Corrymeela, a Christian community in Northern Ireland, uses a variety of activities, one of which is outdoor education, to tackle the challenges of living within a contested society and to model new possibilities. Structured peace-building experiences focus on the relational aspect of those people, groups, and communities who experience conflict.…

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…

At Indiana University, the Department of Recreation and Park Administration and Indiana University Outdoor Adventures (IUOA) work together to offer university students for-credit courses in recreation skills. Since 1997, graduate students trained and directed by IUOA have taught 1-credit courses in specific outdoor skills, based on nationally…

A study examined the relationship between older adults' motivations to participate in outdoor adventure experiences and their retirement status. Surveys of 782 adults over 55 years old participating in 72 outdoor adventure programs found that although there were several significant differences in motivation based on retirement status, the overall…

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)

Significant increases in global self-esteem and the four subdomains of physical self-worth were measured in 66 males and 60 females with a mean age of 15.1 years who participated in a (British) Duke of Edinburgh's Award Scheme expedition, indicating that adventure education can be a vehicle for personal and social development. Contains 21…

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…

Safety qualifications for adventure education are not intended to prevent the enjoyment of adventure. Good training enables participants to avoid basic errors and tackle greater adventure sooner. Discusses the need to balance individual freedom with responsibility, and how the Lyme Bay canoeing deaths prompted increased concern in Great Britain…

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…

Examines effective leadership strategies for promoting positive group experiences on outdoor trips by recognizing diversity and people's fears about diversity and by encouraging participants to express their perspectives and wants. Presents examples from Woodswomen, an adventure program that offers wilderness trips for women. (SV)

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)

Describes an "integrative outreach" program designed to meet the developmental needs of adolescents in the Maine state child welfare system. Claims the program activities mirror and promote the adolescent transition from acting-out behavior to emotional verbalization and therefore may provide an intermediate step between traditional…