Gives practical ideas for successful first aid simulations with specific steps for planning, executing, and debriefing. Emphasizes safety measures, realism, and planning for a definite purpose, e.g., motivating students to learn first aid/emergency procedures. Suggestions for debriefing cover time to air feelings, construct a factual chronology,…

Describes a weekend wilderness experience that is part of an outdoor education program on fall and winter survival techniques. Training includes such classroom reinforcement and outdoor exercises as fire and shelter building, map and compass work, group cooperation initiatives, rock climbing, search and rescue techniques, and identification of…

Sailing expeditions have played an important role in adventure provision for young people in Great Britain over many years. Adventure experiences under sail can achieve social and personal development goals similar to those of land-based adventure education programs. In addition, participants can earn certification in sailing skills. Most voyages…

This paper provides information sources and ideas for challenge and adventure activities. Main information sources are listed: libraries, ERIC, and several publishers and programs. Some useful publications are described that provide activities and ideas related to outdoor education, environmental issues, games, special populations, educational…

This paper reviews the literature associated with outdoor leadership and describes ongoing research about outdoor program directors' hiring preferences when filling outdoor leadership positions. Nineteen articles published in the Journal of Experiential Education, 1983-1996, as well as several book collections of leadership articles, discuss…

This paper explores some aspects of building and fostering strong group dynamics to enhance expedition behavior and ultimately, successful wilderness group experiences. It attempts to reflect the needs of both large-scale expeditions and educational and camp groups traveling through wilderness, and includes various activities to allow for direct…

Creating a nonthreatening atmosphere, drawing out introverted participants, and relating the lessons of programmed activities to everyday life are a few of the challenges of quality processing (debriefing). At times, alternative methods of processing open doors when straightforward questioning does not. In some instances, alternative methods serve…

Augustana University College (Alberta, Canada) offers a senior-level outdoor pursuits course called Arctic Canoe Expeditions, open to any student with a previous canoe-based outdoor course. Course goals are for students to apply knowledge from previous outdoor courses, integrate knowledge from their home disciplines into the experience, explore a…

To ensure that the rapidly growing climbing gym industry maintains the excellent safety record established so far, the Climbing Gym Association (CGA) has developed the Peer Review and Accreditation Program, a process of review between qualified and experienced CGA reviewers and a climbing facility operator to assess the facility's risk management…

This paper begins by presenting three tests, which are included in the appendix, of one's awareness of physical risks. This exercise leads to a discussion of the differences between actual and perceived risk, why people participate in outdoor activities, and the inaccurate perception of actual risks. Complicating the issue of accurately perceiving…

A study examined changes in self-concept of adolescents enrolled in outdoor adventure education courses offered at a private college-preparatory high school in New York City. Surveys were completed by 94 students, 36 of whom were enrolled in outdoor adventure education courses; 25 of these were males and 11 were females. Results found no…

Many decisions made by outdoor leaders are critical to the well-being of an entire group. Understanding the psychology of groups is important to successful leadership. This paper presents ways that individuals are motivated in groups, how groups respond, some symptoms of problems, and strategies to divert problems that can overwhelm a group.…

This resource guide compiles research studies and papers about women in experiential education and recreation in the natural environment. This guide focuses on adventure-based activities and physical recreation in the outdoors; therefore, information regarding women in forestry, natural resources, and ecofeminism has not been included. With the…

Defining the nature and extent of risk associated with adventure education, this article notes the riskiest activities and delineates three main causes of accidents: unsafe conditions; unsafe acts; and judgmental errors. Careful program organization, staff selection, routine safety inspections, and emergency plans are also addressed. (SB)

The annotated bibliography of 21 books dealing with the lives and experiences of women who have lived in wilderness America focuses on women living outside urban society who have depended on their own and the environment's resources for survival. Includes a special section of books for young people. (SB)