyond and within, illuminated the connectedness of all things, and fueled his efforts to guide others to understand these important lessons. He questions whether outdoor education is reaching its full potential in teaching about…

Problem solving in adventure programs contains physical, social, philosophical, and transcendent (insightful) elements. Through transcendent experiences students reach a high level of performance, tolerance, and understanding. Instructors often attempt to facilitate transcendent experiences through such activities as the Native American…

Discusses the lack of theoretical principles underpinning experiential education. Outlines a flow model of experiential learning applicable to adventure education, involving the learner, reality context, new and applied skills, responsibility, and critical reflection. Suggests that even small increases in theoretical understanding will help…

A group solving the task of climbing a steep wall illustrates how adventure education can enable participants to trace how they get stuck in their view of things, and what it takes to adopt a new and generative image. The ability to change metaphors can be applied to core metaphors of relationships, communication, and visions of oneself. (TD)

Increasing violence and suicide among adolescent boys is attributed to a lack of security in our fast-changing society and a lack of direction and value for young men. Rites of passage constructively channel the undirected energies of youth to initiate a purposeful and responsive adulthood. Nine British programs are described, and recommendations…

Designing environmentally friendly challenge courses involves considering factors such as clearing, trees versus poles, soil erosion and compaction, toilet design, waste disposal, and carrying capacity. Strategies used in "green development" such as systems thinking, solution multipliers, and brainstorming with stakeholders could promote…

Anecdotes are used to illustrate how White, male, European values are embedded in adventure education. Traditional European assumptions about risk, challenge, and individual accomplishment may not be relevant to other cultures, women, or disadvantaged people. Those in adventure education need to throw out the cookie cutters and explore other ways…