The National Association of Therapeutic Wilderness Camps released a draft list of competency requirements for counselor certification. Lists of skills and competencies related to camping, safety, wilderness travel, outdoor leadership, crisis management, and therapeutic counseling are presented at two levels: initial certification and master-level…

As more people use wilderness areas, the need to protect pristine areas increases. Tips for minimizing impact include advance planning, knowing the rules of the area being used, packing properly, dispersing impacts when off-trail, leaving no garbage, taking nothing from the site, and conducting activities away from water sources and trails. Three…

Describes the contributions of 2 pioneers in camping programs, Lloyd Burgess Sharp and Lois Goodrich. (CH)

Two groups of students were taken on the same canoe trip and overnight outing. The unpleasant experience of the first group taught the leaders some important lessons about briefing, organizing access, checking gear, and preparedness in general that were used to make the second outing a success. (TD)

A group of outdoor teachers camping in the snow on high ground was caught in a blizzard at night. Their tents were ripped and they were forced to descend in the dark. Analysis determined that they had been caught unaware, they had improper equipment, and a lower-risk option for the descent would have been more prudent. (TD)

This annual collection promotes scholarly writing, applied research findings, and innovative programs and activities in experiential education. 1987 papers include: (1) "The Effects of a Structured Camp Experience on Perceived Freedom in Leisure" (Mark James) on the effects of a structured camp experience on handicapped participants' perceived…

Over 70 years ago, female leaders in organized camping, the only form of outdoor experiential education then available, shaped the meaning of professionalism and controlled organizational structures and policies. Their achievement is paradigmatic of women's professional struggles in the outdoor pursuits professions in this century. This book…

Responds to a letter from a camp leader who experienced difficulty with an adolescent girl during a 3-day hike and disapproved of a staff member's response. Offers advice on handling such a problem, addressing the staff member's intervention without undermining his credibility, revisiting the situation with the group, and exploiting the…

A study found that male and female co-leaders of wilderness camping trips were very aware of stereotypes of male and female leadership roles. Sometimes leaders deliberately performed stereotypical tasks and roles of the opposite sex, but tasks and roles generally resulted from preferences, necessity, or participant expectations. The D-R model of…

Questionnaire responses of 130 women outdoor leaders representing Outward Bound, all-women groups, university recreation instructors, and primary/secondary school teachers were compared as to background, income, motivations, and leadership perceptions. Essential leadership qualities were identified: effective communication skills and knowledge of…

This proceedings contains 13 papers from the 1998 Research Symposium of the Coalition for Education in the Outdoors. Following a preface "Building the Research Foundations of Outdoor Education" (Karen M. Fox, Leo H. McAvoy, Anderson B. Young), the entries are: (1) "An Integrative Review of the Literature on Women in the Outdoors" (Karla A.…

For decades, camps have served as outdoor learning laboratories for leadership development. Camps provide adolescents the opportunity to practice leadership skills through activities perceived as worthwhile and in environments that differ profoundly from everyday experience. A survey examined the self-perceived development of leadership skills at…

The National Outdoor Leadership School, located in Lander, Wyoming, is considered a leader in wilderness education. In addition to teaching the skills needed in various outdoor sports and activities, equal importance is given to teaching what to do in emergencies, how to communicate, and how to lead. This updated wilderness guide covers technical…

Within 30 years, European American people will be the minority population in the United States. Yet, cultural incompetency is pervasive in today's society. The camping and outdoor education professions must pay as much attention to cultural concerns as to technical aspects of their work. Safe places for all can be created by being knowledgeable…