In recent years, a British government initiative has been pursuing the aim of National/Scottish Vocational Qualifications in all industries, trades, and professions. However, exemptions have been permitted for National Governing Body awards, such as exist for various sports and recreational areas. Efforts to reconcile these two parallel…

Summarizes the activities of the Young Explorers Trust (Great Britain) over the past 25 years including funding, expedition sites, purposes of expeditions, and origins of expeditions. Comments on the origin, growth, and trends in expedition adventure programming. (SAS)

The Duke of Edinburgh's Award adopted flexible and creative strategies for delivering the expeditions section since the UK countryside was severely restricted during the foot-and-mouth crisis. This includes the option of undertaking ventures during winter. Because of greater risks during winter, advice and requirements are given concerning…

Three British outdoor educators point out that the push to license the outdoor industry now means that paper qualifications are favored over experience, thus increasing risk; argue that riskless adventure is impossible and pointless; and suggest returning to the real outdoors, rather than attempting to develop watered-down, imitation adventure…

The director of an outdoor education center for children with disabilities (Bendrigg Trust, England) discusses the center's work, effects of the Cairngorm tragedy and recent licensing requirements as lessening the adventure aspect of outdoor education, qualities of good outdoor educators, freelance instructors versus full-time staff, the use of…

Brian Davies, chairman of the British Association of Heads of Outdoor Education Centres, discusses the effects of licensing on outdoor education, the decline of spontaneity and adventure in outdoor education, private versus public outdoor education centers, what makes a good outdoor education teacher, diversity represented by different outdoor…

The Head of Inspection Services for the Adventure Activities Licensing Authority (Great Britain) comments on the licensing scheme's first year and implications for five sectors of adventure providers. Summarizes responses to a proposed "nonstatutory approval scheme" that would be available on a voluntary basis to providers of outdoor and…

Criticizes the New Zealand approach to outdoor leadership, which relies on teaching risk assessment and management from manuals and checklists and which asserts that risk-management skills are transferable between risky sports. Suggests that sound outdoor practice involves more than "legal duty of care," and recommends reliance on…

Outlines environmental, equipment, and social changes related to the Duke of Edinburgh's Award Expedition since 1956, and debates the need to restore the expedition's physical challenge or to emphasize the developmental inner journey of the mind and spirit. Considers whether the purpose of the expedition is a physical challenge or a developmental…

Technology is influencing the evolution of adventure and outdoor education. Technology can negate adventure by dispelling the need of skill and mastery for attainment and by fostering a consumer mentality. Technology can enhance adventure by creating new experiences and suggesting that more is now possible. The challenge is to embody appropriate…

Describes an outdoor adventure and environmental program for young people in Cumbria (England) that aims to raise social and environmental awareness through ecological, artistic, and adventurous activities. Non-hierarchical, learner-centered residential and nonresidential projects empower young people to become interested in their local…

Recent research has demonstrated that employers can benefit from the participation of their staff in expeditions. The outcomes of expedition experiences are similar to those of outdoor development courses and include the personal development of expedition participants with regard to work performance, interpersonal skills, and learning. (Author/TD)

Nature stirs many emotions, beliefs, and feelings, and perhaps the real value of outdoor education is to provide opportunities to develop intangible concepts. Discusses ways in which traditional outdoor expeditions can foster increased appreciation of nature and stimulate participants' reflection on their own and their classmates' aesthetic,…

The British Department of Education and Skills has published a series of documents offering guidelines for health and safety issues during school field trips and adventure education trips. The table of contents for the core document and three supplements are presented. Web sites and other contact information are provided for these and other…

Participants at a British workshop on outdoor education and spiritual development concluded that outdoor programs provide special opportunities for developing spiritual awareness; maximizing relevance to everyday life is essential; and facilitators need good group-work skills. Participants also discussed contemplation versus excitement in outdoor…