This anthology of over 160 group activities is intended to help teachers, counselors, therapists, camp directors, and other group leaders to encourage group participation and learning in a way that is immediate, involving, and enjoyable. It also provides a resource for curriculum planners in adventure-based counseling programs. At the heart of…

A college honors course called "A Field Study in American Literature and Philosophy" helps students develop foundations for an environmental philosophy, by introducing them to the literature of natural history and exploration, and more importantly, through actual participation in outdoor activities. The class spends at least four days…

The evolution of the Outward Bound curriculum in the United States with emphasis on how it has changed to ensure greater transfer of course learning from the Outward Bound wilderness experience to experiences in daily life is examined. A typology of curriculum models is developed consisting of (1) a first generation "Mountains Speak for…

Explains the use of a computer as a planning and teaching tool in wilderness trip food planning. Details use of master food list and spreadsheet software such as VisiCalc to provide shopping lists for food purchasing, cost analysis, and diet analysis. (NEC)

Reports psychological benefits of participation in caving, rock climbing, ropes, and teams course of 30-day adventure program by 56 delinquent youth (ages 11-18). Concludes rope course satisfied independence, rewards, and variety more than caving; rock climbing satisfied independence and rewards more than caving; caving less beneficial than other…

This proceedings contains 21 papers and panel summaries from the 1997 International Conference on Outdoor Recreation and Education. Introductory items include conference highlights, history, and schedule overview. Entries are: "Outdoor Leadership 2000" (Simon Priest); "Permits To Operate: Doing What We Do with the Proper…

This paper summarizes research to ascertain the need for university-based courses in adventure therapy in Australia. Three main sources of data were examined: questionnaires; a literature review; and anecdotal data such as unstructured interviews, personal conversations, and e-mail. Questionnaires were completed by 25 persons: 19 Australians and 6…

In two articles on outdoor programming models, Watters distinguished four models on a continuum ranging from the common adventure model, with minimal organizational structure and leadership control, to the guide service model, in which leaders are autocratic and trips are highly structured. Club programs and instructional programs were in between,…

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)

Basic concepts of experiential learning theory are presented to assist camp directors in choosing knowledgeable staff and developing successful adventure programs. These concepts include assessment of learner (camper) readiness, activity sequencing, learning cycle, comfort zone, activity framing, task goals versus process goals, and five stages of…

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…

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…

Outlines components of fear in outdoor adventure activities. Reports ratings by 311 Outward Bound students of 23 common fears in the outdoors. Discusses techniques of fear reduction therapy: systematic desensitization, flooding, modeling of coping methods by instructors, and rehearsal of adaptive behaviors. Contains 16 references. (SV)

Calls for further research evaluating corporate adventure training (CAT) programs. Reviews activities and benefits associated with CAT, summarizes studies conducted on the efficacy of CAT programs, describes appropriate research designs for investigating how and why CAT programs work, and addresses barriers to producing meaningful research. (LP)

A strategy for transferring learning from adventure experiences to daily life situations incorporates the use of isomorphs and metaphors. Explains how to develop isomorphic frames and select metaphoric experiences that can be used in adventure programming, especially with clients in therapy. (LP)