General Discussions - Recent Threads

Trying to figure out the next step to take and would love advice!

Swimchamp714 — Sat, 27 Apr 2013 09:46:39 GMT

My name is Corey and I am a 23 year old student studying Outdoor Adventure Leadership at Southern Oregon University. In a couple of terms I will be graduating and I honestly have no idea what I want to do with my degree. I know I enjoy being outside, adventures, and working with people, BUT besides that I don't know exactly what I want to do. I haven't found my overall passion of the outdoors.

I'm trying to figure out a direction to go in after I graduate in a couple of terms and I don't really know where to begin. I will admit I'm relatively new to all of the outdoor sports but I know, beyond a doubt, that this is the field for me. However, I do know I cannot graduate without some sort of plan of attack and I'm having difficulty trying to make a plan when I don't have something to set my sights on.

I figure I should ask the people who are in the field for advice and hope this will help me figure out where to go with everything.. and who knows maybe it will open some doors for the future!

Thank you for your time and advice!

-Corey

starting a semester school

coolnaturegirl — Tue, 23 Apr 2013 19:20:30 GMT

Hi. I work at a residential environmental education center in New York and there was talk once upon a time, years ago, of starting a semester school at our facility. I am trying to revive the idea, but don't have much to work with besides my desire to get the process started again. I was wondering if anyone in the community has experience in either starting or working in such a program and could give me an idea of where to start.

Our center has the space for students and plenty of things to teach and do with them, but I don't really know where to go from there. Do we need certified teachers and accreditation? Do we need to get permission from the state to start a school? I have many more questions and would greatly appreciate any help/ideas any of you may have.

Thanks so much! Sena R.

Florida Everglades Weather educational materials

Andrew — Fri, 14 Dec 2012 22:25:51 GMT

I am putting together a course journal for a sea-kayaking trip to the Florida Everglades. Does anyone know of a good source online or in print for area specific weather signs and forecasting?

Thanks,

Andy

Pre and Post Survey or Assessment of Outcomes

BradBarron — Thu, 21 Jun 2012 03:17:55 GMT

Hello community,

I am in need of a post experience assessment or survey that I can hand out to my participants. My primary need at the moment is for something focused on a multiple week ABC setting, but I would take anything you might be able to come up with as an example to start with. I plan to use some public domain things like the Iowa Adaptive Bx Scale, but I also want to develop some anecdotal type questions that give me some insight into how the sequencing or specific activities worked.

Thanks for any help in advance! Hope everyone is having a great summer with programs in full swing!

Brad Barron

Challenge Course/Adventure-Based Counseling program NAICS code?

BradBarron — Thu, 19 Apr 2012 04:16:22 GMT

Evening OutdoorEd denizens,

I am getting ready to file some LLC papers to start a ABC/group development/experiential ed. business. Our local Small Business and Technology Development center provides a ton of free market research, but I need a good NAICS number in order to effectively look any of it up to see who local competitors or clients may be as well as to look at industry trends, etc., etc.

This is the number your accountant puts somewhere on your tax forms to identify what industry you are in. Anyone have some feedback on what they chose and why? Right now in some preliminary stuff my consultant sent, I am seeing everything from golf courses to cheer-leading gyms. Not really helpful...

Thanks!

Developing an outdoor ed adventure facility

DeborahB — Sat, 09 Oct 2010 01:48:09 GMT

I am in the process of developing a business plan to create a local close-in outdoor ed experiential and adventure facilty on 100+ acres that currently includes natual wetlands, shoreline access and islands adjacent to white water rapids, basalt cliffs, agriculturally fertile lands, with mining of the aggregate resources on site already permitted to supply materials necessary for summer moutain biking and hill climbing paths that I imagine can also be consciously constructed with a dual purpose in mind i.e. sledding and tobagann courses in the winter, as well as parking, ect.

I would appreciate any input or resources supporting my business plan, specifically which ecological experiences or adventures are most likely to attract bona fied interest from researchers, mainstream educators and experiential ed professionals in an locale that has a very high drop out and is seriously struggling with related chemical dependency, alcohol abuse and gang associated youth challenges.

Deborah

Nature Language

HINTSlab — Fri, 25 Jun 2010 22:24:02 GMT

Peter Kahn and the HINTS lab (www.hintslab.org) at the University of Washington are working on a research project called a Nature Language(www.naturelanguage.com).

The purpose of the project is to collect personal nature stories that will help us develop a better understanding about the many ways people relate to and interact with the natural world.

We have developed a website (www.naturelanguage.com) where people can visit and share a story about their interactions with nature.

We would like to invite people to visit the website, read about people's nature interactions, and share a story.

Again, the website is www.naturelanguage.com

Thanks very much. We look forward to your submission and comments.

Best Regards,
Aimee Reichert (with Peter Kahn)

Corporate Adventure Programs

Bobcat22 — Sat, 20 Feb 2010 06:12:01 GMT

I'm interested in hearing information about the market these days for corporate adventure training programs, also known as EBTD (Experience-Based Training and Development). My college is considering building a ropes course to support the adventure education academic program, and we're wondering how realistic it is to assume that a ropes course could also be a revenue generator for the college.

So, does anyone have information about the following?

With the current economy, has there been a decrease (or increase) in corporate training and travel budgets and, therefore, a decrease (or increase) in corporate groups using ropes courses for their training needs?
To what extent are corporate groups using ropes courses for their training needs, compared to other experiential activities that could be conducted in a meeting room?
To what extent are corporate groups likely to travel over 200 miles for their training needs?

Thanks.

Business development insight.

Bill Hall — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 17:08:34 GMT

Folks,

I'm new to the adventure world and am in the midst of developing my business plan. My intent is to offer experiential training to corporate USA and offer experiential education to youth. I've a fair start on assemblying demographics for both, but am in a rut as far as organizing it all. I'm in contact with my local SCORE and ASTD office, but as this is a new concept for them both, they're not able to offer me expertise guidance.

So, I'm looking inside the realm of all things experiential in hopes to get some focused insight. I know that there are many closely guarded industry secrets regarding marketing and such, but if there is a possibility for an organization to extend a hand to assist me / mentorship I'd sure appreciate it.

Readings from the Hurricane Island Outward Bound School

aklish89 — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 22:16:23 GMT

Does anyone have a copy of "Readings from the Hurricane Island Outward Bound School" kicking around on a shelf or burried in a box not getting used? I used mine for years and then made the mistake of loaning it to a student (I didn't realize that it was no longer available). Well, it wasn't returned and has been greatly missed ever since. I promise to use it lots and to use it wisely!! Contact me at alish@cocc.edu . THANKS!

iPhone Apps for outdoor educators

Outdoor Ed — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 04:20:47 GMT

I just posted a blog entry on a medical iPhone app called TickDoctor. What are your favorite iPhone apps for outdoor educators (free or paid)?

Rick Curtis

Teaching priorities and time management

Sarah McGinnis — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 15:24:42 GMT

I'm looking for ideas to teach time management and setting priorities to high school students through experiential education. Does anyone know of any good activities/iniatives that are along those lines?

Outdoor education for K12 students

edreports — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 14:16:59 GMT

Anyone know where I can fnd some help in organizing outdoor ed sessions for K12 students? Am looking for people that provide those services or organizations that do outdoor ed in specific parts of the country or globe.

Thanks,
Steu Mann, M. Ed.
http://twitter.com/cathriving

http://www.educationreporting.com/

Have you ever wondered what its like to provide medical care at 17,500 feet above sea level?

Jim Barr — Sun, 10 May 2009 04:56:44 GMT

Dr. Luanne Freer is founder and director of the world's highest medical clinic - that found at Everest Base Camp.

It has been their busiest season ever since it’s opening in 2003, having served over 220 patients in just 30 days. It’s also been the busiest for the mountain, with over 1200 people at Everest Base Camp.

Earlier this month, Freer talked about what it’s like to provide medical care at Base Camp and I invite you to read that interview off of Outside Magazine's on-line presence...

http://outside.away.com/outside/culture/200905/luanne-freer-everest-er.html

This fall, Track & Trail Adventures- a conference planning company- is honoured to be working with four time Everest Summiter Wally Berg and Drs. Luanne Freer & Eric Johnson, to produce an accredited continuing medical education conference en route to Everest Base Camp.

For more information we invite you to our website at http://www.tandtadventures.com/adventure.php?adv=4&act=10

Through this conference Track & Trail is pleased to support the Wilderness Medical Society and the Himalayan Rescue Association, the non-profit who funds the operations of the Everest Base Camp Clinic, www.everester.org

(Please visit the site to view this video)

Back country Nutrition:

Kevin Shon — Thu, 07 May 2009 20:04:22 GMT

Hello community,

I am curious, are there any studies on the topic of long-term affects of a typical outdoor program diet on staff?

For example, if your expeditonary program offers dehydrated refried beans, rice, lentils, falafel, TVP, hummus, etc. Do these common dried goods eventually have positive or negative affects on the instructor over months/years of consumption?

Any thoughts/ coments, questions, concerns? Thoughts from the Peanut Gallery ? (Except for "nut-free" folks. They could be the "goldfish gallery!" ).

-Kevin Shon

Text for college course on environmental education?

rlfrazer — Mon, 30 Mar 2009 20:20:04 GMT

I'm teaching a survey course on environmental and ecological education for students in a B.A. program in adventure education, as well as a handful of students from other majors such as teacher ed and environmental studies.

Can anyone recommend good texts?

Start your own Outdoor Education Business

Adventure Alternatives — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 01:52:37 GMT

I’ve developed an amazing new program called, "OutdoorEd in a Box." It covers nearly everything you need to know about Starting and Running your own Outdoor Education Business in the least amount of time without all the costly mistakes if you attempted it from scratch.

I’m only selling 2500 copies worldwide and they will sell quick, so first in first served. I’m selling these to help develop our Outdoor Education Centre based in Woodford, Queensland, Australia. We are privately owned and do not receive any external funding and are trying to raise funds needed to develop the site. So the only way I found to raise this money was to sell the knowledge I have and the experience I have received to help and assist other in developing their own business.

Interested? Then follow this link and find out more. http//www.outdooredinabox.com

Warning: This program is not for everyone, but is for those people who want to break free of working for someone else or who have always had the dream of developing something which can help and develop people while being personally worthwhile and rewarding.

Todd Samorowski

Technology in the bush

Brendon Munge — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 08:55:51 GMT

Hi,
I am interested in finding out what are schools/ organisations expected
list of required technology that a leader is required to be capable of using
and carrying with them while working on outdoor programs.
A short list includes sat phones and mobiles, but I am interested in how
many organisations expect leaders to be GPS savvy, utilising wireless
internet, pod casts, spot trackers, digital video recorders and Google
mapping.
There seems to be a growing trend towards greater use of technology and the
expected acceptance that leaders are carrying with them a suite of different
technologies that they are required to utilise when making decisions in the
bush.
Your thoughts and lists of technologies that you use in your own programs
would be greatly appreciated.
You can reply on the listserv or directly
Cheers
Brendon
--

Brendon Munge
Associate Lecturer
Centre for Excellence in Outdoor & Environmental Education
La Trobe University, Bendigo
PO Box 199
Bendigo 3552

Ph: 03 5444 7845
Fax: 03 5444 7848

Not all who wander are lost.

Current Economic Conditions and the Outdoor Job Market

Levi Wilner — Thu, 12 Mar 2009 00:30:16 GMT

I am curious to hear opinions and testimonials on how, what has happened in the US economy, has and/or will continue to effect the outdoor education job market?

Histories of AEE, AORE, and WEA

Levi Wilner — Thu, 12 Mar 2009 00:18:47 GMT

Because I have not seen this elsewhere in the forum, and I believe it to be an important topic, I would like to invite any and all to comment on the histories of the Association for Experiential Education, the Association of Outdoor Recreation Education, and the Wilderness Education Association.

Why so many associations with arguably very similar missions?

Thanks in advance for your input!

VHF Radios vs. Satellite phones for wilderness programs - anyone want to bite?

kris salisbury — Tue, 10 Mar 2009 05:58:24 GMT

Looking for feedback from programmers regarding current thoughts on VHF radios and satellite phones. We have used Sat phone, cell phones and are looking at radios....chime in

How Do You Create Community In The Classroom?

Kevin Shon — Mon, 02 Mar 2009 02:29:45 GMT

I am curious,

How do YOU create/ how are your programs creating a sense of community when in the field, in the classroom? I am thinking less in the specific initiaves/games sense, and more in a "course/classroom culture" sense. I am thinking in the long term of things... What are some of the approaches to truly creating a sense of community in our programs?

I would be excited to hear from folks as to approaches that they have found successful...

Especially after reading some Paulo Freire and Gloria Watkins (bell hooks), I have been really focusing my efforts towards creating a "community of learners," Including the teacher as one of those learners who serves as managing/facilitating the environement in whch said learning takes place...?

Hope all is well,

Kevin Shon

Courses for Kosher Students

bfabel_nols — Thu, 19 Feb 2009 22:42:31 GMT

Do many people have experience running courses for students/particiapants of Kosher needs? NOLS did one back in 2004, but I wanted to see how many other people have experience with those particular special needs.

We are planning to run an open-enrollment course this summer for Jewish males ages 14-18 here in Wyoming.http://www.nols.edu/nolspro/kosher.shtml

Thanks!

Brian

Inside Knowlegde

Francis Morgan-Gallo — Thu, 19 Feb 2009 20:35:36 GMT

This is a heads up that I resigned my appointment at Washington State University effective May 22. We are currently working on a exemption to the state hiring freeze to search for my successor.

I am leaving for love and a more suitable ecosystem to my desires. I continue to love my job, department, and staff. Currently we are doing about 8500 participant hours and year with an average contact time of 4.5 hours, mostly college students. The best start date we would like is May 1-11.

Masters degree is preferred with current CCM certification preferred also and qualifications to be level 2 trainer/tester (500 hours of train the trainer).

Please start preparing resumes and other materials.

Since all programs vary in their philosophy and delivery, The plan is for the new manager to co-train with me May 11-22.

The formal notice of vacancy will be out in the next month or so.

Francis M. Morgan-Gallo
Coordinator, Challenge Program
Washington State University
University Recreation
Inspiring active, healthy living
142 Student Recreation Center
PO Box 641830
Pullman, WA 99164-1830
509-335-8393 ] 509-335-4444 fax ] 509-338-5563 cell
francism-g@wsu.edu ] challenge.wsu.edu

P Please consider the environment before printing this e-mail