A graduate student in environmental education reflects on her experiences traveling throughout the United States on a converted school bus with 20 other people in an effort to gain insight into social issues and problems. This experience helped her realize how listening to others, respecting their opinions, and discovering common goals promotes…

Sharing personal life stories can be a powerful tool to confront stereotypes and educate about social justice issues. Effective use includes having a clear educational goal, choosing a story that conveys an experience that is understandable and relates to the educational goal, and providing a safe environment for voluntary sharing of personal…

Describes how adventure therapy can be adapted to help individuals suffering from bulimia develop effective coping mechanisms, increase self-esteem, and gain appreciation for their bodies. Goal is for participants to recognize compulsive behavior in relation to their attitudes and to understand underlying processes that lead to those behaviors and…

Examination of 31 therapeutic wilderness programs specializing in mental health treatment revealed that most programs served high-risk youth using a variety of outdoor modalities; that there was not a consensus on the definition of therapeutic; and that, in most cases, nonprofessional staff were responsible for therapeutic interventions. (LP)

In 1993, an educational exchange program sponsored by the Association for Experiential Education (AEE) sent six educators from North America to Russia to conduct workshops for students and teachers on concepts of experiential learning. As a result of this cooperative exchange, Altai Regional Educational Center (Siberia) was created to coordinate…

An experiential education project at Edinboro University (Pennsylvania) trains undergraduate students to be literacy tutors and requires students to complete 60 volunteer hours tutoring at a community service agency in exchange for academic credit. Examines mutual benefits of volunteer service including breakdown of social stereotypes and…

Two reviewers present divergent points of view concerning a book that provides a comprehensive overview of the field of wilderness therapy. The first reviewer sees the book as valuable in bridging the gap between the mental health profession and outdoor experiential education, whereas the second reviewer suggests that the book gives ambiguous…

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…

Advocates empowering students to help them take control of their lives. Provides specific ideas on how educators can facilitate this process. Uses concepts from humanistic education, group dynamics, Quaker thought and action, and experiential programing. (KS)

Traces the development of peace-oriented experiential philosophy in both its Western and Soviet contexts, suggesting that adventure-based citizen diplomacy is a valuable means to build bridges between them. Adventure Based Citizen Diplomacy projects are working to decrease the cultural, sociopolitical, and psychological barriers that remain in the…

Outlines the adventure-based counseling process used with adolescent sex offenders at Treetop Adventure. Discusses the nature of "success" in this program, processing of participants' reactions to stressful situations, and building trust in preparation for intensive campfire sessions that draw out disclosures of sexual offenses. (SV)

Ecofeminism draws parallels between treatment of women and treatment of the planet and has relevance for experiential and outdoor educators. This brief introduction outlines areas of ecofeminism: philosophy and science, politics, spirituality, and living in healthy interactions with one another and the environment. Contains 50 references and…

Reviews Kohlberg's and Gilligan's models of interpersonal moral development and identifies theoretical concepts relevant to understanding the development of environmental values. Outlines Gilligan's narrative approach, in which participants recount moral conflict and decision making. Examines this approach's advantages as an environmental…

Efforts to infuse environmental messages into the school curriculum through isolated superficial activities have failed. Earth education takes a different approach through carefully crafted sequential programs for the ages 4-18--fun-filled experiential adventures that develop feelings, understandings, and harmonious lifestyles for the earth. (SV)

Discusses the responsibility of wilderness educators to educate themselves, students, and land managers on how to use the wilderness while nurturing its wildness. Outlines basic principles and techniques of teaching in the wilderness while minimizing impact. Offers practical suggestions on how wilderness educators can cooperate with land managers.…