Two case studies illustrate the differences between two perspectives on adventure activities and therapy: in "adventure therapy," adventure activities were a tool within a psychotherapeutic intervention with a disturbed delinquent, while in "therapeutic adventure," adventure activities offered opportunities for a group of…

Outlines the adventure-based counseling process used with adolescent sex offenders at Treetop Adventure. Discusses the nature of "success" in this program, processing of participants' reactions to stressful situations, and building trust in preparation for intensive campfire sessions that draw out disclosures of sexual offenses. (SV)

Explores benefits and impacts of outdoor leadership development programs upon disabled individuals, their friends, and program staff members. Explains four outdoor therapeutic recreation program models developed at Indiana University's Bradford Woods Outdoor Education, Recreation and Camping Center. Contains seven references. (TES)

Analyzes the actions taken by an instructor when a student fell while climbing a gill (a gorge cut into the mountainside by a fast-flowing stream). Stresses the importance of instructors making quick decisions and remaining calm during a potentially dangerous situation. Suggests using a hand line in the future to alert students of risk involved.…

On a canoeing trip with a group of 8 14-year olds, the leader was faced with a paddler who floated away from the group, a capsizer, and a reluctant participant. Subsequent analysis of the situation suggests that a briefing on signals prior to the experience and an experienced assistant in two locations were needed. (KS)

Debriefing is a process of guiding reflection on experience. Ideally, facilitators conduct debriefing sessions frequently and in proximity to the experience location. Includes a model "debriefing funnel" into which the facilitators pour experiences, pass those experiences through five reflective filters, and distill a learning change in…

A corporate adventure consultant uses personal anecdotes to illustrate how intuition can guide decision making about which issues and ideas to address during adventure experiences, as well as how to frame an experience to meet multiple objectives. Intuition can be a leader's powerful ally in determining when and why to shift roles (consultant,…

Outward Bound Czech Republic developed a course for international participants in which everybody is simultaneously an actor and viewer in a 2-week theater play. A five-stage process of developing "dramaturgy" allows instructors to adapt the scenario to participant needs and thus enhance the likelihood of challenge and transfer of…

Describes how camp counselors can foster camaraderie among campers through participative decision making, name games, listening, adventure courses, storytelling, spending time in nature, decorating cabins, avoiding favoritism, setting rules, admitting faults, setting group goals, and praising sincere efforts. (TD)

Creativity is the ultimate therapeutic experience because it validates the creator's abilities and allows the risk taking that enables growth. An adventure therapy session involving a group of recovering adult substance abusers illustrates how creativity is used to organize the group, determine the group's needs, generate meaning, and translate…

Discusses a Christian adventure program that uses quotations and stories from the New Testament to tie group experiences to Christian teachings about loving one's neighbor, taking risks, working together, respect, actions in a crisis, unselfishness, contemplation, reflection and prayer, and forgiveness. Emphasizes the experiential teachings of…

Discusses the integration of wilderness pursuits and outdoor opportunities with more traditional student orientation activities, an area of programming that has become increasingly popular over the last several years in response to changing student interests. Addresses the structure of wilderness pursuit orientation programs, liability issues, and…

This pyramid model of team development has four sides--awareness, behavior, communication, and direction--on a foundation of evaluation. The four equal sides of a pyramid represent the equal importance of the different roles, including leader, within a team. All team members are involved in evaluation and deciding what is important, which empowers…

Some of the present approaches for studying adventure education are based on grounded theory, folk pedagogies, and existing social science theory. These approaches share some problems, including: (a) an overemphasis on outcomes without specifying processes, (b) a misunderstanding of how different types of evaluation contribute to theory, and (c)…

Though wilderness therapy programs are growing in number and popularity, the theoretical basis for distinguishing wilderness therapy from traditional therapeutic modalities is lacking. Existing models describing the wilderness therapy process have been stage-based, meaning the process has been conceptualized as sequential and discrete. Lost in…