The underlying values and principles of the "common adventure" model are presented. Features of a common adventure trip include a group of individuals working cooperatively toward mutual goals and sharing expenses, decision making, and responsibilities equitably. The common adventure model is contrasted with adventure education,…

A day-by-day account describes Camp Greentop's first 5-day adventure camping trip, which was attended by five individuals with disabilities and their counselors. The first day was spent in games and initiatives designed to develop communication, teamwork, and dependability. Other days were devoted to hiking, rock climbing, and whitewater rafting.…

Describes characteristics and nature of games, which are a type of experiential learning useful for personal and group development. Discusses the four phases of game sessions (planning, introducing, action, and debriefing or processing); roles that leaders must enact to be effective; and some common problems that leaders encounter. (TD)

Defines debriefing as a process of guiding reflection on experience in order to learn from the experience. Examines why debriefing is necessary; who runs it; and when, where, and how it is conducted. Guides facilitators through five categories of questions: review, recall, and remember; affect/effect; summation; application; and commitment. (TD)

Describes nine group activities used to build cooperation and teamwork in adventure-, challenge-, and experiential-education settings. Includes target group, group size, time and space requirements, activity level, props needed, instructions, ideas for post-activity group processing and reflection, and facilitator tips. Target groups include…

Adolescent development can be influenced by two critical factors in camp programming: content of the values that shape and inform the camper and degree of challenge. Camp adventure activities successfully merge recreation and education in an outdoor setting that provides space for the explorations of youth. Camp can play a unique role in guiding…

Creativity is valued increasingly in business and education. Humor, fun, and play take the brain from a cognitive, rule-bound state to a more fluid state where the whole body can work on a problem while the "thinking mind" is relaxed. Vignettes demonstrate how adventure education stimulates creativity through play, fun, humor, and…

Describes the facilitation of group ice-breakers and orientation activities that emphasize the individual's influence on group rhythms and the group's freedom to create its own "climate controls." Comments on the creation of the "Being"--a metaphor for the group as a living organism. (SAS)

Tacit knowledge is a generally unarticulated, preconscious form of knowledge that forms a basis for human judgment and decision making. Tacit knowledge is acquired primarily through experience, usually observation of and working with "qualified" teachers or mentors. Tacit knowledge may also be described as "practical," that is,…

This paper explores different responses to "religious" questions raised within adventure therapy programs. Religious education contributes to adventure therapy by enabling an adequate handling of the issues raised within participants' consciousness by adventure experiences. The belief issues raised within adventure therapy can be divided…

This paper is an account of Russian and American educators exploring the use of experiential education in schools and organizations. The goal of experiential education is to find harmony between the individual and the group. In August of 1988, 18 students and 2 professors from the Soviet Union came to Dartmouth (New Hampshire) as part of a…

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…

This annual collection promotes scholarly writing, applied research findings, and innovative programs and activities in experiential education. Topics of the 1988 papers include (1) "Gender Issues in Outdoor Adventure Programming" (Natalie L. Bartley and Daniel R. Williams) about the effects of outdoor leaders' gender, personality, soft skills…

Shares therapeutic and economic practices surrounding equipment used in New York's Higher Horizons adventure program of therapy for troubled youth. Encourages educators, therapists, and administrators to explore relationship between equipment selection, program goals, and clients. (NEC)

Examines research in a variety of fields to assess the ways in which experiences in the wilderness contribute to physical, emotional, and spiritual health. Considers psychological benefits, enhancement of self-worth, ability to learn, and physical fitness. (NEC)