Lists 17 professional organizations in the outdoor industry and briefly describes 6 of them: American Camping Association, American Canoe Association, American Mountain Guides Association, Association of College Unions International, Association for Experiential Education, and Christian Camping International. Includes membership, publications,…

Outdoor education and adventure programs can protect themselves from lawsuits by educating participants about risks of activities before they begin and by using properly written release forms. When an accident does occur, a lawsuit may not result if the injured party is talked to and treated like a friend. (SV)

The staff of an outdoor recreational or adventure program inadvertently, through its actions, may plant the idea of a lawsuit in an injured participant's mind. Lawsuits may be avoided by continuing the relationship of trust developed in the program and by helping the injured party get back to normal life or even rejoin the program. (SV)