Research on extreme sports has downplayed the importance of the athletes' connection to the natural world. This neglect stems, in part, from the assumption that these activities derive their meaning primarily from risk. The authors' long-term research reveals that the interplay between adventure athletes and the natural world is, in fact, crucial…

Self-awareness, cultural competency, environmental consciousness, and economic empathy are often achieved through study abroad travel experiences. This phenomenological study was intended to shed light on the international backpacking study abroad experiences for college students, describing the phenomenon from the perspective of the participants…

While speaking to Gold Award Achievers in Toronto in 2002, Tony Comper, past President and Chief Executive Officer of the BMO Financial Group, referred to the Duke of Edinburgh's (DofE) Award as a program "so brilliantly simple, it's simply brilliant." This ironic statement has echoed in the Ontario division of the DofE Award ever since.…

Allowing students a sense of autonomy has long been considered an important pedagogical tool. This paper synthesizes the current literature on student autonomy from the education, youth development, and outdoor adventure fields and explores its value through an analysis of data from the National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS). The results…

The comfort zone model is widespread within adventure education literature. It is based on the belief that when placed in a stressful situation people will respond by overcoming their fear and therefore grow as individuals. This model is often presented to participants prior to activities with a highly perceived sense of risk and challenge which…

Adventurous activities are growing in popularity as a form of leisure and recreation, yet many non-participants find it difficult to understand what motivates people to seek out situations in which there is an element of danger and risk. This research examines the meanings of long-term participation in outdoor adventure for women working in…

A study examined the effectiveness of the Life/Career Renewal Program (LCR), a wilderness program for adults, in enhancing personal growth initiative (PGI) of 68 participants. Results support the hypothesis that the LCR program enhances PGI. (Author/JOW)

Facilitators of experiential learning join together with clients to create and edit clients'"stories" of their experiences in ways that are relevant to clients' issues. Facilitators must accurately assess client needs to enhance the quality of the learning experience, indicate directions and sources for functional change, and create…

Outward Bound experiences, like rapelling down a mountain, help individuals confront and overcome fears. As a result, they can become better at their jobs. (JOW)

Traces types of expeditions in the history of civilization. Describes the following phases in the current expedition experience: (1) conceptualization/dream phase; (2) the preparation phase; (3) the action/reality phase; and (4) the reporting/reflective/processing phase. An expedition should be self-contained, have an element of challenge, and…

Integrates several techniques of psychodynamic therapy with the conceptual and metaphorical world of adventure therapy. Discusses a model of the metaphorical connection between self and experience, in which the client creates a self-metaphor to illuminate his or her experience during an adventure activity and thereby unlocks the unconscious and…

This paper defines the field of adventure therapy and relates it to other types of adventure activities. Outdoor adventure may have recreational, educational, or enrichment goals that focus on having fun, increasing participant knowledge, or building skills such as communication in a target group. Adventure therapy, on the other hand, has the…

Addresses Outward Bound's redirection and rededication of service by taking a closer look at Hahn's philosophy of service and the models provided by various service-learning programs outside of Outward Bound. Examples which highlight major issues involved are Outward Bound Living/Learning Term and Tucker Foundation at Dartmouth College. (ERB)

This study looks at two curriculum areas; adventure education and religious education. Each is examined separately to establish common ground for the interface. This interface is then explored in some depth. This study seeks to show the contribution that religious education can make in developing and executing a response to issues that will arise…

Forty-four males and 40 females completed an adaptation of the Linear Arousal and Stress Scale after a 1-day rafting trip. Men showed higher base levels of anxiety than women. Anxiety and arousal increased significantly prior to the first rapid. Levels of anxiety and arousal during this adventure activity changed constantly as different situations…