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…

QUEST, the outdoor experimental learning program at Bloomsburg State College, is patterned after the Outward Bound philosophy and aims at personal development of students through strenuous physical and emotional experiences. (JMF)

Describes an adventure activity in which a group achieved a seemingly impossible goal by changing the way it imagined the task. Discusses the sequence of steps in metaphor development that led to the triggering of a generative metaphor: a new image of the task that allowed reframing of the problem and its eventual solution. (SV)

Describes a group activity that uses a tree as a metaphor to reflect both group and personal growth during adventure activities. The tree's roots represent the group's formation, the branches and leaves represent the group's diversity and capabilities, and the seeds represent the personal learning and growth that took place within the group.…

Wilderness Adventure, an Elderhostel course sponsored by Unity College in Maine, gives people over 60 the challenge of living and traveling in a remote wilderness environment. Each course consists of four days of canoeing and a day of rappelling in northern Maine. The program attempts to provide older adults with a personal growth experience via…

This study centers on the difficulties experienced by many students in making the transition from secondary school to university. The experimental program involved assigning incoming freshmen to small groups led by upperclass honors students. The groups met at least once weekly, with the senior student acting as resource person to encourage the…

A Wilderness Experience Program designed as an alternative to the three or four weeks Outward Bound Program is outlined with suggested classroom, campus, and weekend field trip activities. The program is designed to produce a change in self-concept through experiences involving stress, group living, success, new environment, and individual…

A workshop facilitator describes his personal journey, as well as the general process, of overcoming white male social conditioning, loneliness, and disconnection through group experiences with other white men. This process can be a foundation for understanding and addressing issues of oppression, racism, and inclusivity. (SAS)

Uses three examples to illustrate how adventure education encourages the development of community: it is voluntary; it taps a human need to demonstrate competence and skill; and it provides opportunities for people to rally around a common need or goal, often in the service of others. Discusses similarities and differences of community- and…

A 4-day adventure ropes course with 20 Colombian adolescents who belonged to gangs that worked for drug traffickers produced noticeable changes in their attitudes and behavior. As a result, two of them left their barrio in search of a better life, and two began work as gardeners in a public park. (TD)

Walk and Talk Experiences combine challenging outdoor experiences, group living, and opportunities for reflection and discussion to promote self-exploration and personal development. The British program has served various client groups, such as adolescents and people with disabilities or special needs. Activities on several weekends are described.…

This article describes the use of a Group Log to evaluate the personal growth experienced and group skills learned in group counseling in which the counselor-in-training writes a Group Log for each group experience. The evaluation criteria of the log are presented in terms of therapeutic forces and group dynamics observed, self-awareness…

Spelman College's Living Learning Program is described. The program was developed to integrate classroom cognitive development with affective development acquired through formal and informal learning experiences offered by the student life division. Program activities are designed to expose students to a broad range of ideas through interaction…

This article describes the conversational interactions of one online learning group whose task was to identify themes of human development from life histories of the group members. The data were analyzed by a research team using the hermeneutic circle, which involves continually looking at parts of the text in light of the meaning of the larger…