Colleges and universities have recently focused more attention on incorporating high-impact practices into their curricula, often under the auspices of the potential benefits such practices have for developmental growth and student success (Lange & Stewart, 2019). Outdoor adventure education represents an experiential practice where students…

Outdoor education (OE) is a broad term referring to organized outdoor learning . Given Canada's large size, sparse population, varied landscapes and diverse culture , developing a comprehensive understanding of the philosophies, goals and activities of OE in Canada is challenging. While Canada has a long history of OE, scholars struggle to…

Background: This paper is part two of a discussion about a new pedagogical model for adventure in the curriculum. It builds upon part one, the advocacy paper, which considered important theoretical foundations, historical influences and research outcomes of outdoor adventure education (OAE) in the UK. Purpose: This paper outlines how a model for…

This article describes two studies examining the effects of an experiential and adventure-based program (Outward Bound) on returning military veterans. The assumption underlying these studies is the belief that adventure-based programs can serve as a beneficial mediator in the reintegration of returning military veterans into society. The two…

This study explores differences between Outward Bound (OB) and National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS) participant perspectives on programmatic factors and their relation to outcomes. Although OB and NOLS are assumed to be similar in many ways, as each program offers wilderness expeditions for students in backcountry environments, the mission…

Experiential programs have become a core part of extra-/co-curricular activities in secondary schools in Hong Kong. Programs usually aim at enhancing youngsters' personal development, which incorporates self-understanding, self-other relationship, and self-social involvement (cf. Hahn, 1908-1913). Students are expected to acquire a stronger belief…

Self-awareness, cultural competency, environmental consciousness, and economic empathy are often achieved through study abroad travel experiences. This phenomenological study was intended to shed light on the international backpacking study abroad experiences for college students, describing the phenomenon from the perspective of the participants…

Allowing students a sense of autonomy has long been considered an important pedagogical tool. This paper synthesizes the current literature on student autonomy from the education, youth development, and outdoor adventure fields and explores its value through an analysis of data from the National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS). The results…

Facilitators of experiential learning join together with clients to create and edit clients'"stories" of their experiences in ways that are relevant to clients' issues. Facilitators must accurately assess client needs to enhance the quality of the learning experience, indicate directions and sources for functional change, and create…

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…

Through activity in the outdoors, we make ourselves more available to the value lessons of nature. Outdoor pursuits and adventure activities are the best providers of value experiences. These value experiences foster individual growth and respect for the environment. (KS)

Across cultures, a common motif is the rite of passage that facilitates transition to adulthood. The structure of an Outward Bound course parallels a classic adolescent initiation rite, involving separation from home and family, influence of a guide or instructor, group adventure in which participants increasingly take responsibility, a solo…

Five stages of development in the facilitation of adventure experiences in order of sophistication are letting the experience speak for itself; speaking for the experience by the instructor; debriefing the experience through reflection; frontloading the experience with prebriefing; and framing the experience isomorphically. (KS)

Action learning is being used in corporate training; teams or work groups take an actual problem to the training program, work on solving it, commit to an action plan, and are accountable for carrying out the plan. Some companies include personal-growth training, such as outdoor adventure learning, as a component of team building. (JOW)

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…