The Lyme Bay kayaking incident of 1993, in which four children died, led to an Act of Parliament and the introduction by the British Government of the Adventure Activities Licensing Authority (AALA), a body established to regulate adventurous recreational and educational outdoor activities. The perception at the time, a view to which some …

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)

Examines the impact of camping on pediatric cancer patients in the United States and Britain. Finds some evidence of increases in physical and social activities and knowledge about cancer and its treatment, and decreases in self-engaged activities. Notes that some studies point to potential deleterious effects from an extensive focus on disease.…

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…

Analyzes the actions taken by an instructor when a student fell while climbing a gill (a gorge cut into the mountainside by a fast-flowing stream). Stresses the importance of instructors making quick decisions and remaining calm during a potentially dangerous situation. Suggests using a hand line in the future to alert students of risk involved.…

The Personal Orientation Inventory (POI), a measure of self-actualizing tendencies, was administered to 10 instructors at Plas y Brenin, to 23 tutors at Outward Bound Wales, and to 35 students before and after a course at Outward Bound Aberdovey. Instructors scored higher on the POI than students. Student scores significantly increased after the…

In 1994, an outdoor adventure company was the first British company to be found guilty of corporate manslaughter. General principles of criminal law, including the difference between recklessness and gross negligence, are reviewed to provide those in the outdoor industry a rough guide as to their possible criminal liability. Discusses U.K.…

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…

A study of a coeducational outdoor/adventure program for 13- to 15-year olds at Shotmoor, England, where all participated in the same activities. The boys' beliefs about the abilities of girls were altered in a way that would not have occurred in a classroom. (DM)

Advocates focusing on personal and social education in outdoor education, before addressing subjects in the National Curriculum in Britain. Discusses the development of professionalism in outdoor educators. Provides an assessment of progress scale for the goals related to professionalism. Proposes that outdoor education may be more secure as part…

A group of British graduate students in drama and movement therapy spent a weekend outdoors engaging in adventure, dramatic, and creative activities that focused on the symbolism of the Earth and increasing awareness of the self, the environment, and spirituality. (SV)

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 book aims to provide a succinct and clear overview of the principles and practices associated with adventure education in order to help practitioners do their work more effectively. Implicit in the book is a belief that adventure education has a positive impact on an individual's self-confidence, understanding of the world, and actual…

Adventure is the most dynamic form of education currently available and as such should move from its peripheral position in British education to become a part of the core curriculum. This move will require that school administrators better understand the philosophy and content of Adventure Education and that staff receive more rigorous training…