Reports on the Network for Experiential Projects and Adventure Learning, a two-year training program in Germany developed to prepare teachers to integrate elements of adventure education into their curricula. Program sequence consists of 12 workshops, divided into 5 levels, including a participant initiated adventure project. Includes participant…

Stresses the importance of experiential educators being prepared to teach environmental education to students in specific contexts. A model for urban African American students includes the introduction and selection of a relevant local environmental issue; teaching strategies to investigate the issue; and techniques for initiating environmental…

A survey of trainers of challenge course facilitators resulted in a list of general competencies to be included in facilitator training. Includes technical skills involving challenge or ropes courses, group initiatives and low ropes, safety and environmental issues, and program administration. Facilitation skills involve recreational, educational,…

The goal of the Teacher Education Program Consortium is to develop a network of preservice and inservice teacher education programs that share an experiential/constructivist learning philosophy. A survey of 84 selected teacher education programs examined program scope, structure, and financial resources; educational philosophy; and program…

Describes a teacher development model that enables teachers to learn, internalize, test, and practice experiential teaching methods, and to create support systems that can sustain educational innovation in schools. Phases of a teacher training workshop include immersion, skill building, skill demonstration, and skill application. Includes 10…

A partnership among teacher educators, schools, and field study centers in New South Wales (Australia) was developed to improve the ability of preservice teachers to conduct outdoor environmental education programs. Discusses various uses of the field study center, and benefits of the cooperative program to schools, teachers, and students. (LP)

Overviews articles in this issue that focus on the current status of adventure therapy and describe efforts aimed at defining a framework for conceptualizing adventure therapy. Notes changes in the field, including introduction of state laws requiring licensure of programs, the drive for program accreditation, and growing training opportunities in…

A solution-focused therapeutic approach to processing adventure experiences shifts the focus of debriefing sessions from problem to solution, helps clients recognize exceptions to their problem behavior, and sensitizes clients to seeking positive behaviors versus avoiding negative ones. Techniques include clients' rating of their own abilities on…

Hypnotic language can increase the transference of learning from an adventure activity to a therapeutic goal by absorbing the client in the experience, ratifying that absorption, and eliciting the client's resources to address problematic situations. Provides examples of using this approach in adventure therapy to enhance a client's experience and…

Ninety-eight adventure therapy professionals analyzed a proposed definition of emotional safety and rated 26 factors hypothesized to affect an individual's level of emotional safety during adventure activities. Factors were related to specific techniques used by instructors, instructor skills and abilities, the physical environment, and group…

Group leaders who offer affirmations to participants in outdoor education encourage healthy relationships and group cohesion and increase individuals' self-esteem. Personal affirming includes actions and statements that make participants feel comfortable in their environment, support capable work, and encourage behavior change in a supportive and…

Discusses how experiential education can address the developmental needs of gay and lesbian youth; describes a successful Outward Bound program developed for gay and lesbian youth; and explores reasons why educators and program administrators must be proactive in developing programs for this specialized population. (LP)

Stresses the need for documenting the application and outcomes of specific adventure activities with specific client groups and documenting critical therapeutic/clinical incidents in adventure therapy programs. Overviews current trends in documentation of therapeutic adventure programs and provides recommendations from the medical and mental…

Outdoor experiential program providers must be aware of certain issues in order to reduce or eliminate liability claims against their organization and employees. These include liability insurance, liability education, risk control, and record keeping. Recommends that all outdoor program providers provide risk management training to employees and…

A study comparing the influence of the belayor on the development of trust between rock-climbing partners in a corporate adventure training program found that permitting clients to belay each other greatly enhanced the development of trust, as opposed to employing specialized technicians or facilitators for belaying. (LP)