Outdoor Education (or see Outdoor Training)

Book Description: "I like to play indoors better ’cause that’s where all the electrical outlets are", reports a fourth grader. But it’s not only computers, television, and video games that are keeping kids inside. It’s also their parents’ fears of traffic, strangers, Lyme disease, and West Nile virus; their schools’ emphasis on more and more homework; their structured schedules; and their lack of access to natural areas. Local governments, neighborhood associations, and even organizations devoted to the outdoors are placing legal and regulatory constraints on many wild spaces, sometimes making natural play a crime. As children’s connections to nature diminish and the social, psychological, and spiritual implications become apparent, new research shows that nature can offer powerful therapy for such maladies as depression, obesity, and attentiondeficit disorder. Environment-based education dramatically improves standardized test scores and grade-point averages and develops skills in problem solving, critical thinking, and decision making. Anecdotal evidence strongly suggests that childhood experiences in nature stimulate creativity. In Last Child in the Woods, Louv talks with parents, children, teachers, scientists, religious leaders, child-development researchers, and environmentalists who recognize the threat and offer solutions. Louv shows us an alternative future, one in which parents help their kids experience the natural world more deeply - and find the joy of family connectedness in the process. (Amazon.com)

Outdoor and experiential learning has advanced in leaps and bounds over the last 20 years. Educators and developers in the Czech and Slovak Republics have been unexpected leaders in the field; the result of isolation of the country under communism and a unique mix of culture and geography. This book offers a guide to the theory and techniques, pioneered by the Czechs and Slovaks, including the the concept of dramaturgy, a process involving elements of learning psychology, role play and theatre that concentrates on physical, social, creative and reflective/emotional learning states. It also includes a full set of guidelines for designing outdoor and experiential events, along with complete instructions for 30 games. The authors provide design opportunities to be more creative in the development of young people, as well as older learners and those involved in corporate management education. (extract from the publisher's description) Contents: Part I Theory: Methods and Application: The evolution of an holistic process; Theoretical underpinnings of dramaturgy; The five stages of dramaturgy. Part II Practice: Course and Games: A team approach to programming; Running 'enhanced courses'; Using games in the programme; Game logistics; Games introduction; Social games; Physical games; Creative games; Psychological (reflective/emotional) games; Bibliography; Appendix; Index. See Roger Greenaway's detailed review of this book

Authors: Roger Putnam, Peter Barnes, Bertie Everard, Angus McWilliam, Geoff Nichols, Phil Woodyer, Adrian Ibbetson, Janet Shepherd, Judy Ling Wong, Nina Saunders, Alan Smith, Roger Greenaway, Bob Sharp, Nick Halls, Patrick Keighley, Marcus Bailie, Geoff Cooper, Archie Waters, Randall Williams, Kate O'Brien. Large format paperback. 208 pages. 1-903855-36-5 Book Description and Contents

Description: The Journal Of Adventure Education And Outdoor Learning (JAEOL) is a peer reviewed journal based in the UK with an international review board. The journal was first published in 2000 and currently publishes two issues, one in the spring and one in the autumn. JAEOL is of interest to all people involved in adventure education and outdoor learning. The purpose of this international journal is to promote dialogue, research, thinking, understanding, teaching and practice in the field of adventure education and outdoor learning. JAEOL publishes original papers that encourage a wider appreciation of the interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary components of adventure education and outdoor learning. Abstracts of the past issues and editorials are available at the home page for JAEOL at the Institute for Outdoor Learning. Subscribe at the Institute for Outdoor Learning or go straight to the journal's home page at T&F for more subscription options, archives and the latest news on special issues.

The Adventure Alternative
Colin Mortlock

The shift from outdoor pursuits to adventure education was inspired by Colin Mortlock and his little red book entitled 'Adventure Education and Outdoor Pursuits' (1973). The Adventure Alternative (1984) marks the next big shift in the UK - the integration of environmental awareness into adventure education. This passionate book illustrates how much young people can achieve when given the opportunity. The educational principles in praise of adventure shine out from the meandering undercurrent of political and social commentary. (Roger Greenaway)

Beyond Adventure
Colin Mortlock

Review: Colin Mortlock reflects on a life of adventure: climbing, kayaking, offshore catamaran sailing, solo kayaking, solo wilderness walks and (more recently) identifying wild flowers. Adventures and reflections are mixed in a proportion in a way that echoes the author's view that "Quality action and quality reflection on that action are of fundamental equal importance" It is the story of an adventurer and educator who is fascinated by the occasions on which he has felt "at one" with nature. These were moments of awe, wonder or synchronicity when canoeing, sailing, climbing or walking. I prefer Beyond Adventure (2001) to the The Adventure Alternative (1984) because it is more autobiographical, more adventurous and more authentic. Colin Mortlock's style is sometimes awkward especially when he is struggling to interpret his "flow" experiences, but he does so in a plain language that makes his story accessible to all. (reviewed by Roger Greenaway) Synopsis: This work looks beyond the excitement of adventure and exploration to investigate the relationship between man and nature. An account of an intensely personal journey, the book should appeal to all who love the outdoors. (amazon.co.uk)