Outdoor Adventure Education

Alan Ewert, PhD, is a distinguished and titled professor at Indiana University. He holds the Patricia and Joel Meier Endowed Chair in Outdoor Leadership and served as the editor of the Journal of Experiential Education. He was the 1996 recipient of the Reynold E. Carlson Award for Distinction in Outdoor Environmental Education; the 2002 recipient of the J.B. Nash Scholar Award through the American Association for Leisure and Recreation; the 2005 recipient of the Julian W. Smith Award through the American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance; and the 2013 Association of Experiential Education's Distinguished Researcher. A prolific scholar, Ewert has published articles in a variety of journals and books related to outdoor leadership and recreation. He continues his professional service through numerous venues, including his status as a fellow and past president of the Academy of Leisure Sciences and one of the founding editors of the International Journal of Wilderness. Dr. Ewert also serves as a course director and instructor for Outward Bound and the Wilderness Education Association. Jim Sibthorp, PhD, is associate professor and the coordinator of Adventure and Outdoor Programs in the department of parks, recreation and tourism at the University of Utah. He has written numerous publications in adventure-based programming and outdoor adventure education. Much of his current research stems from partnerships with the National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS) and the American Camp Association. He has served the profession in many ways, including as co-chair of the NRPA Leisure Research Symposium, an editorial advisor for the Journal of Experiential Education, and an associate editor of Leisure Sciences and Research in Outdoor Education. He served on the research committees for Outward Bound and the Coalition for Education in the Outdoors. He is an active field instructor with NOLS, and he has received numerous awards, including Indiana University's Eppley Alumni Award and the University of Utah College of Health Distinguished Mentor Award for his work with graduate students.

Part I Foundations Chapter 1. Overview of Outdoor Adventure Education Defining Adventure Defining Outdoor Adventure Education Types of Definitions Evidence, Design, and Implementation Summary Issues for Further Discussion Chapter 2. History of Outdoor Adventure Education Early Explorers and Adventure Seekers Exploration and the Quest for Adventure Adventure in Transition The Concepts of Leisure and Recreation The Advent of Adventure Recreation Formalized Schools of Adventure Education Summary Issues for Further Discussion Chapter 3. Outdoor Adventure in Contemporary Practice Programs and Practice Components of the OAE Experience Philosophical Basis The Adventure Progression Summary Issues for Further Discussion Chapter 4. Managing Motivation, Risk, Fear, and Stress Motivations in OAE Risk and Risk Taking Fear in OAE Summary Issues for Further Discussion Part II Theory Chapter 5. Theoretical Constructs Used in Outdoor Adventure Education Theory and Model Development Dissecting the Concept of Theory Models in Outdoor Adventure Education Summary Issues for Further Discussion Chapter 6. Extant Theories and Key Constructs in Outdoor Adventure Education Promising Explanatory Frameworks Key Theories Key Learning Constructs Summary Issues for Further Discussion Chapter 7. Development Across the Life Span Youth and Adolescents Emerging Adults Adults Older Adults Additional Views of Human Development Summary Issues for Further Discussion Part III Research Chapter 8. Evaluation Research Common Purposes of Evaluation Case Study: The WRMC Incident Reporting Database Common Evaluation Techniques Alternative Evaluations: Best Practices and Benchmarking Common Limitations Summary Issues for Further Discussion Chapter 9. Outcomes of Participation Common Participation Outcomes Program Qualities Summary Issues for Further Discussion Chapter 10. State of OAE Research The Role of Research Early Research in OAE OAE Research Matures Current Trends Summary Issues for Further Discussion Chapter 11. Improving Research Challenges in OAE Research Strengthening Research Summary Issues for Further Discussion Chapter 12. Evolving Trends and Issues Changing Levels and Types of Use Impacts of Technology Changing Values Consumerism Future Challenges Summary Issues for Future Discussion