Field philosophy is interdisciplinary experiential environmental humanities learning. It grows from a community-focused conception of environmental ethics and place-based environmental education, and it aims to help students develop an awareness of the role of environmental ethics in environmental issues, as well as cultivate an empathetic…

To date, little empirical research has been conducted to support the claim that outdoor adventure education (OAE) develops desirable psychological characteristics in participants. This study examined the effects of an OAE foundation degree curriculum on positive psychological development. Fifty-two students (26 OAE students, 26 controls on an…

The need to provide alternative and exciting community service-learning experiences with university students has been a challenge to institutions of higher education. One institution was able to capitalize on an idea of integrating challenge and adventure-based activities as a form of community service. This article focuses on undergraduate…

Although pervasive throughout counseling psychology and other training programs that incorporate experiential activities, reflective journals have sparse, fragmented and disparate theoretical bases to support their use. Coming from the fields of counseling and professional education, the authors use counselor education as a template to explore the…

A study examined the effectiveness of the experiential component of a first-year college environmental course concerning water pollution in Toms River, New Jersey. A survey of 542 students who took the course with or without the river project found that the experiential component improved student interest, stimulated critical thinking, and…

A pedagogy of experience can be cultivated by using a critically responsive approach based on experience, critical thinking, reflection, and action. A service-learning field trip to Cuba illustrates how experiential learning can bring classroom and community together in a way that invites students to engage in meaningful, active forms of learning…

A study examining the long-term influences of a university wilderness orientation program interviewed 16 participants 17 years later. Three consistent themes emerged: assumptions of themselves and others were challenged; peer friendships developed had strong, positive, and lasting effects; and the orientation program positively affected their…

A study examined the effect of a 1-day outdoor experiential training orientation on graduate students' perceptions of stress. Fifty-seven first-year veterinary medicine students were surveyed before the fall semester and during final exam period. Several mood states, including anxiety-tension, vigor-activity, and depression-dejection were…

Pre- and post-tests investigated the impact of a 15-week outdoor experiential program on the moral reasoning of 196 university students. Participants' moral reasoning was enhanced, possibly through front-loading of moral reasoning concepts, reflection, critical thinking, problem solving, and adherence to the full-value contract, even though…

A study examined an adventure education program's impact on college students' learning and overall university experience. Focus groups conducted with 14 college freshmen in a learning community program indicated that the adventure education program enhanced connections between students, faculty, and the university; promoted experiential learning…

A case study of an outdoor leader training expedition illustrates how the experiential leadership education model works. A leadership style inventory shows which leadership styles are strong and which need practicing. Data from participants compare leader perceptions of group dynamics with those of the group. A journal of leadership decisions…

All providers of outdoor leadership training must cooperate in introducing race, gender, and class issues in their programs. Recommendations include using experiential methodologies, offering social justice training in all training venues, developing outdoor leadership texts that cover social justice topics, and making social justice training a…

A recreation professor and a writing teacher created a college program combining outdoor experiences with personal narrative writing. Students learn technical outdoor skills and a process of self-discovery, experience the complete writing process, and build cohesive discourse communities. Developing such a program involves making goals, designing…

A study examining student perceptions of cooperative learning surveyed 210 college students. Results were contradictory, with positive evaluations of some specific techniques and less than positive evaluations of cooperative learning in general. Less than half perceived it to affect motivation positively. Colleges should promote a shift in student…

A college and high school collaborated on an early field experience for preservice physical education teachers combined with a service-learning component. Evaluation indicated that high school student motivation and participation increased, high school teachers learned new teaching strategies, and preservice teachers experienced decreased…