Wilderness Education Association RSS Feed

Intermediate Ice Climbing on 18-Feb-12 7:30 AM

Sat, 18 Feb 2012 12:30:00 GMT

Intermediate Ice Climbing
Start Date: 18-Feb-12 7:30 AM
End Time: 18-Feb-12 4:30 PM
Speaker: CMS Instructor

Event Details:

Intermediate Ice Climbing

If you enjoy ice climbing but know your technique could be better, this one-day course is just the thing. Our guides will get you on the steeps, pinpoint your strengths and weaknesses, and offer specific, personalized techniques to help you avoid the dreaded vertical icepump.

Benefits

· Learn to use your skeleton more and your muscles less

· Develop the ability to find rests and relax on the steepest ice

· Learn techniques to avoid over-gripping – the source of the pump

· Practice the art of swinging less and climbing more

· Learn how rock climbing skills translate to more fluid and efficient movement on ice

· Climb a lot and get expert feedback

Prerequisites

· Already know how to belay, put on a harness and crampons properly

· Have ice climbed before in the past

· Ability to spend a full day out in the mountains

· Generally fit

Course Time: 8:00am – 4:00pm

Meeting Location: CMS, located at 341 Moraine Avenue, Estes Park, CO 80517 (see attached map to CMS)

Equipment List: Click here for Ice Climbing Equipment List

Forms: Individuals must have a waiver filled out. See CMS Waiver attachment. Please bring this waiver with you and give it to the guide.

Course includes: All the technical gear needed for the outing (i.e. harness, helmet, boots, crampons, ice tools, etc.)

Course doesn’t include: Food*, water, transportation, individual’s soft goods (i.e. pants, jacket, gloves, etc.)

*A bag lunch will be provided for those staying at the YMCA of the Rockies and will be available for pick up in the Longs Peak Lobby at 7:30am

Transportation to and from CMS and the trailhead is not included. Please meet in the lobby of Longs Peak Lodge at 7:30am to pick up your bagged lunch and self-arrange carpool to CMS.

Snow Skills for the Mountains on 18-Feb-12 7:30 AM

Sat, 18 Feb 2012 12:30:00 GMT

Snow Skills for the Mountains
Start Date: 18-Feb-12 7:30 AM
End Time: 18-Feb-12 4:30 PM
Speaker: CMS Instructor

Event Details:

COURSE TIMES ARE LOCAL MOUNTAIN TIME, NOT EST!

This one day course will help prepare you for spending time in the mountains during the winter as well as climbing higher glaciated peaks. Our guides will get you out on various snow terrain to teach you proper technique and movement.

Benefits

· Learn how to travel as a roped team

· Learn different ways of walking in crampons and when to use each technique

· Learn proper use of your mountaineering axe

· Learn how to self-arrest a fall

Prerequisites

· Ability to spend a full day out in the mountains

· Generally fit

Course Time: 8:00am – 4:00pm**

Meeting Location: 341 Moraine Avenue, Estes Park, CO 80517 (see attached map to CMS)

Equipment List: See attached Mountaineering Equipment List

Forms: Individuals must have a waiver filled out. See CMS Waiver attachment. Please bring this waiver with you and give it to the guide.

Course includes: All the technical gear needed for the outing (i.e. harness, helmet, boots, crampons, mountaineering axe, etc.)

Course doesn’t include: Food*, water, transportation, individual’s soft goods (i.e. pants, jacket, gloves, etc.)

*A bag lunch will be provided for those individuals staying at the YMCA of the Rockies

**Transportation to CMS and to/from the trailhead is not included. Please meet in the main lobby of Longs Peak Lodge at 7:30am to get your bag lunch and carpool to CMS.

Wilderness First Aid on 18-Feb-12 8:00 AM

Sat, 18 Feb 2012 15:00:00 GMT

Wilderness First Aid
Start Date: 18-Feb-12 8:00 AM
End Time: 20-Feb-12 5:30 PM
Location: Adams State College, Alamosa, CO
Event Details:

Certification is through

the Wilderness Medicine Training Center (WMTC) go to website

WMTC Wilderness First Aid workshops are designed to introduce participants to the concepts of medical care in a wilderness setting. The course focuses on Basic Life Support skills, minor trauma and selected environmental topics, the focused spine assessment and ruling out process, and allergic & toxic reactions. As with all our courses, the majority of time is spent in hands-on skills practice and simulations; lecture is limited to basic anatomy and physiology.

Our WFA courses are accepted by the American Camping Association (ACA) for camp programs that are close to standard EMS assistance and by the Boy Scouts of America (BSA) including Philmont Scout Ranch. While the course includes instruction in adult CPR techniques, due to time constraints CPR certification is not included.

This course may be used to recertify current WAFA, WFR, and WEMT certifications from accepted wilderness medicine providers. To receive certification graduates must register and complete the on-line Review & Recertification exam; there is a $25 fee for the on-line exam.

We have direct reciprocity with Wilderness Medicine Outfitters (WMO), First Lead, Aerie Backcountry Medicine, Desert Mountain Medicine (DMM), Sierra Rescue, Stonehearth Open Learning Opportunities (SOLO), Wilderness Medicine Institute of NOLS (WMI), and Wilderness Medical Associates (WMA).

Cost is $245

Click here to download a registration form

Adams State College

WILD about Nature: Fun Kid-Friendly Activities for Outdoor Professionals on 18-Feb-12 9:00 AM

Sat, 18 Feb 2012 14:00:00 GMT

WILD about Nature: Fun Kid-Friendly Activities for Outdoor Professionals
Start Date: 18-Feb-12 9:00 AM
End Time: 18-Feb-12 4:00 PM
Location: YMCA of the Rockies, Estes Park, CO 80511
Speaker: Sarah Folzenlogen and Alicia Hamilton

Event Details:

Join education staff from the Butterfly Pavilion and Downtown Aquarium for an interactive workshop featuring hands-on activities from the Project WILD curriculum!

Project WILD is a wildlife focused conservation education program for K-12 educators and their students. One of the most widely used and successful environmental education programs, it is based on the premise of connecting young people to the natural world through meaningful, interactive curriculum. Emphasizing the importance of wildlife within the broader context of conservation issues, it aims to plant the seed of environmental stewardship and help develop responsible, global citizens.

Workshop participants will get up close and personal with the Project WILD curriculum through a variety of fun indoor and outdoor activities. They’ll also leave the workshop with Project WILD tools and resources so they can begin implementing the curriculum within their own outdoor programs.

YMCA of the Rockies

2515 Tunnel Rd

Estes Park, CO 80511

WEA Accreditation Workshop on 18-Feb-12 1:30 PM

Sat, 18 Feb 2012 18:30:00 GMT

WEA Accreditation Workshop
Start Date: 18-Feb-12 1:30 PM
End Time: 18-Feb-12 4:30 PM
Location: YMCA of the Rockies
Speaker: Chris Pelchat

Event Details:

This workshop will provide an overview of the WEA Accreditation program and the self study process.

Topics include:

the development of your institutional portfolio,
the self-study, and
various evaluative strategies that can be used to enhance program effectiveness.

Organizational representatives are encouraged to attend this workshop prior to the submission of the self-study.

We are offering this workshop free of charge, but we do request that you register for this workshop in advance. Donations in lieu of a registration fee will be accepted for thos that wish to support the accreditation program and this workshop.

YMCA of the Rockies

2012 ICOL Exhibitor Registration on 19-Feb-12 8:30 AM

Sun, 19 Feb 2012 13:30:00 GMT

2012 ICOL Exhibitor Registration
Start Date: 19-Feb-12 8:30 AM
End Time: 21-Feb-12 10:00 PM
Location: Estes Park, Colorado
Event Details:

Stand-alone Exhibitor Table:

Skirted table

BEST FOR: Organizations with a table top display and no 'official' representative on-site.

Organizational Member Rate: $175

Non-Member Rate: $225

Exhibitor Table with Representative:

Skirted table
Registration for one representative

BEST FOR: Organizations with a table top display and a 'roaming' representative.

Organizational Member Rate: $375

Non-Member Rate: $475

Exhibitor Booth with Representative:

10 x 10 pipe and drape booth
Skirted table
Two chairs
Registration for one representative*

BEST FOR: Organizations with larger displays, merchandise samples, and those who preferto interface and meet with attendees at their booth.

Organizational Member Rate: $500

Non-Member Rate: $650

*One additional representative may be added for an additional $250.

Estes Park, Colorado

2012 ICOL Registration on 19-Feb-12 1:00 PM

Sun, 19 Feb 2012 18:00:00 GMT

2012 ICOL Registration
Start Date: 19-Feb-12 1:00 PM
End Time: 21-Feb-12 10:00 PM
Location: YMCA of the Rockies, Estes Park, CO
Speaker: Andrew Buerger

Event Details:

Early Registration Deadline Extended to January 2!

IF YOU....

Need an Invoice

Want to pay by check

Registering more than one person

Please call the WEA National Office (802.448.1191) prior to completing online registration

Registration Notes:

Student registration is available to undergraduate and graduate students enrolled full time and is not intended for individuals working full time. Please be honest.

Presenters must register before December 16th (workshop tracks, student presenters, OLRS, OLPS, etc)

WEA Members must be logged in as members (via site log-in not basecamp) to have access to member rates.

Online payment is required during registration. If you need to pay by check, please contact the National Office and request an invoice.

YMCA of the Rockies

Wilderness First Aid on 24-Feb-12 8:00 AM

Fri, 24 Feb 2012 16:00:00 GMT

Wilderness First Aid
Start Date: 24-Feb-12 8:00 AM
End Time: 25-Feb-12 5:30 PM
Location: Alderleaf Wilderness College, Monroe, WA
Event Details:

Certification is through

the Wilderness Medicine Training Center (WMTC) go to website

Cost is $225 December 24; $250 after.

Click here to download a registration form

Alderleaf Wilderness College

Wilderness First Aid on 3-Mar-12 8:00 AM

Sat, 03 Mar 2012 13:00:00 GMT

Wilderness First Aid
Start Date: 3-Mar-12 8:00 AM
End Time: 3-Mar-12 5:30 PM
Location: Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX
Event Details:

Certification is through

the Wilderness Medicine Training Center (WMTC) go to website

This course is a WMTC Distance Learning Project (DLP) course. You will receive WMTC's water-proof handbook, a data DVD, and access to an on-line text. You must pass the on-line test prior to attending the the practical session. Click here for details.

Our WFA certifications are accepted by the American Camping Association (ACA) for camp programs that are close to standard EMS assistance and by the Boy Scouts of America (BSA) including Philmont Scout Ranch. While the course includes instruction in adult CPR techniques, due to time constraints CPR certification is not included.

The course may be used to recertify current WAFA, WFR, and WEMT certifications from accepted wilderness medicine providers.

Cost is $210 before January 20; $250 after.

Click here to download a registration form

Texas Tech University

Wilderness First Aid on 9-Mar-12 8:30 AM

Fri, 09 Mar 2012 12:30:00 GMT

Wilderness First Aid
Start Date: 9-Mar-12 8:30 AM
End Time: 11-Mar-12 5:30 PM
Location: Five Rivers Metroparks, Dayton, OH
Event Details:

Certification is through

the Wilderness Medicine Training Center (WMTC) go to website

Cost is $230

Click here to download a registration form

Five Rivers Metroparks

Happy Holidays from the WEA - 2012 International Conference on Outdoor Leadership and the International Registry of Outdoor Leaders

National Office WEA - noemail@weainfo.org — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 22:03:48 GMT

Two Column Right Sidebar

From the WEA National Office

This time of year is marked by many exciting events. The fall semester comes to a close, the holidays arrive and we take time to celebrate and spend time with family and friends. It is my hope that each of you have a wonderful holiday season and remember all of the good things in your life!

We haven't sent out a newsletter in a while and want to take this opportunity to share with you some exciting things happening at the WEA.

Mary Stuessy

WEA Executive Director

PS Check out this May LNT Master Educator Course in Indiana offered by WEA Organizational Member Green Earth Outdoors!

2012 International Conference on Outdoor Leadership

Early Registration Deadline Registration EXTENDED TO JANUARY 2!

In the spirit of holiday cheer, we have extended the early registration deadline to January 2. Registration rates will indeed go up on January 3, no exceptions so take advantage of this holiday extension and we will see you in February!

Still seeking conference presentation proposals.

If you are interested in presenting at the conference, we still have a few spaces available. 2nd round submissions will be accepted through January 6th! Please submit your conference proposal ASAP so that you have the best opportunity to present in February.

Click the presentation track you would like to present in to access the call for proposals:

Wilderness Education Association Membership

5 reasons to become a WEA Member:

Start a personal outdoor leadership online portfolio via the International Registry of Outdoor Leaders*
Fab dealson gear and clothing via the WEA Members Only ProMotive team.
Monthly newsletters to keep up to date on WEA happenings
Disounted registration for the International Conference on Outdoor Leadership
Support the WEA's mission to promote the professionalism of the outdoor leadership industry!

Curious about WEA Accreditation and/or the International Registry of Outdoor Leaders? We are designing several webinars to provide a more interactive way for interested individuals and organizations to learn about these programs and how to get involved:

Click here to complete the webinar interest form

For Certified Outdoor Leaders and Instructors:

Did you obtain your OL Certification or Instructor status prior to 2010? If so, you probably have a lot o questions about the IROL and how it affects you. We are designing a webinar to sort through all of the details and set you up for success.

For Folks new to the WEA:

Are you new to the WEA and have questions about WEA Accreditation and the IROL? We are putting together a webinar just for you!

Click Here to cmplete the webinar interest form

Upcoming Organizational Member Events!

Wilderness First Responder
Speaker's Name:
Day: Monday 2-Jan-12 8:00 AM to Tuesday 10-Jan-12 5:30 PM
Location: University of Minnesota Minneapolis, MN
Summary: Certification is through the Wilderness Medicine Training Center (WMTC) ...
Add to Calendar
Posted by: Paul Nicolazzo

LNT Master Educator Course - Big Bend (Course is full!)
Sponsor: Baylor University
Speaker's Name:
Day: Tuesday 3-Jan-12 8:30 AM to Saturday 7-Jan-12 5:30 PM
Location: Big Bend National Park, Texas
Summary: Come join Baylor University on a c...
Add to Calendar
Posted by: National Office WEA

Wilderness First Responder
Speaker's Name:
Day: Wednesday 4-Jan-12 8:30 AM to Sunday 8-Jan-12 5:30 PM
Location: University of Nebraska - Lincoln Outdoor Adventures Lincoln, Nebraska
Summary: Certification is through the Wilderness Medicine Training Center (WMTC) ...
Add to Calendar
Posted by: Paul Nicolazzo

Wilderness First Responder
Speaker's Name:
Day: Wednesday 4-Jan-12 8:30 AM to Sunday 8-Jan-12 5:30 PM
Location: Sonoma State University 1801 East Cotati Avenue Rohnert Park, CA 94928
Summary: Certification is through the Wilderness Medicine Training Center (WMTC) ...
Mapquest | Add to Calendar
Posted by: Paul Nicolazzo

Wilderness EMT Module
Speaker's Name:
Day: Wednesday 4-Jan-12 8:30 AM to 5:30 PM
Location:
Summary: ...
Add to Calendar
Posted by: Paul Nicolazzo

Wilderness EMT Module
Speaker's Name:
Day: Wednesday 4-Jan-12 8:30 AM to Sunday 8-Jan-12 5:30 PM
Location: University of Nebraska - Lincoln Outdoor Adventures Lincoln, NE
Summary: Certification is through the Wilderness Medicine Training Center (WMTC) ...
Add to Calendar
Posted by: Paul Nicolazzo

Wilderness First Responder
Speaker's Name:
Day: Wednesday 4-Jan-12 8:30 AM to Sunday 8-Jan-12 5:30 PM
Location: Sonoma State University 1801 East Cotati Avenue Rohnert Park, CA 94928
Summary: Certification is through the Wilderness Medicine Training Center (WMTC) ...
Mapquest | Add to Calendar
Posted by: Paul Nicolazzo

Wilderness EMT Module
Speaker's Name:
Day: Wednesday 4-Jan-12 8:30 AM to Sunday 8-Jan-12 5:30 PM
Location: Sonoma State University 1801 East Cotati Avenue Rohnert Park, CA 94928
Summary: Certification is through the Wilderness Medicine Training Center (WMTC) ...
Mapquest | Add to Calendar
Posted by: Paul Nicolazzo

Wilderness First Responder
Speaker's Name:
Day: Saturday 7-Jan-12 8:00 AM to Sunday 15-Jan-12 5:30 PM
Location: University of Puget Sound Tacoma, WA
Summary: Certification is through the Wilderness Medicine Training Center (WMTC) ...
Add to Calendar
Posted by: Paul Nicolazzo

Wilderness Medicine Recertification
Speaker's Name:
Day: Saturday 14-Jan-12 8:00 AM to Sunday 15-Jan-12 5:30 PM
Location: University of Puget Sound Tacoma, WA
Summary: Certification is through the Wilderness Medicine Training Center (WMTC) ...
Add to Calendar
Posted by: Paul Nicolazzo

Wilderness First Aid
Speaker's Name:
Day: Saturday 18-Feb-12 8:00 AM to Monday 20-Feb-12 5:30 PM
Location: Adams State College Alamosa, CO
Summary: Certification is through the Wilderness Medicine Training Center (WMTC) ...
Add to Calendar
Posted by: Paul Nicolazzo

2012 ICOL Exhibitor Registration
Sponsor: Wilderness Education Association
Speaker's Name:
Day: Sunday 19-Feb-12 8:30 AM to Tuesday 21-Feb-12 10:00 PM
Location: Estes Park, Colorado
Summary: Stand-alone Exhibitor Table: Skirted table BEST FOR:...
Register Add to Calendar
Posted by: National Office WEA

2012 ICOL Registration
Sponsor: Wilderness Education Association
Speaker's Name: Andrew Buerger, Founder, Climb for Hope
Day: Sunday 19-Feb-12 1:00 PM to Tuesday 21-Feb-12 10:00 PM
Location: YMCA of the Rockies Estes Park, CO
Summary: Early Registration Deadline Extended...
Register Add to Calendar
Posted by: National Office WEA

Wilderness First Aid
Speaker's Name:
Day: Friday 24-Feb-12 8:00 AM to Saturday 25-Feb-12 5:30 PM
Location: Alderleaf Wilderness College Monroe, WA
Summary: Certification is through the Wilderness Medicine Training Center (WMTC) ...
Add to Calendar
Posted by: Paul Nicolazzo

Join us in Estes Park, CO!

WEA + LNT = Master Educator Course Opportunities!

The WEA has been a provider of LNT Master Educator courses since 2005. Through our agreement with the Center for Outdoor Ethics, we are able to offer Master Educator Courses through our network of Organizational Members. If your organization is interested in partnering with the WEA to bring LNT ME courses to your area, please contact the WEA National Office.

nationaloffice@weainfo.org

If you want to take a LNT ME course through the WEA, please check out our course page with our 2012 courses!

www.weainfo.org/lnt

Other things to do over the holidays......

Like the WEA on Facebook

Start using Goodsearch (Enter us as the organization you are earning money for!)

Subscribe to the JOREL

20-Dec-11 5:03 PM

A Primer on Controlled and Automated Decision-Making for Outdoor Leaders

Nate Furman - noemail@weainfo.org — Wed, 23 Mar 2011 16:00:00 GMT

A Primer on Controlled and Automated Decision-Making for Outdoor Leaders

Nate Furman

Adventure Education Program

Green Mountain College

Decision-making is a critical topic for wilderness educators, but the sheer number of decision theories can make it challenging for outdoor leaders to gain a broad sense of the literature. In recent years, a number of papers on decision-making in outdoor education environments have been published. These articles often focus on specific decision-making topics, such as heuristic traps (e.g., McCammon, 2004) and naturalistic decision-making (e.g., Galloway, 2007). Rather than investigate one specific type of decision-making phenomenon, this paper seeks to provide a broad overview of the decision-making literature, most particularly how the roles of automated and controlled decision-making processes operate.

Decisions are thought to be made by (a) controlled, deliberative processes and/or by (b) intuitive, automated processes. Several theoretical models, called dual-process models (e.g., Evans, 2008), account for both of these types of decisions, and suggest that most decisions are not “process pure”—meaning that individuals usually rely on both processes in most decisions. Automated processes are often referred to as intuitive, tacit, heuristic-based, and affective. Controlled processes are often referred to as rational, step-wise, cognitive, and deliberative .

The question of when to use which process should be approached with care. In general, a deliberative approach works well in many outdoor education contexts. In the field, we often work in instructor teams without pressing time constraints, and as such, there is limited utility to using automated decision processes. Using deliberative models of decision-making makes it easier to share decision-making with co-instructors and students. Students often appreciate instructors being “transparent” in their decision-making, and relying on intuition-based decision processes makes it more difficult to communicate why and how a particular decision was made.

Other times, though, using an automated process is warranted, but only if the decision-maker is an expert, or if the decision is relatively unimportant. If the decision is unimportant, then intuition can be an effective decision-making method for even inexperienced instructors (particularly if the opportunity to reflect on the decision is created). If the decision has serious consequences, then only highly experienced practitioners should rely on automated processes.

Expertise plays a major role in which type of decision-making process should be used. Expertise is thought to develop from (a) beginner to (b) advanced beginner to (c) competent to (d) proficient to (e) expert. Further, expertise is highly context-specific, which is important in remember for outdoor leaders. One instructor might be an expert kayaking instructor, but needs to remember that their expertise is limited to teaching kayaking; they are likely not expert wilderness medicine practitioners, and should they be called upon to perform wilderness medicine, should probably use more deliberative decision-making strategies.

Decision complexity is also a factor in when outdoor leaders should rely on automated or controlled processes. Many researchers suggest that when the decision is highly complex—meaning there are too many alternatives, the alternatives are ambiguous, and there is time pressure—that decision-makers are wise to use automated processes (although there is significant disagreement about this idea). These situations are relatively rare in outdoor education, though, as we typically are faced with a fixed set of reasonable alternatives and in no great hurry to carry out a course of action. This is compared to fields such as fire fighting, where people are at risk of dying if a good decision isn’t made immediately, or fields such as macroeconomics or weather forecasting, where an almost infinite number of events can influence an outcome.

So how does one develop good decision-making skills? Similar to Drury’s recommendation (2008), practicing deliberate decision making provides the opportunity to consider a number of alternatives and their potential impacts. Intuition is developed through gaining context-specific expertise in environments that offer consistent feedback (Kahnemann & Klein, 2009), so immersing yourself in field activities will help increase expertise. Intuition is not reserved only for experts, but also for when the decision is relatively unimportant. When you rely on intuition, attempt to reflect on the factors that influenced that decision and why they influenced it.

The decision-making field is interesting and full of ideas. This article sought to briefly summarize some major aspects of the decision-making literature, including automated v. controlled decision-making processes, expertise, and decision-complexity. We recommend reading the works of Klien and Lipschitz (naturalistic decision making and expertise), Gigerenzer and Tversky/Kahnemann (heuristics), Ericsson (expertise), Payne (behavioral decision theory), Swait (decision complexity), Evans (dual-process theory), Weber (mindful decision making), Schwartz (the role of emotion in decision making), and Bechara (somatic marker hypothesis). If you Google the author’s name with the text in parentheses you’ll be able to track down a number of excellent, insightful articles.

References

Drury, J. (2008). The case for teaching the rational decision-making process. Journal of the Wilderness

Education Association, 20(3), 6-7.

Evans, J. (2008). Dual-processing accounts of reasoning, judgment, and social cognition. Annual Review of Psychology, 599, 255-278.

Kahneman, D., & Klein G. (2009). Conditions of intuitive expertise: A failure to disagree. American Psychologist, 64(6), 515-526.

Galloway, S. (2007). Experience and medical decision-making in outdoor leaders. Journal of Experiential

Education, 30(2), 99-116.

McCammon, I. (2004). Heuristic traps in recreational avalanche accidents: Evidence and

implications. Avalanche News, 68, 1-10.

23-Mar-11 12:00 PM

JWEA Update

Briget Eastep - noemail@weainfo.org — Mon, 13 Dec 2010 15:00:00 GMT

You may have noticed that the Journal of the Wilderness Education Association (JWEA) has not been consistent in the past year. Between the Newsletter, which updates members regarding WEA, and the Journal of Outdoor Recreation, Education and Leadership (JOREL), which publishes peer reviewed articles, the JWEA has gotten lost.

The Research Committee has been in discussion about the evolving purpose of the JWEA and its value to members. We have not found a solid solution to date, but plan to address the JWEA at the next International Conference on Outdoor Leadership. The ideas percolating right now include 1) Turning the JWEA into a student led journal 2) Having affiliates adopt the JWEA for a term 3) Committing to its current form with more public relations and article solicitating focusing on WEA's core curriculum. If you have ideas, please comment on this update.

In the meantime, if you have an article, please use WEA's site to post it. We will continue to collect articles and identify at least one issue this year.

Thank you,

Briget Eastep, Ph.D.

Editor JWEA

13-Dec-10 10:00 AM

Outdoor leadership and the “poor me” syndrome

Gregor Kay - noemail@weainfo.org — Mon, 13 Dec 2010 15:00:00 GMT

by Gregor Kay

It starts mildly enough. You might not even notice. Someone in your group remarks about all that has gone wrong today, saying little about what went right. Then, later they bemoan their aches and pains from carrying their pack or that their boots are hurting their feet. Then they talk about their life back home and its many toils and troubles, as if others around them didn’t have their own. Next, they do little to help with group tasks, like setting up camp or cooking a meal. Finally, they compare their lot in life to someone else who seems to have it better. You may just want to say to this person, “Grow up”!

Wilderness can be a place of great growth. In fact, wilderness outings can be a place of great transition in a person’s life. The multi-day trips with other people, all who also have their own life issues, can provide an excellent venue for a change in ones perspective. The “poor me” persons, having to struggle with social, physical and natural phenomena in a new way can alert them to their ill found ways of looking at life. Can the venue alone make the person see the light? Perhaps. But good leaders can do more.

There will surely be a better chance of behavioral change if the astute guide can identify what’s going on and make an effort to change it. As a guide, you may feel that you are not responsible for changing a person, but if you look at the group as a whole, then you surely are responsible for them. You do have a duty to keep morale up, so that when you face real challenges, the group is ready to handle it. In this context, taking control of the situation is important. “Poor me” syndrome is contagious, and detrimental to group productivity. At the bare minimum, this type of behavior is boorish, dull, and unpleasant. If it is not addressed, this behavior can lead to the breakdown of the entire group and worse. So, what does the leader/guide do? Here are some suggested remedies for the behavior you want the person (lets call him/her Mel) to address.

Get Mel to reflect on how they talk, where his focus lies or perhaps have a voluntary journal reading around the campfire one evening after you suggest the reflection.
- It is likely that Mel will hear other readings and see how positive the others are and gain some insight that his negativity is overdone.
Assign tasks to Mel making her responsible for helping others.
- When Mel sees what others experience, her troubles may seem to diminish.
In a group setting, have participants list two things that made them happy, and one not so happy event.
- This will give everyone an opportunity to talk about their day, while ending on a positive note. Positivity may be empowering to Mel, and give more reason to think more positively.
Model the behavior and speech you are suggesting.
- Mel can understand better if he sees the behavior in action.

By using multiple strategies, there is a greater chance that Mel will come to understand her behavior and the need for change. These suggestions, and your leadership can help the “poor me” in your group. By addressing the behavior, maybe we can get Mel and others to be a happier part of the group. We can all use a little more happiness!

Reference:

Self-Pity – The Poor Me Syndrome

http://www.about-personal-growth.com/self-pity.html.

Accessed Feb. 1, 2010

Author unknown

13-Dec-10 10:00 AM

12 days remaining!

National Office WEA - noemail@weainfo.org — Mon, 06 Dec 2010 16:15:15 GMT

Tendenci Newsletter

2011 International Conference on Outdoor Leadership

Act quickly, the early registration discount ends in 12 days!

Hello [firstname],

We don't want you to miss out on this opportunity to receive the best possible price on your registration for the 2011 International Conference on Outdoor Leadership.

	Register Before 17-Dec-10 11:45 PM	Register Before 14-Feb-11 11:45 PM	Register After 14-Feb-11 11:45 PM
Member:	$295.00	$360.00	$380.00
Non-Member:	$375.00	$475.00	$495.00
Student Member:	$130.00	$170.00	$190.00
Student Non-Member:	$160.00	$210.00	$230.00
Exhibitor Booth:	$500.00	$600.00	$650.00

Be sure to get the very best price and update your membership before registering!

Register online or call the WEA National Office today (812) 855-4095

Help us spread the word and pass this message along to professionals, academicians, guides, students and anyone else you know that are looking for professional development opportunities!

PRE-CONFERENCE WORKSHOPS - Register Today!

Half Day Workshops

Emergency Epi for Anaphylaxis & Ruling-Out Orthopedic Injuries (Sun am)

WEA Accreditation Workshop (Sun pm)

Single Day Workshops

Introduction to Ice Climbing (Sat)

Project WILD for Outdoor Professionals (Sat)

Avalanche Workshop for Field Instructors (Sat)

Worst Case Scenario Survival Skills (Sat) - Information Coming soon!

Two Day Workshops (Sat-Sun)

DLP WFR and WEMT Recertification Course

Creating a SPEC (Student-centered, Problem-based, Experiential, Collaborative) Classroom

Avalanche Awareness Course

Be sure to 'like' us and check out our updates on facebook!

Stay up to date with our RSS feeds.

6-Dec-10 11:15 AM

Outdoor Leadership and the Poor Me Syndrome

Gregor Kay - noemail@weainfo.org — Wed, 01 Dec 2010 13:00:00 GMT

Outdoor Leadership and the “Poor Me” Syndrome

It starts mildly enough. You might not even notice at first. Someone in your group, let's call him or her Mel, remarks on much that has gone wrong during the day, saying little about what went right. Later he bemoans his aches and pains from carrying his pack or that his boots are hurting his feet. Then he talks about his life back home and its many toils and troubles, which might actually sound somewhat commonplace, as if others around them didn’t have their own. Next, he does little to help with group tasks, like setting up camp or cooking a meal. Finally, he compares his lot in life to someone else who seems to have it better. At times, the group becomes the therapy for the one individual, and at other times, you may just want to say to this person, “Grow up”!

Wilderness can be a place of great growth. Furthermore, wilderness outings can be a place of great transition in a person’s life. The multi-day trips with other people, all who have their own life issues, can provide an excellent venue for a change in one's perspective. The “poor me” individual, addressing social, physical and natural phenomena during the outing in a way that they previously may not have, can inadvertently wake up to her difficult ways of dealing with life. Can the venue alone make the person "see the light"? Perhaps. -But good leaders can do more, which will benefit not only the individual, but the group as well.

There will surely be a better chance of behavioral change if the astute leader can identify what’s going on and make an effort to correct it. As a leader, you may feel that you are not responsible for changing a person, but if you look at the group members as a whole, then you surely are responsible for them. You can not let one sewing seeds of discontent spread throughout the whole. You have a duty to keep morale up, so that when you face challenges, the group is ready to handle them.

As a leader, taking control of the situation is important. “Poor me” syndrome is contageous, and detrimental to group effectiveness, productivity and overall success. At the bare minimum, this type of behavior can be boorish, dull, and unpleasant. If it is not addressed, this behavior can lead to the breakdown of the entire group and worse, or ruin the potential and experience for other individuals in the group. So, what does the good leader do? Here are some suggestions for the behavior you want to address:

Start the day having the group focus on speaking with positive intent, keeping the focus on possibilities and successes, End the day with a voluntary journal reading around the campfire reflecting on the effects of the positive attitude in their day's experience.
It is likely that Mel will hear other readings and see the effect of others' positivitiy and gain some insight that his negativity might overdone or inappropriate.
Assign tasks to each group member, making Mel specifically responsible for helping others.
When Mel sees others' experiences, her troubles may seem to diminish. As well, her sense of belonging and contribution may improve her own experience and attitude.
Have each group member list one difficulty of the day then two happy or successful events.
This will give everyone an equal opportunity to talk about their day, while ending on a positive note. The positivity outweighing the negativity may be empowering to Mel, and give incentive to think more positively.
Model the behavior and speech you are suggesting.
Mel can understand better if he sees the behavior in action and it's effects.

By using multiple strategies, there is a greater chance that Mel will come to understand her behavior and the need for change. These suggestions, and your leadership can help the “poor me” in your group and the group as a whole. By addressing the behavior, maybe we can get Mel and others to be a happier part of the group. We can all use a little more happiness!

Reference:

Self-Pity – The Poor Me Syndrome

http://www.about-personal-growth.com/self-pity.html.

Accessed Feb. 1, 2010

Author unknown

1-Dec-10 8:00 AM

Nary a Month Remains!

National Office WEA - noemail@weainfo.org — Wed, 17 Nov 2010 16:00:00 GMT

Tendenci Newsletter

2011 International Conference on Outdoor Leadership

February 21-23

Pre-Conference: Feb 19-20

YMCA of the Rockies - Estes Park, Colorado

Early Registration Pricing Ends December 17th!

WEA National Office

Eigenmann Hall #029

1900 E 10th St

Bloomington, IN 47406

E: nationaloffice@weainfo.org

P: 812.855.4095

Hello [firstname]!

Don't let this next month get away from you!

If you haven't submitted your conference presentation yet it's not too late! The extended deadline is November 23, so don't wait much longer.....this last week will sneak up on you quickly!

Don't hesitate to contact the WEA National Office if you need assistance or have any questions about the upcoming event. We are happy to create registration invoices, register you over the phone, update your membership or just answer your questions!

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

Mary Williams and Margaret Estock

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17-Nov-10 11:00 AM

2010 Proceedings - National Conference on Outdoor Leadership

National Office WEA - noemail@weainfo.org — Tue, 19 Oct 2010 19:00:00 GMT

2010 Conference Proceedings

Spring Courses on the Western Slopes of the Tetons

Author: Maurice Phipps

WEA courses have been taught in the Jedediah Wilderness Area of Wyoming for over thirty years, most often when the head office was in Paul Petzoldt's Lodge in Alta at the entrance to Teton Canyon. WEA recently gave up the UFS Permit but it may be possible that the Forest Service is setting up some temporary days that may be available. Years ago WEA courses were 30 days long starting in June -- which meant that they included spring mountaineering. When talking about spring mountaineering, one... [More Info]

Developing a WEA Program for High School Students

Author: Mary Williams & Matt Scholl

Release Date: Friday 15-Oct-10 11:00 PM

Developing a WEA Program for High School Students Presented by: Matt Scholl - Manice Education Center Director, Christodora Mary Williams - Executive Director, WEA Background & Need: The WEA's mission is to professionalize the outdoor leadership industry and has targeted higher education and those organizations and individuals working and training professionally in the field of outdoor leadership. The impetus for this presentation and the concept... [More Info]

Outdoor Risk Management Training Tool – The development of Critical Adventure Scenario Exercise (CASE)

Author: Guan-Jang Wu

Outdoor Risk Management Training Tool - The development of Critical Adventure Scenario Exercise (CASE) by Guan-Jang Wu, Assistant Professor, National Taiwan Sport University Yun Chang, Teaching Assistant, National Taiwan Sport University Introduction In recent years, risk management has become one of the most discussed issues in the field of outdoor adventure due to the increasing accidents around the world, including Taiwan. Organizations' efforts... [More Info]

What Can I Do With My Recreation Degree? Having fun like it’s our job.

Author: Rachel Collins

The Spaceship Consider this scenario. The world has ended and there are 12 people on a spaceship headed to start a new colony on a new planet. The problem is there are only enough resources on the spaceship for 6 of the people to make it to the new planet. On the spaceship you have a Doctor, a Poet, a Farmer, a Leader, a Geologist, a Novelist, a Researcher, a Solider, a Musician, an Engineer, a Teacher and a Recreation Specialist. Who do you think are the most critical people that... [More Info]

Supersize Your Bag of Tricks: Activities for Outdoor Leaders.

Author: Kim Collins & Tyler Kivland

Job Expectations of Outdoor Leadership

Author: Genevieve Marchand

Workshop summary This workshop asked participants to look at their past and current job expectations concerning outdoor leadership. Veteran outdoor leaders were asked to share differences between their past expectations and current job demands. New outdoor leaders were asked to think about actions they could take to minimize burnout due to job demand stressors. Introduction The role of expectations in the lives of modern humans is generally seen in two ways. On one hand, some... [More Info]

Oklahoma State University's Outdoor Adventure and Saint Cloud State University's Outdoor Endeavors Present Dr. Frank Lupton: A Conversation with a WEA Founder.

Author: Patrick Lewis, Ivan Bartha, and Emily McKenzie

On October 22, 1977 Frank Lupton, Paul Petzoldt, Chuck Gregory and Bob Christie met in a non-descript conference room on the campus of Western Illinois for a meeting that would significantly impact many future outdoor leaders and much of outdoor education. The meeting was held to discuss a national certification in outdoor leadership and resulted in the inception of the Wilderness Education Association (WEA). Over thirty years later, we met with Dr. Frank Lupton in Lake City, Minnesota to hear his story.... [More Info]

Proposals for the 2011 International Conference on Outdoor Leadership are being accepted.

Deadlines are quickly approaching!

2011 International Conference on Outdoor Leadership

International Conference on Outdoor Leadership February 21-23, 2011 - Estes Park, CO... [More Info]

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19-Oct-10 3:00 PM

Supersize Your Bag-of-Tricks: Activities for Outdoor Leaders

Kim Collins - noemail@weainfo.org — Mon, 18 Oct 2010 19:00:00 GMT

Kim Collins, Indiana University Outdoor Adventures, Bloomington, Indiana

Tyler Kivland, Indiana University Outdoor Adventures, Bloomington, Indiana

Keywords

Activities, Outdoors, Leaders, Games, Trips

Introduction

The need for this workshop was born in the outdoor classrooms of Indiana University Outdoor Adventures (IUOA). During the last couple of years, we saw leaders using the same set of name games with each of their groups at the beginning of a trip meeting. We also observed what appeared to be lack of knowledge on behalf of new outdoor leaders regarding when to use the other activities and games they knew during the course of a trip. Activities and games can happen in a formal, organized setting, such as at the beginning and end of an experience. They also and often more successfully, can happen more informally throughout many different settings of an outdoor trip. Through talking to other leaders at other programs and schools, we noticed that they were often like our leaders, early in their outdoor leading careers, and looking for new ways to get basic information shared amongst group members throughout the duration of a weekend trip.

Leadership (NCOL) was to show new outdoor leaders that the art of facilitation on a weekend trip is not as difficult as one might assume. It is important that outdoor leaders make the most of short amount of time they have with their participants by filling "dead space" in the schedule (i.e. hanging around camp, in the car, waiting for a canoe shuttle, etc.) with activities and games. Playing games and participating in activities together will allow the group to discover new things about each other and themselves as individuals.

We chose not to share the "same, old, tired" games and activities that may have been used or overused in our participants' past. Many schools and sports teams now incorporate games and facilitated activities into their repertoire, to achieve the same goals that we hope to achieve during a weekend trip. As facilitators and trip leaders, ourselves, we felt that we were trying to use old activities in new ways or make up our own activities for the trips that we lead for IUOA. Therefore, we chose to use some "oldies, but goodies" in our presentation, but in new creative ways. We chose the activities for our presentation with the hope that they would enhance an outdoor experience.

Definitions

Activity

An activity is an event engaged in for diversion or amusement, a form of organized, supervised, often extracurricular recreation (Merriam-Webster, 2010), or in the case of this article, a facilitated event that has no clear winning or losing team, often used as a vehicle to get to know a group better, or to encourage teamwork (Bradford Woods, 2003).

Game

According to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, a game is an activity engaged in for diversion or amusement or a physical or mental competition conducted according to rules with the participants in direct opposition to each other. We use the term "game" in this article to mean the second definition, as a game needs the element of competition.

Outdoor Leader

In the context of this article, an outdoor leader is person trained to lead participants in adventurous activities.

Weekend Trip

A weekend trip is one that takes place Friday through Sunday.

Why do we do activities?

Activities and games help our group develop as a unit, and simultaneously, as individuals during the course of a trip. Whether a group needs to work on awareness, communication, cooperation, or goal setting, there are activities that are useful to help facilitate human skills (Nicolazzo, n.d.) needed by members for trip success. During our presentation, we asked the group to tell us why outdoor leaders run activities and games during trips. After some discussion within small groups, the groups told us outdoor leaders do activities (a) as energizers for participants and leaders, whenever needed, (b) for group morale boost during long days on the trail, long crossings while paddling, or during challenging sections of a trip, physically or mentally, (c) to build group culture (i.e. to develop "inside jokes" that are unique to the group), (d) to build comfort between group members and leaders (i.e. to "break down walls and/or boundaries"), (e) to destroy awkwardness of meeting new people at the beginning of the trip, and (f) to assess group development.

When do Trip Leaders lead activities?

During the course of a weekend trip, there are many opportunities to lead structured and casual activities and games. The group listed the following times as appropriate times to lead games and activities, (a) when a group first meets, (b) when the group needs a moral boost, (c) during non-scheduled or "down time", (d) during the pre-trip meeting, (e) fireside, (f) during water or food breaks, (g) at the end of a trip, (h) when the group needs a "brain snack", (i) before putting a group into "solo", (j) when packing camp, (k) in the car or during travel, and (l) as the "last word" between activity/schedule transitions.

In order to organize the presentation content into a usable amount of information for an hour and thirty minute period, we split activities that fell into the times above into four major categories:

Meet and greet activities

Car games
Initiatives and Group Challenges
Debriefs and Group Closings

Meet & Greet Activities

Meet and Greet activities are a good way to create sparks between group members that do not know one another and between those that do know one another already. The purpose behind these types of activities lies within the balance of letting the group get to know one another, but also having them leave the game or set of activities wanting more information about each other. Activities that fall under the "Meet and Greet" category are activities and games are ones that focus on group awareness. Trip leaders can capture a lot of information about their group members by playing a simple name game.

1. Human Map

Equipment:None

Time:~10 min

Brief description:

Create a human map to show where people consider their home. Indicate North, East, South & West, then allow participants to position themselves to create a map.

An interesting way for people to get to know one another is to learn about the geographical distribution of where people come from.
Ask participants to create a human map, by standing to indicate where they consider home. Indicate North, East, South & West, then allow participants to position themselves to create a map.
Ask the person who is the furthest what their name is and where they come from. Proceed to ask each major cluster where they come from. In this process, participants may refine or improve their map.

Optional: To extend the activity, ask participants to create a human map to show:

Where their mother/father was born
Where they would ideally like to live
The farthest place you've travelled

2. Two Truths and One Lie

Equipment: none

Set-up time: none

Game Length: 10-30mins

# of Players: 2+

Rules/Directions:

The rules and directions follow are quite simple. Each person playing the game takes a turn sharing two truths about him or her and a lie. The rest of the group is then given the chance to determine which of the three "truths," is in fact, a lie. This allows group member to share some interesting information about him or herself, as well as get a little creative at the same time.

Game Variations:

This game can easily be played in teams if you have a large amount of people where teams switch off and keep a collective score. Another variation I have done and worked well for the group I had was to ask each person to write down the most interesting oddball fact about him or herself, and put the fact into a hat. Once you have collected all the facts group members can take turns drawing a fact out of the hat. They are then given the chance to tell the story about the fact they drew as if it were their own. Whether or not the fact is reality their own, the goal is to convince the rest of the group that it really is true. At the end of the game when everyone has "acted" out or told their story, go back and see what facts meet up with what person.

3. People to People

Equipment: none

Game Length: 5-20 min

# of Players: 5+

Rules/Directions:

Each player should find a partner. Once everyone has found a partner the facilitator calls out parts of the body for the pairs to match up. i.e. right foot to left elbow; each pair has to touch player one's right foot to player two's left elbow or vice versa. Once everyone seems to have accomplished this call, add on maybe 2 or three more calls for the groups to work on. i.e. nose to shoulder; while still holding the first call the players must now touch nose to shoulder as well and so on. Once everyone starts falling over and laughing, call "people-to-people" and everyone switches partners and the game repeats itself with new calls. (Be careful with the body parts you call to keep from inappropriate "moves")

Game Variations:

Jump into the action if there is an odd number and have whoever is left over be the new "caller.” You can also turn this into a competitive game if you eliminate people who fall or laugh, etc.

4. All My Friends and Neighbors

Equipment: A few less chairs than the amount of people playing or place markers like spots or pieces of paper. Something to use as a place marker for each individual (a nametag, a napkin, a note card).

Set-up time: none

Game Length: 10-30mins

# of Players: Works well in small or large groups (12-60 people)

Rules/Directions:

Ask participants to form a shoulder-to-shoulder standing circle and then have each person take a step back. Give each participant a placeholder, which he/she should place at his or her feet.

The leader takes a place in the center of the circle.

The facilitator says: “This activity is similar to the game of musical chairs that you played as a child. As you will notice, there is one less place than there are people in the group. That is why I am in the center of the circle. Therefore, I will begin in the center of the circle, but my task is to try to find a place on the outside of the circle and have someone else end up without a place. The way I am going to do that is to make a statement that is TRUE for me. For example, if I am wearing tennis shoes, I might say ‘All my neighbors who are wearing tennis shoes.’ If that statement is also true for you, then you must come off your place and find another spot in the circle. I could also say something like ‘All my neighbors who love to swim,’ and if that is true for you on the outside of the circle, you must move and find a new place. You may not move immediately to your right or left and you may not move off your space and return to it in the same round. Let us do this safely. No running. No body checking, kicking, or pinching. OK. I’ll start.”

When you think people have had enough, simply say “OK, this is the last round.” Give a round of applause to the last person who ends up in the center.

Car Games

When a trip leaves home base headed for their destination, more often than not, there is somewhat of a long drive ahead. Whether the drive lasts one hour or ten, trip leaders have the opportunity to spend quality time with their participants. Why not utilize it? Think of how fun trips are when you feel like you are sharing that adventure with friends. By using your driving time to ask questions, play games, and share some laughs. You are not only creating memories, but you are also using your time in the car to read your group.

By doing so, you are setting yourself up to adapt the trip successfully, however you see fit, to meet the expectations of your participants. It is far too often that trip leaders waste this valuable time allowing participants to play on their phones, listen to i Pods, or simply stare off into the horizon in an awkward stare. Maybe they do this because it is easier than starting a discussion or a game or maybe they do this because they do not realize the many ways you can facilitate a trip outside of the traditional settings.

leave your participants paying for a boring ride in the car when you can be taking some initiative

to spark conversation, laughs, and memories.

The following were examples used to illustrate this message and provide a foundation for our

participants:

1. The Movie Game

Equipment: none

Set-up time: none

Game Length: 20 min to 2 days

# of Players: 2+ (can also be played in groups for beginners)

Rules/Directions:

The game begins with player one choosing an actor/actress. Player 2 then needs to decide whether or not to accept or decline based on the actor/actress player one chooses. (This keeps player one from choosing super obscure actors that will end the game too quickly. The goal is to choose someone that many people recognize and save the hard ones for later.) Once player two accepts, the game has begun. Using the actor that has been selected, player two must name a movie that that actor has played any part in (i.e. If player one chooses Tom Hanks and player two accepts, player two can say Apollo 13).

The next player (player three and so on, if there are many players or player two again if you only have two) then has two choices as to how they would like to play next. They can either 1) name another movie with that actor in it (i.e. Forrest Gump) or 2) name another actor in the previously named movie (i.e. Gary Sinise). If a player cannot think of any more movies or actors according to these rules, then they risk being eliminated (A movie or actor can only be used once. i.e. According to our example the next player cannot go back to Apollo 13 just because both of our actors play a part in both movies). To be eliminated from the game, the next player must be able to continue the game by again saying a movie or actor. Play continues this way until all players are eliminated but one.

Game Variations:

This game can be quite easy or quite hard depending on the experiences of your group members. To make things easier or extend the game, play in teams rather than individual partners. You can also play the "challenge" version of this game. A challenge can be called by any player. When one player calls a challenge on another, they are tempting their target player into somewhat of a two person dual. If the challenged player accepts, those to player duke it out by naming movies or actors back and forth until one player is stumped and the other can finish them by naming one additional name/movie. If the challenged player chooses to deny the challenge, play continues as usual. This can be a lot of fun when playing individually with more than two people.

2. Celebrity/Alphabet game

Equipment: none

Set-up time: none

Game Length: 5+ min

# of Players: 2+

Rules/Directions:

Player 1 begins the game by choosing a celebrity. Player 2 then uses the name that player one chooses to continue the game. Player 2 must choose another celebrity whose first name starts with the same letter as the previously mentioned celebrity's last name. i.e. If player one chooses Brad Pitt, player two must choose someone whose first name starts with the letter "P.” Players continue to take their turn choosing celebrities in this manner until all players are eliminated except one, the winner.

A player is eliminated if 1) they cannot think of another celebrity or 2) if they repeat a celebrity name that has already been used in the game. In the case, that someone chooses a celebrity who goes by only one name (i.e. Madonna) play continues on the first letter of that name.

Game Variations:

To make the game more interesting you can add the reversal and skip rules. If a player chooses a celebrity with the same letter beginning their first and last name then play reverses (i.e. Mike Myers). If a player chooses a celebrity with three or more names then a player is skipped for every name more than two (i.e. "Philip Seymour Hoffman" would skip one person) Another way to mix things up would be to play with musicians and band names, movie stars, etc. You choose the category.

3. Scavenger Hunt

Equipment: Paper and pen

Set-up time: 5-10 min

Game Length: 5 min or the entire trip, it is up to you

Rules/Directions:

It is quite simple really. Have anyone who wants to play make a short list of things you want to find along your journey. Combine the lists and start searching.

Game Variations:

To make this competitive you can have a master list made of items as stated before but tear each item separately and put them in a hat. Have each team take turns drawing out of the hat until all items are assigned to a team. See who can find all of their items first (or most of their items if the game does not end). As simple as this game is, think of how many people collect license plate states on their trip and how this is simply a modification of that kind of fun.

Some of the items compiled include:

hammock
snowman
prisoner
moss
cows
hay
corn maze
worlds’ largest something
cave
ropes course
in-ground swimming pool
lake
"cement zoo"

4. Other activities that could occur during the driving portion of the trip include:

Road BINGO, made by your group, customized to your trip
Would You Rather Questions, a book series from David Gomberg and Justin Heimberg
Catchphrase, a game by Milton Bradley

Initiatives & Group Challenges

Initiatives or group challenges can be physical or mental. As leaders, we may be able to use the physical challenges as «energizers» for the group to raise morale or to transition from one activity to the next. Mental challenges may be used when are not actively managing often also used at camp, middle of trip, lunch stops, as they help the group to get to know one another better, build “inside jokes,” and help pass “down time.”

1. Minute Mysteries/Riddles:

Rules/Directions:

Minute Mysteries are riddles that take less than a minute to tell, but many minutes to guess the answers. Players must ask as many «yes or no» questions necessary to obtain the solution to the riddle.

Riddle*:

The telephone rang in the middle of the night and the woman woke up. When she answered it, the caller hung up. The caller felt better.

Solution:

It was a husband calling from overseas to see that his wife arrived home all right. Hanging up before three seconds elapse results in no charge to the calling party. He could not call person-to-person because the local operators did not speak English.

(*For more riddles, visit http://www.math.umass.edu/~diehl/mysteries.html.) (Diehl, 2010)

2.Camouflage

Equipment: none/self

Set-up time: none

Game Length: 5 min or the entire trip, it is up to you

# of Players: 2+ (the more, the merrier!)

Rules/Directions:

This game is played like a game of "hide and seek," except that the "finder" must stay in one set place during the "seeking." The hiders must make sure that some part of their body/clothing is able to be seen by the seeker, but blend into their surroundings, thus Camouflage.

3. Other activities that could occur during "down time" or at camp include:

Knot Tie, an activity challenging participants to seek solutions "out of the box"
Virtual Juggle, an activity centered on focusing group attention and goal setting
Waa!, a game of hand signals, Ninjas, Fireballs, Snakes, and Bears
Green Glass Door – plus derivations
Finger fencing
Butt jousting
Push game
Leg wrestling

Debriefs and Group Closings

Debriefs can occur at the end of a day, experience, or trip with the purpose to wrap up experience, or aid transference of an experience.

Draw trip (visual representation)
Bag O’ Metaphors
Homemade Chiji cards
Decorate and replant Spider Plants to demonstrate our link as living part of shared experience

Make up your own activity!

The last 30 minutes of the presentation were reserved for small groups to make up their own activity or to adapt an existing activity.

The activities designed by the participants of the workshop are posted at «The Big Bags of Tricks Project»

https://sites.google.com/site/bigbagoftricksproject/

Conclusion

According to Shooter, Paisley, & Sibthorp (2009) "...outdoor leaders [have the ability to] encourage healthy, constructive relationships between themselves and participants... [this] might be a vital step in understanding the process through which participants realize outcomes" (cited from Mayer, Davis, & Schoorman, 1995). If outdoor leaders choose to prepare unique activities for their groups ahead of time, or choose from their "bag of tricks" by assessing the group in the moment, their group may have a more positive, memorable weekend trip.

As outdoor leaders, we should remember the same activity and/or game may be used for a variety of purposes, such as (1) group energizer, (2) morale booster, (3) to build group culture, and (4) to build an individual's comfort within the group and help break down "barriers." Leaders must be observant and learn how to better "read" their groups, so as to lead activities that work on themes such as "cliques," "apathy versus helpfulness," and when the group needs a "Maslow break" (i.e. food, water, shed or gain a layer, bathroom breaks, space for mental breaks, etc.). As easy as this is to type, being an observant leader takes practice.

When facilitating games and activities for participants on a weekend trip, leaders should consider the gear they are already packing for the trip, such as paddles, climbing rope, helmets, tents, bandannas, as all of these items may be used as props in different activities. If the trip has extra space in their van, leaders may choose to bring extra props for their group activities, such as a ball, a pool noodle, or PVC pipes of different lengths. Leaders have the option of choosing activities and games that are prop heavy and require the packing of extra items, or leaders can plan their activities around the individual and group trip gear provided. Either way, choose activities specific to your group, make them fun, meaningful, spontaneous, and purposeful.

Sources

Most games and activities are passed on by “word-of-mouth” and during an outdoor experience. Many of the people and places we learned how to play and lead the activities in this article either do not work in the same place, or we learned the activities from in-house facilitation trainings and on-the-job experiences with co-facilitators. Therefore, we have a long list of employers and trainers that prepared us to be group facilitators, and few academic sources for use in this article. Academic/Professional References

Diehl, Michael (n.d.). Minute Mysteries (a.k.a. lateral thinking puzzles). Retrieved April 30, 2010 from http://www.math.umass.edu/~diehl/mysteries.html.
Merriam-Webster Dictionary (n.d). Game definition. Retrieved April 8, 2010 from http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/game.
Nicolazzo, Paul (n.d.). Instructor Skills and Competency versus Program Design. Retrieved April 8, 2010 from http://www.outdoored.com/Community/wikis/articles/instructor-skills-ampcompetency-versus-program-design-a-delicate-balance.aspx.
Shooter, Wynn; Paisley, Karen & Sibthorp, Jim. (2009) The Effect of Leader Attributes, Situational Context, and Participant Optimism on Trust in Outdoor Leaders. Journal of Experiential Education. V31:N3.

Employers and Trainers

The Adventure Center at Belmont, Belmont, IN.
Bradford Woods, Martinsville, IN.
Camp Ondessonk, Ozark, IL.
Conservation Outdoor Recreation and Education (CORE) Program, Bloomington, IN.
Fritz Harbridge, Owner of Team Effect Inc., Nashville, IN.
Indiana University Outdoor Adventures, Bloomington, IN.
Jill Price, Independent Group Consultant, Wilkes-Barre, PA.
National Outdoor Leadership School, Palmer, AK.
Northern Illinois Operation Snowball, Oregon, IL.
Taft Campus, Northern Illinois University, Oregon, IL.
YMCA Camp Tecumseh, Brookston, IN.

18-Oct-10 3:00 PM

Oklahoma State University’s Outdoor Adventure and Saint Cloud State University’s Outdoor Endeavors Present Dr. Frank Lupton: A Conversation with a WEA Founder

Lewis Patrick - noemail@weainfo.org — Mon, 18 Oct 2010 14:00:00 GMT

Patrick Lewis, Ivan Bartha & Emily McKenzie

Motivated by curiosity for the history of outdoor recreation and education and believing in its importance the impetus for this conversation stemmed from a desire to hear directly from those involved. This project employed a digitally recorded conversation to provide a first-person account of the events associated with Dr. Lupton’s story. The goal for our conversation was to gain a deeper understanding of the events in Dr. Lupton’s life that preceded his involvement in the WEA and led up to his specific role in the inception of the WEA. Our hope for the conversation was to learn how and why the WEA was created and also to hear how and if the WEA impacted Dr. Lupton’s life.

Following our January conversation, we condensed three hours of recordings into a forty minute story. The resulting story is our interpretation of the conversation and reflects our biases. In our review of the conversation, Dr. Frank Lupton got in the way of history and consciously chose to make a difference in the lives of students and future outdoor leaders. His commitment (along with the other founders) to a cause beyond himself is emblematic of good exhibition behavior and has made a difference. We hope this video will provide an opportunity to learn about one of WEA’s founders and the events associated with his story.

The full DVD shown at WEA 2010 National Conference on Outdoor Leadership is attached to the link pasted below. The authors hope the DVD may help supplement current outdoor education resources and would love to hear thoughts and reactions to the DVD. Finally, Dr. Lupton would like to remind everyone, “The sun is shinning, the birds are singing, it’s a great day to be alive.”

Please find the video at: http://vimeo.com/12180554

Patrick Lewis and Emily McKenzie are currently graduate students at Oklahoma State University working on their PhD and Masters degree respectively. Ivan Bartha is the Coordinator of Experiential Programs at St. Could State University. Questions and comments can be directed to the authors at the following email addresses:

Patrick Lewis- Patrick.lewis@okstate.edu

Ivan Bartha- ilbartha@stcloudstate.edu

Emily McKenzie- Emily.mckenzie@okstate.edu

18-Oct-10 10:00 AM

Student Lead Presentation Submissions due December 2, 2011

noemail@weainfo.org — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 19:00:00 GMT

2nd annual Student Lead Presentations Call for Abstracts 2012 National Conference on Outdoor Leadership Estes Park, Colorado February 18-21, 2012 Student Presentation Proposal Details: Each student presenter will be given a 45 minute time frame to present on the topic of their choice. Students must submit a presentation proposal which will be used to determine which students will be selected to present at the 2012 conference Proposals are due online by December 2, 2011 Presenters must register by the early registration deadline (December 16, 2011) or their spot will be given to another student Presenters are to submit their content to the Special Events Committee by January 17th, 2012 Presenters are expected to submit content to the Conference Proceedings after the conference by the designated deadline, April 1, 2012 Student presenters must choose a professional mentor who will serve as an advisor...

Accreditation Update

noemail@weainfo.org — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 19:00:00 GMT

The WEA Accreditation Council (WEAAC) is up and running on all cylinders. WEA Board of Trustees Vice President Chris Pelchat is the acting chair of the council and is focusing his energy on guiding the newly developed review teams through their role as members of the WEAAC and the review processes charged to the council.

The WEAAC is made up of 16 members divided into five separate review teams. A current list of WEAAC members and teams can be found on the WEA website at: http://www.weainfo.org/attachments/contentmanagers/2175/WEAAC%20Members.pdf

The WEAAC has completed reviews for the following organizations' Preliminary Applications for Accreditation:

Ohio University
Rare Earth Adventures
Ithaca College

These organizations have been provided feedback to consider as they move forward with completing their accreditation Self Studies over the next calendar year.

WANTED: 2012 Student Leader Award Nominees

noemail@weainfo.org — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 20:00:00 GMT

For the second time in the six year history of the Student Leader Award, the Board of Trustees, Special Events Committee, and WEA National Office are asking YOU to submit your nomination for this special honor.

The process to choose the Student Leader Award winner will be two-fold:

1. Nominations for the Student Leader Award will be accepted until Nov. 28 , 2011

2. The Special Events Committee will place all elegible nominations up for vote on the WEA site - voting will be open from Dec. 5, 2010 to Dec. 16, 2011.

Please double check that the student you nominate meets the award criteria below:

Student Leader is actively enrolled in the International Registry of Outdoor Leaders.
Student Leader has contributed significantly to the success of the outdoor leadership within her or his Affiliate.
Student Leader has benefited the WEA through volunteer service (conference, journal, committees, etc.).

CLICK HERE TO SUBMIT YOUR STUDENT NOMINATION!

JOREL Volume 3(3) Published

noemail@weainfo.org — Mon, 31 Oct 2011 12:00:00 GMT

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 10/30/11 CONTACT: Dr. Andrew Bobilya, Montreat College, Editor-in-Chief (828) 669-8012 ext. 3412 / Email: abobilya@montreat.edu www.ejorel.com Journal of Outdoor Recreation, Education, and Leadership publishes Volume 3(3) Bowling Green, Ky.The Western Kentucky University Research Foundation, the Association of Outdoor Recreation and Education; and the Wilderness Education Association are pleased to announce publication of Volume 3(3) of the Journal of Outdoor Recreation, Education, and Leadership. The Journal of Outdoor Recreation, Education, and Leadership publishes quality manuscripts to disseminate the latest knowledge related to outdoor recreation, education, and leadership to help develop theory and practice. The journal seeks quantitative and/or qualitative research findings; conceptual or theoretical discussions; or program practices. Relevant topic areas (centered on outdoor recreation, outdoor education, or...

IROL Enrollment Open to the Public!

noemail@weainfo.org — Wed, 19 Oct 2011 18:00:00 GMT

The WEA Board of Trustees approved a motion to open the enrollment for the International Registry of Outdoor Leaders (IROL). This means that individuals with no affiliation to a WEA accredited organization can now obtain an IROL portfolio on their own. Until now, individuals seeking entrance into the IROL had to go through a WEA accredited organization to gain access to the IROL and begin their portfolio. This meant they had to call or email different representatives until they found a program that would work with them on their portfolio which has proven to be a difficult venture.

Because most WEA accredited institutions are

academic programs, representatives did not have the time or resources to work with so many individuals seeking a non-academic route into the IROL. Opening the enrollment process allows individuals to apply for an IROL membership and begin developing their portfolio prior to finding an accredited institution to review their portfolio for OL certification. This is espcially beneficial to individuals who are currently working in the outdoor leadership industry and have a host of outdoor leadership training and experiences from which to draw up on to populate their portfolio.

At any point a person in the IROL wishes to apply for Outdoor Leader Certification, they now have the opportunity to share their IROL portfolio with representatives at WEA accredited organizations for review. This allows accredited institutions to compare the individual's portfolio with the portfolio requirements of their institution and determine if that person has fulfilled the portfolio requirements or identify areas for improvement in the portfolio.

Opening access for individuals to have IROL portfolios broadens the reach of the WEA and encourages a wider range of outdoor professionals to begin maintaining a professional portfolio and provides them a structured place to document their proficiency and field experience. Though access to personal portfolios is now open, Outdoor Leadership Certification can only be authorized by a WEA Outdoor Leader Accredtied organization.

2nd annual Outdoor Leadership Program Symposium 'Call for Abstracts'

noemail@weainfo.org — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 17:19:01 GMT

2012 National Conference on Outdoor Leadership Estes Park, Colorado February 18-21, 2012 Submissions to the 2nd annual Outdoor Leadership Program Symposium (OLPS) are now being accepted. OLPS is intended to provide a forum for practitioners and scholars to share issues and tips for programs in the outdoor field. The symposium will be held in conjunction with the International Conference on Outdoor Leadership, sponsored annually by the Wilderness Education Association (WEA). Why participate in the Outdoor Leadership Program Symposium? With the move to conference workshop tracks focusing on WEA's six core competencies, we wanted to provide an appropriate place and format for institutions to share their programmatic experiences and successes. We know there are many great programs out there who implement things differently. It is important that we provide an opportunity to provide opportunities to share among peer professionals. Programs have a...

Outdoor Leadership Research Symposium Call for Abstracts

noemail@weainfo.org — Wed, 21 Sep 2011 00:00:00 GMT

CALL FOR ABSTRACTS for the 4th Annual Outdoor Leadership Research Symposium (OLRS) at the 2012 International Conference on Outdoor Leadership Estes Park, Colorado February 18-21, 2012 Submissions to the 4th annual Outdoor Leadership Research Symposium (OLRS) are now being accepted. OLRS is intended to provide a forum for practitioners and scholars to share recent and on-going research related to outdoor leadership. The symposium is being held in conjunction with the International Conference on Outdoor Leadership, sponsored annually by the Wilderness Education Association (WEA). The goal of this symposium is to help promote the development of evidence-based practice in the field of outdoor leadership. Submissions will be blind peer-reviewed and judged according to their relevance to the field of outdoor leadership as well as the basic quality of the research conducted. Presenters will have 15 minutes to present their research,...

Presidents Report

noemail@weainfo.org — Wed, 29 Jun 2011 20:00:00 GMT

Dear WEA Members, It is truly an honor to serve as the new president of the board of trustees of the Wilderness Education Association. As a board member for the past several years it has been a real pleasure to have even a small part in important recent developments. I have been especially honored to serve with such a great group of professionals. I became a member of WEA in 1987 and have observed the development of professional outdoor leadership certification for almost a quarter of a century. In those twenty-five years, outdoor leadership has become increasingly diversified. Special interest organizations and trade groups have grown up around the adventure specialties that have emerged. WEA, however, continues to be the consistent voice advocating for professionalization of outdoor leaders. The continuing development and refinement of curriculum standards for the preparation of outdoor leadership professionals forms the core of the WEA mission....

WEA loses non-profit status with IRS

noemail@weainfo.org — Sat, 25 Jun 2011 21:00:00 GMT

WEA Members, Last week, the Internal Revenue Service posted a list of approximately 275,000 organizations that have officially lost their non-profit status with the IRS. The Wilderness Education Association was among those organizations listed. Why did this happen? In 2006 Congress passed the Pension Protection Act requiring most tax-exempt organizations to file anannual information return or notice with the IRS. Within this law it was written that organizations that have not filed their annual returns for three years in a row will automatically lose their tax exempt status. It was brought to the attention of the WEA that the association was in jeopardy of losing tax exempt status in late September due to a lack of filing form 990 from 2007-2009. Immediate action was taken with the WEA's accounting firm to reconcile the issue and all forms were submitted by the October 15,, 2010 deadline. The months following foun the WEA's tax forms for 2008...

Board of Trustees Roster

noemail@weainfo.org — Sun, 19 Jun 2011 21:00:00 GMT

This roster along with the WEA Bylaws and Board of Trustees Job Descriptions are available at www.weainfo.org/board/ Current Board of Trustees Roster: Executive Committee President: Mike McGowan (ml-mcgowan@wiu.edu) Vice President: Chris Pelchat (cpelchat@ithaca.edu) Treasurer: Jerel Cowan (JCowan2@uco.edu) Secretary: JD Tanner (tannerj@sanjuancollege.edu) Organizational Representative: Hugh Gibson (hughgibson@missouristate.edu) Members at Large/Committee Chairs Kelli McMahan - Curriculum Committee (Kelli_McMahan@baylor.edu) Rachel Collins - Research Committee (rhcollins@gmail.com) Kim Collins- Events Committee (kacollin@indiana.edu) Tim Street - Promotions Committee (tstreet@indiana.edu) Accreditation Council Liaison: Vice President

Fri, 27 Jan 2012 21:22:49 GMT

WEA Board of Trustees

Fri, 27 Jan 2012 21:21:09 GMT

2012 Elections Nominations Due by February 13, 2012 Click Here for Details Board of Trustees Roster Board of Trustees Job Descriptions Organizational Bylaws Current Board of Trustees Roster: Executive Committee President: Mike McGowan (ml-mcgowan@wiu.edu) Vice President: Chris Pelchat (cpelchat@ithaca.edu) Treasurer: Jerel Cowan (JCowan2@uco.edu) Secretary: JD Tanner (tannerj@sanjuancollege.edu) Organizational Representative: Hugh Gibson (hughgibson@missouristate.edu) Members at Large/Committee Chairs Kelli McMahan - Curriculum Committee (Kelli_McMahan@baylor.edu) Rachel Collins - Research Committee (rhcollins@gmail.com) Kim Collins- Events Committee (kacollin@indiana.edu) Tim Street - Promotions Committee (tstreet@indiana.edu) Accreditation Council Liaison: Vice President Board of Trustees...

Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics

Fri, 27 Jan 2012 21:19:28 GMT

The Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics is an international nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting and inspiring responsible outdoor recreation through education, research and partnerships. In 2005 the WEA was selected to be one of five providers of the Master Educator Course. Since that time we have offered courses across the country from Washington to Utah to Indiana and have graduated over 70 Master Educators. 2012 Master Educator Courses Dates Location Offered by Course Info Jan 3-7 Big Bend, Tx Baylor University http://www.weainfo.org/en/cev/359 February Shawnee National Forest Western Kentucky University Course Closed to the Public ...

2012 Board of Trustees Nominations and Election

Fri, 27 Jan 2012 17:58:03 GMT

The Wilderness Education Association invites you to consider becoming a candidate for the 2012 Board of Trustees Elections. WEA Board members play a crucial role for the association and are entrusted to provide direction and support towards the mission and vision of the association. With the move to Accreditation the Board of Trustees is seeking highly motivated individuals that are willing to step up and serve during this important time for the association. BOT Function and Responsibility Candidate Eligibility Candidacy Submission Open Seats and Elections BOT Function and Responsibility The Board of Trustees works closely with the WEA National Office and the Executive Director to ensure that the operations and direction of the association are in line with the mission and vision. Board members serve a three year term, meeting monthly via teleconference and twice annually in person, once at the National Conference on...

Travel and Lodging

Mon, 16 Jan 2012 19:39:53 GMT

Goodshop Your Travel Getting Here Lodging Helpful Links GOODSHOP your flight and rental car and a percentage of your purchase will be donated to the WEA! Go to www.goodsearch.com Enter the Wilderness Education Association as your cause Shop WEA receives a donation! WEA's Favorite.... Book your flight and rental car with Trip Mama Trip Mama will donate 25% of your purchase to the WEA! Find your flight Find a rental car Getting to the YMCA of the Rockies Driving: Plug this address into mapquest or your GPS and we'll see you there! 2515 Tunnel Road Estes Park, CO 80511 Flying Make Denver International Airport (DEN) your final destination. Shuttle Once you make it to DEN, you can take the shuttle (http://www.estesparkshuttle.com/shuttle.cfm)...

Fri, 13 Jan 2012 22:52:01 GMT

Mark your calendars for February 18-21, 2012

Conference Details

PRE-CONFERENCE REGISTRATION IS ONLINE - NEW!

Online Registration Available Here

Exhibitors Register Here

Service Crew Applications Now Available

2012 ICOL Workshops

Thu, 12 Jan 2012 16:13:09 GMT

The International Conference on Outdoor Leadership offers a variety of presentation and learning opportunities. Each different type of workshop or presentation serves a specific function within the event. Details and Call for Proposals Pre-Conference Workshops Workshop Tracks Outdoor Leadership Research Symposium Outdoor Leadership Program Symposium Student Presentations Pre-Conference workshops dig deeper into outdoor leadership issues and topics. Workshops can be classroom or field based and can offer external certificates or be related to the WEA core competency curriculum components. WILD about Nature: Fun Kid-Friendly Activities for Outdoor Professionals (Project WILD) Full day Saturday February 18th $30 Members / $35 Non-Members Snow Skills for the Mountains Full day Saturday February 18th $155 Members / $175...

Registration

Tue, 20 Dec 2011 18:30:21 GMT

Early Registration Deadline: January 2 Click Here to Register! Please contact the WEA National Office if you..... need an invoice need to register more than one WEA member have any questions WEA members: Please log in to the website (Site Log In) and ensure that your membership and contact information is up to date. Not a WEA member? We have a membership option to fit your needs. Apply today! Pre-Conference Workshop Registration (coming soon) Refund Policy If you need to cancel your conference registration, please contact the WEA National Office. All conference registrations are subject to the following cancelation policy: Prior to December 16, 2011 = 80% refund ...

2012 International Conference on Outdoor Leadership

Tue, 20 Dec 2011 18:29:22 GMT

Deadline Extensions! Early Registration Deadline Extended to January 2 Call for Proposal Extension: Workshop Tracks: [Jan 2] About Schedule Workshops & Symposiums Registration Sponsors and Exhibitors Scholarships and Service Crew Travel and Lodging Want the latest ICOL news? 'Like' us on Facebook and keep up to date with the latest conference news! (function(d, s, id) { var js, fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0]; if (d.getElementById(id)) {return;} js = d.createElement(s); js.id = id; js.src = //connect.facebook.net/en_US/all.js#appId=238087862910202&xfbml=1; fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js, fjs); }(document, 'script', 'facebook-jssdk')); Not on Facebook? We have a facebook feed on...

Southern Illinois University Carbondale

Fri, 09 Dec 2011 20:33:30 GMT

Whitney Ward

Deptartment of Health Education & Recreation

Mailcode 4632

Carbondale, IL 62901-4632

P: 618.453.4331

E: wward@siu.edu

Outdoor Leader Accredited

Check out some of our adventures at www.dropshots.com/siuwea

or follow us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/pages/SIUC-Outdoor-Recreation-Studies/116679361769774

2010 National Conference on Outdoor Leadership Evaluation

noemail@weainfo.org — Sun, 21 Feb 2010 13:00:00 GMT

Objectives:

This survey is for attendees of the 2010 National Conference on Outdoor Leadership held in Estes Park, Colorado.

Results will be compiled by the friendly staff of the WEA National Office and shared with the Events Committee, PRCA and WEA Board of Trustees, and YMCA of the Rockies representatives.

Thank you for attending this year in Estes Park and for taking the time to offer us your feedback!

Release Date: 21-Feb-10 8:00 AM
Expiration Date: 19-Mar-10 11:45 PM

The 2010 National Conference on Outdoor Leadership Evaluation is intended for our attendees to provide us with feedback on how we can make next year's event even better. Please take a few moments to fill out the online survey, it won't take long.

This survey will be open until March 19th 2010 at 11:45pm (EST). Each person may submit only one survey. Thank you for participating.

Where are you going?

noemail@weainfo.org — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 15:30:00 GMT

Objectives:

This is just a quick survey we're sending out to our non-renewing members to see why they decided to forgo renewing their membership and, if there is anything we can do to reel them back in!

Release Date: 29-Apr-09 11:30 AM
Expiration Date: 28-Jul-11 11:30 AM
Please answer the following questions

2009 Conference Evaluation

noemail@weainfo.org — Wed, 11 Feb 2009 14:00:00 GMT

Objectives:

This survey is intended for those individuals who attended the 2009 National Conference on Outdoor Leadership held in Bloomington, Indiana.

Results will be compiled by the WEA National Office and shared with the Events Committee, PRCA and WEA Board of Trustees, and Venue representatives.

Thank you for attending this year in Bloomington and for taking the time to offer us your opinions!

Release Date: 11-Feb-09 9:00 AM
Expiration Date: 28-Feb-09 10:00 PM

This conference evaluation survey is intended for any attendee at the 2008 National Conference on Outdoor Leadership. Please take a few moments to fill out the online survey for the 2008 National Conference on Outdoor Leadership.

We value your feedback as a conference attendee. Your responses are important to us and will be carefully considered in the planning of future WEA conferences and events. Let us know what we did well and what we can change to improve your next conference experience.

This survey will be open until February 28th, 2008 at 10:00 PM EST. Each person may submit one survey. Thank you for participating.

2009 Pre Conference Workshop Evaluation

noemail@weainfo.org — Mon, 09 Feb 2009 14:00:00 GMT

Objectives: The purpose of this survey is to gain feedback on all pre-conference workshops in order to continue to improve our pre-confference workshop offerings, to ensure that relevant content is being offered and ultimately to enhance the professionalism of the National Conference on Outdoor Leadership in future years.

Release Date: 9-Feb-09 9:00 AM
Expiration Date: 20-Feb-09 11:00 PM

Please fill out the pre-conference workshop evaluation. Results will be tabulated by the WEA National Office and shared with the pre-conference workshop coordinator, instructors and events committee so that we can continue to improve upon our pre-conference workshop offerings at future conferences.

This evaluation submssion deadline has been extended to 11:00pm on Friday, February 20th (This Friday!). Your feedback is critical to the success of future conferences and we look forward to hearing what you have to say!

We look forward to seeing you again next year in Estes Park!

WEA National Office Staff

Non-Conference Attendee Survey

noemail@weainfo.org — Wed, 20 Feb 2008 14:00:00 GMT

Objectives: To gain insight from non-attendees on how to make the National Conference on Outdoor Leadership a more marketable event.

Release Date: 20-Feb-08 9:00 AM
Expiration Date: 30-Mar-08 9:00 PM

This survey is intended for those individuals who did not attend the 2008 National Conference on Outdoor Leadership.

Please take a few moments to answer a few questions about why you did not attend the 2008 Conference. Your feedback is important and will be carefully considered as we work to improve the National Conference on Outdoor Leadership.

2008 National Conference on Outdoor Leadership - Evaluation

noemail@weainfo.org — Mon, 18 Feb 2008 13:00:00 GMT

Objectives:

To gain attendee perspective on the operations, programming and value of the 2008 National Conference on Outdoor Leadership.

Release Date: 18-Feb-08 8:00 AM
Expiration Date: 30-Mar-08 10:00 PM

We value your feedback as a conference attendee. Your responses are important to us and DO make a difference in the planning of future WEA conferences and events. Let us know what we did well and what we can change to improve your next conference experience.

This survey will be open until March 30, 2008 at 10:00 PM EST. Each person may submit one survey. Thank you for participating.

Stakeholder Perspectives of the WEA Curriculum

noemail@weainfo.org — Fri, 20 Apr 2007 15:00:00 GMT

Objectives: Gain insight into various stakeholder's perspectives of the WEA Curriculum.

Release Date: 20-Apr-07 11:00 AM
Expiration Date: 18-Jul-07 1:00 PM

The Wilderness Education Association Curriculum Committee invites you to complete a brief questionnaire designed to gauge stakeholder perspectives of the current WEA Curriculum. As a valued member of the WEA, your input on curricular initiatives is very important to us. The results from the questionnaire will assist us in building the strongest possible curriculum consistent with the WEA's mission, vision, and stance on outdoor leader preparation.

YOUR CANDID RESPONSES ARE VALUABLE AND ARE APPRECIATED.

Questions 1-5 deal with OUTCOMES
Questions 6-11 deal with IMPLEMENTATION
Questions 12-17 deal with SUPPORT MATERIALS
Questions 18-23 deal with SUBJECT MATTER
Questions 24-30 deal with STRUCTURE

I believe that there is a subtle magnetism in Nature, which, if we unconsciously yield to it, will direct us aright.

Mon, 22 Oct 2007 19:13:51 GMT

I believe that there is a subtle magnetism in Nature, which, if we unconsciously yield to it, will direct us aright.

Henry David Thoreau

Never mistake knowledge for wisdom. One helps you make a living, the other helps you make a life.

Mon, 22 Oct 2007 18:57:16 GMT

Never mistake knowledge for wisdom. One helps you make a living, the other helps you make a life.

Sandra Carey

If we could sell our experiences for what they cost us, we'd all be millionaires.

Mon, 22 Oct 2007 18:53:51 GMT

If we could sell our experiences for what they cost us, we'd all be millionaires.

Abigail van Buren

Rules are for fools &

Fri, 17 Nov 2006 16:00:47 GMT

"Rules are for fools"

Paul Petzoldt

PC310094

Mon, 06 Feb 2012 01:20:03 GMT