Overall class purpose: design and facilitation of outdoor education experiences.
Outdoor education is "education in or about the out-of-doors'". So classic environmental interpretation is 'about the out-of-doors' whereas adventure education and camp programs focus more on the 'in' the outdoors - using experiential education programs to impact people with life changing programs in
- youth development
- leadership development
- team development
The class looks at program theories in nature interpretation, school based outdoor education, adventure education, and organized camps (the four biggest program traditions in outdoor ed). We explore classic wilderness adventure, outdoor schools, resident camps, nature interpretation walks, ropes courses, and board room/corporate experiential stuff that has its roots in adventure education (a bit of an oxymoron for 'outdoor ed' since it's mostly in-doors).
So bottom line - a great class because we learn mostly by doing (experiential ed) more than talking about it. Students develop skills as program designers or educators - those practical life long skills which bring you success in any endeavor.
The class is great for serious outdoor educator types and also very valuable for anyone interested in youth development or leadership development in general.
What about the 'class schedule ala Covid format'??
There is a required field trip to Sequoia National Park on October 15-17 for doing the nature interpretation program assignments plus a special 'adventure'.
On campus meetings will be about every 3 weeks a face to face meeting do practice small group 'facilitation skills'
The class will be managed through the canvas site so students should go to canvas.csun.edu for up-to-date class info. This introduction page is for preliminary information on the course.
Questions: email me at alan.wright@csun.edu
P.S. - there is a fair amount of work in the class but with great rewards. _______________________________________________________________________________________
