Describing a five-day resident outdoor education program at Cortland, New York which is part of a full year ecology course offered to seniors at New Hartford High School, this article details preparation activities and each of the five day's activities (nature hikes, canoe trips, night hikes, journal writing, etc.). (JC)

Advocates use of rituals to foster intimate, caring relationship with one's place and to develop a sense of community within a group. Describes "Talking Staff" and "Medicine Wheel" as tools for debriefing, performance of camp chores, and fostering ecological awareness and a sense of place. (NEC)

Identifies series of predictable stages through which small groups progress: pre-affiliation, power and control, intimacy, differentiation, and separation. Shows application of group development for each area as group passes through various stages. Outlines model for each area summarizing group interaction and instructor roles for each stage. (NEC)

Examines perceived threat of commercialism on the ethical foundation of the experiential education movement. Contends that relationship between humanistic values often espoused by experiential educators need not be in conflict with a commercial, profit-oriented perspective. (NEC)

Discusses the wilderness lab medium for executive and team development. Provides insights on key design elements and facilitation challenges useful to potential wilderness lab "consumers." (JOW)

Provides timely information and strategies for coping with changes in the insurance industry that affect cost and availability of liability coverage for experiential education programs. Suggests ways for outdoor programs to transfer and avoid risk and to control risk if it must be assumed. (JHZ)

Reviews the history of risk management and currently popular risk management tools, e.g., item-decision model and frequency/severity matrix. Discusses the safety record of outdoor adventure programs including data on injury rates and frequent accident types. Argues for flexible and realistic safety procedures and serious study of the phenomenon of…

Integrated adventure programs are those in which persons with and without disabilities participate together in planned adventure activities. A study sought to identify the leadership competencies necessary for leaders of integrated outdoor adventure programs and to measure the effectiveness of a staff training addressing one of these competencies.…

How could handchipped stones, ancient ruins, old broken dishes, and antiquated garbage help students learn about the world and themselves? Within archaeology, these seemingly irrelevant items can enlighten students about the world around them through science, culture, and history. When teaching archaeology in the classroom, educators can lead…

Advises precautionary measures for adventure programs: establishment of an authority to control choices concerning school wilderness trips (what trips are allowed, who leads, who goes, what about safety measures); preparation of an up-to-date statement of policies and procedures; and continuing evaluation of the programs. (JD)

The forming stage is when group members get acquainted. During the storming stage, conflict and competition arise. Good things are beginning to happen during the norming stage. The performing stage is highly productive, featuring unity and group identity. The transforming stage allows members to regroup, thank each other, and disengage. Adventure…

Experiential learning can be understood as a process in which learners recognize and develop their "action-theory." The aim of outdoor development programs--whether mainstream education, corporate training, or therapy--is to facilitate this process. A "reflection-in-action" approach to facilitation is presented and situated in…

People involved in adventurous activities frequently experience positive phenomena termed peak experience, peak performance, and "flow." Characteristics of these phenomena are compared, along with factors influencing the ability to experience such peak moments. Csikszentmihalyi's flow models are examined with regard to perceived levels…

A survey examining social group participation of 584 whitewater kayakers found that friends and fellow paddlers of similar skill were the most popular choices as kayaking companions. Social group choice was predicted by psychological outcomes, personal involvement in kayaking, and group size. Discusses implications for development and marketing of…