Wilderness Education Association RSS Feed

Wilderness First Responder

Fri, 12 Mar 2010 14:00:00 GMT

Wilderness First Responder
Start Date: 12-Mar-10 8:00 AM
End Time: 16-Mar-10 5:30 PM
Location: Westminster College, East Salt Lake City, UT 84105
Event Details:

Certification is through
the Wilderness Medicine Training Center (WMTC)

The Wilderness First Responder course has been designed specifically to meet the needs of wilderness guides, expedition leaders, and outdoor instructors. It is the outdoor education and recreation industry's standard for wilderness medical training. It is the wilderness medicine training course for outdoor professionals...and the course you want your friends to have taken before you travel with them. The course includes WMTC adult CPR & AED certification.

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

Cost is $450 before January 30th; $495 after.

Click here to download a registration form

Westminster College

1840 South 1300

East Salt Lake City, UT 84105

Wilderness EMT Module

Fri, 12 Mar 2010 14:00:00 GMT

Wilderness EMT Module
Start Date: 12-Mar-10 8:00 AM
End Time: 16-Mar-10 5:30 PM
Location: Westminster College, East Salt Lake City, UT 84105
Event Details:

Certification is through
the Wilderness Medicine Training Center (WMTC)

The WMTC Wilderness EMT Module has been designed to meet the needs of experienced medical practitioners who are practicing their skills as ski patrollers, SAR team members, expedition medics, etc. Participants must be a licensed EMT (basic, intermediate, or paramedic) with patient care experience. Nurses, physicians, or veterinarians may also attend but will receive a completion card in lieu of certification and may be eligible for CEU. Similar to a WFR, the WEMT Module focuses on assessment and treatment of traumatic, environmental, and medical emergencies in a wilderness environment. The skills taught during our WEMT Module may be applied directly to situations where prolonged EMS transport is unavoidable (e.g.: disaster relief, interface with local SAR units, rural EMS calls, etc.)

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

Cost is $450 before December 15th; $495 after.

Click here to download a registration form

Westminster College

1840 South 1300

East Salt Lake City, UT 84105

Wilderness First Responder

Sat, 13 Mar 2010 14:00:00 GMT

Wilderness First Responder
Start Date: 13-Mar-10 8:00 AM
End Time: 21-Mar-10 5:30 PM
Location: Texas Tech University, Junction, TX
Event Details:

Cost is $495 before February 25; $525 after.

Tuition includes camping.

Click here to download a registration form

Texas Tech University

Wilderness First Responder

Wed, 24 Mar 2010 12:00:00 GMT

Wilderness First Responder
Start Date: 24-Mar-10 8:00 AM
End Time: 1-Apr-10 5:30 PM
Location: Outward Bound ~ Odin Falls Basecamp, Redmond, OR 97756
Event Details:

Certification is through
the Wilderness Medicine Training Center (WMTC)

The Wilderness First Responder course has been designed specifically to meet the needs of wilderness guides, expedition leaders, and outdoor instructors. It is the outdoor education and recreation industry's standard for wilderness medical training. It is the wilderness medicine training course for outdoor professionals...and the course you want your friends to have taken before you travel with them. The course includes WMTC adult CPR & AED certification.

WFR, course materials, lunch, & snacks

Cost is $550 before February 1st; $600 after.

WFR, camping, showers, all meals, & snacks

Cost is $650 before February 1st; $750 after.

Click here to download a registration form

Outward Bound ~ Odin Falls Basecamp

70,000 NW 83rd Street

Redmond, OR 97756

Wilderness First Responder

Sat, 27 Mar 2010 14:00:00 GMT

Wilderness First Responder
Start Date: 27-Mar-10 8:00 AM
End Time: 31-Mar-10 5:30 PM
Location: Boise State University, Boise, ID 83725
Event Details:

Boise State University

1910 University Drive

Boise, ID 83725

Wilderness EMT Module

Sat, 27 Mar 2010 14:00:00 GMT

Wilderness EMT Module
Start Date: 27-Mar-10 8:00 AM
End Time: 31-Mar-10 5:30 PM
Location: Boise State University, Boise, ID 83725
Event Details:

Boise State University

1910 University Drive

Boise, ID 83725

Wilderness First Aid

Fri, 09 Apr 2010 14:00:00 GMT

Wilderness First Aid
Start Date: 9-Apr-10 8:00 AM
End Time: 11-Apr-10 5:30 PM
Location: Southwest Rescue, Durango, CO 81301
Event Details:

Certification is through
the Wilderness Medicine Training Center (WMTC)

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 $250

Click here to download a registration form

Southwest Rescue

67 Aspen Drive-Aspen Trails

Durango, CO 81301

Wilderness First Aid

Fri, 16 Apr 2010 13:00:00 GMT

Wilderness First Aid
Start Date: 16-Apr-10 8:00 AM
End Time: 18-Apr-10 5:30 PM
Location: University of Michigan Outdoor Adventures, Ann Arbor, MI 48104
Event Details:

University of Michigan Outdoor Adventures

336 Hill Street

Ann Arbor, MI USA 48104

Wilderness EMT Module

Wed, 28 Apr 2010 14:00:00 GMT

Wilderness EMT Module
Start Date: 28-Apr-10 8:00 AM
End Time: 2-May-10 5:30 PM
Location: Southwest Rescue, Durango, CO 81301
Event Details:

Southwest Rescue

67 Aspen Drive-Aspen Trails

Durango, CO 81301

Wilderness First Responder

Wed, 28 Apr 2010 14:00:00 GMT

Wilderness First Responder
Start Date: 28-Apr-10 8:00 AM
End Time: 2-May-10 5:30 PM
Location: Southwest Rescue, Durango, CO 81301
Event Details:

Southwest Rescue

67 Aspen Drive-Aspen Trails

Durango, CO 81301

Newsletter from the Wilderness Education Association

National Office WEA — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 17:06:34 GMT

Happy New Year [firstname]!

With the aughts behind us, Mary Jessie and I have been busy tackling some exciting developments at the National Office and breaking into the new decade with a truckload of enthusiasm. That said, there are several good things coming to you in our first newsletter of the decade!

First, the National Office has successfully moved across campus into our plush new offices alongside Indiana University Outdoor Adventures. We have beautiful new office donning expansive windows, handmade upcycled office furnishings, and a storage space that is the envy of even the most content non-profit administrator. Click on the link to the press release that has all the details.

Attention DIYer's, Hobbyists, and consumers tired of paying way too much money on outdoor gear and clothing- we have just the news for you. Our DIY Custom Equipment Pre Conference Workshop is back again this year. And they're ready to tackle the most intimidating projects with some thread, a handful of sewing machines, and guidance from our knowledgeable instructors. We need to meet the minimum numbers of registration by February 1st, so don't hesitate to sign up!

Are you in need of a room or rideshare for the 2010 National Conference on Outdoor Leadership. If so, you might want to check out the discussion board we have created on the website just for this purpose!

Conference Info and Reminders:

Register for Pre-Conference workshops today (Workshops Must reach minimum enrollment by Feb 1 to ensure that they are able to go!)

Pre Conference Workshops (1 day)

Ice Climbing

Winter Travel Skills for Outdoor Educators

Worst Case Survival Skills: What To Do When Technology Fails

Pre Conference Workshops (2 day)

WEA Instructor Training Clinic
DIY Custom Equipment
Interactive Course Area Guides

Have a great week and a the start of a great decade!

Mallory, Mary and Jessie!

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13-Jan-10 12:06 PM

Conference Updates!

National Office WEA — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 19:00:00 GMT

Hello [firstname]!

The holiday season is up on us as we prepare for the upcoming 2010 National Conference on Outdoor Leadership. Co-hosted by the Wilderness Education Association and the Professional Ropes Course Association for the 2nd year in a row, it promises to be another great event! We've included a few reminders about some important dates as well as links to registration for the regular conference and pre-conference workshops.

We look forward to seeing you in Estes Park!

Tentative Conference Schedule Now Available

[Presentation List Coming Soon]

Early Registration Deadline is December 18^th[that is this Friday!]

Register Online Today!

[Please contact the WEA National Office if you need to pay with a check, register multiple people or obtain an invoice]

Pre-Conference Workshops are Posted

1 Day Workshops:

Ice Climbing

Winter Travel Skills for Outdoor Educators

Worst Case Survival Skills: What to do When Technology Fails

2 Day Workshops:

WEA Instructor Training Clinic

DIY Equipment

Interactive course Area Guides

We've got several sponsors signed on in support of the conference and donations for the Kitty Dury Auction and Raffle are coming in daily. Check them out today!

Additional sponsorship opportunities are still available - contact Jessie at the National Office or visit the sponsor page on the website for more information.

Stay up to date with our RSS feeds.

16-Dec-09 2:00 PM

Empowering Partnerships and Wilderness Advocacy

Jennifer Sublett — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 20:00:00 GMT

In the heat of late summer 2007, word came to the Shawnee National Forest in southern Illinois that the nationally known service organization AmeriCorps *NCCC had accepted their proposal for a six week volunteer service project. The project would take place in the Bald Knob/Clear Springs Wilderness on the Shawnee. It would consist of rerouting a dilapidated portion of the River to River Trail, which spans approximately 162 miles from the Ohio River to the Mississippi River. Corps members would work and live alongside Forest Service and University of Illinois Extension representatives for the duration. Backcountry living skills like setting up a tent, digging a cat hole, practicing Leave No Trace, or cooking one-pot meals would be learned and practiced by everyone at the backcountry site. The goal was for each member to learn the ropes of backcountry living and the skills needed to build a section of beautiful trail. The service project would serve the purpose of protecting the integrity of the trail, watershed, and the wilderness experience.

The venture was a success on number of levels. One result was the construction of an impressive full bench cut trail that has since been noted as one of the most awesome aspects of the trail along its span through the Bald Knob/Clear Springs Wilderness. Hikers and equestrians alike appreciate the ease of movement through the switchbacks and climbing turns and the views afforded of the surrounding deep gullies and nearby Hutchins Creek—a designated wild and scenic river candidate.

The six week service project was also successful because it involved a partnering of local volunteer groups.   One significant group is the Southern Illinois Back Country Horsemen (SBCH). Members of the SBCH dedicated their time and resources to the pack-in, restocking of water, and pack-out. While Corps members carried most essential backpacking items on their backs, SBCH utilized their packstock to haul in tents, kitchen items, trail building tools, and storage containers to keep away critters. It was truly a sight to witness the Corps members meet a pack string at the designated campsite and eagerly assist with the unpacking and distribution of camp items—skills that Corps members never expected they would gain before this wilderness experience. Throughout the duration of the service project, SBCH members and Corps members gained knowledge and appreciation for the work and dedication each put into the completion of this wilderness rehabilitation project.

The skills and knowledge that Corps members learned read like a semester-long college course in real life. While these eleven young adults (Corps members) lived and worked in the Bald Knob/Clear Springs Wilderness, they learned the full gamut of back country living skills, the cultural history of the area before it became wilderness in the 1990s, and a new appreciation and understanding of what it means to have a wilderness experience. Specifically, Corps members gained hands-on experience in using a map and compass; hanging a bear rope (not that bears frequent Illinois); survival skills like shelter-building, collecting nuts, taking out small game for food, the rule of threes for basic survival; and environmental education about the immediate area. Additionally, a local volunteer spent time talking with them about the history of the area and what impacts farming and timber harvesting had upon the land. This newly acquired wilderness knowledge fostered a sense of resourcefulness and self-sufficiency. While not every person on that crew loved hard core backcountry living, each embraced it for what it was—an empowering learning experience to be had for the sake of having done it.

Since this first group of AmeriCorps *NCCC visited and made a huge impact on the Shawnee National Forest, a second round of Corps members came to the Shawnee to live and work on another section of the River to River Trail through the Bald Knob/Clear Springs Wilderness in the fall of 2008. The Corps members were different; but the goal remained the same: to be an advocate for the land, live the simple life in a backcountry tent, learn skills and knowledge transferable to other areas of their lives, and take away memories from a once in a lifetime experience.

The Shawnee National Forest and its local partners look forward to a third round with AmeriCorps *NCCC in spring of 2009. Corps members will work in the Lusk Creek Wilderness. Empowerment through partnerships and building a case for wilderness advocacy will continue to be a guiding force.

9-Nov-09 3:00 PM

Journal of the Wilderness Education Association; Volume 21, No 1

National Office WEA — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 19:00:00 GMT

Tendenci Newsletter

Volume 21, Issue No. 1

Editor, Briget Eastep

WEA Mission:

The mission of the WEA is to promote the professionalism

of outdoor leadership through establishment of national standards, curriculum design, implementation, advocacy, and research driven initiatives.

Board of Trustees:

Executive Committee

President:

Chris Pelchat (cpelchat@ithaca.edu)

Vice President:

Mike McGowan (ml-mcgowan@wiu.edu)

Treasurer:

Jackson Wilson (jadwilso@indiana.edu)

Secretary:

Whitney Ward

(wward@siu.edu)

Affiliate Representative: Ivan Bartha (ilbartha@stcloudstate.edu)

Members at Large/Committee Chairs

Ricky Haro Standards Committee (rvharo@gmail.com)

Scott Jordan

Curriculum Committee

(jordans@okstate.edu)

Rachel Collins

Research Committee

(rhcollins@gmail.com)

Kim Collins

Events Committee (kacollin@indiana.edu)

23rd Annual

National Conference

on Outdoor Leadership

February 17-20, 2010

"Risk and Reward:

Protecting What We Value"

Conference Co-hosts:

Presentation Proposals:

Due Nov 16

Outdoor Leadership Research Symposium Abstracts

Due Nov 15

Early Registration Deadline:

December 18th

Sponsorship Opportunities Available!

Keynote Speaker:

Will Gadd

Pre-Conference Workshops: Feb 17-18

Welcome Social:

Feb 18

Main Conference:

Feb 19-20

We'll see you in

Estes Park!

WEA Members:

Check out your membership benefits!

Not a member?

Become one today!

We are pleased to present you with the first online edition of the Journal of the Wilderness Education Association (JWEA). Enjoy!

Volume 21, Issue No.1

JWEA Online: A place to publish for education and inspiration

Author: Briget Eastep

The Journal of the Wilderness Education Association has gone through some significant changes in the past six months. All the changes made are intended to continue serving WEA members in a more efficient and productive manner. In the next few paragraphs I'd like to review the changes as well as remind WEA member of the JWEA's purpose, and how it's a great opportunity for publishing your experiences and ideas. To begin, as you may have noticed, the JWEA is now online. This changes the... [Read Complete Article]

Presidents Report

Author: Chris Pelchat

Hello Affiliates and WEA members, I hope you are all enjoying a wonderful fall. Things have been very busy within the association. The Board of Trustees has been sailing through the WEA strategic plan for two years now and are very pleased about the progress that is being made. http://www.weainfo.org/attachments/wysiwyg/1/WEAStrategicPlan.pdf There are many changes they are getting ready implement within the association starting January 1st , 2010. We are extremely excited about the how... [Read Complete Article]

National Office Update

Author: Mary Williams

Fall is in full gear here in beautiful Bloomington, IN! The trees are in full color right now with red, yellow and orange firing up the streets and trails. With days in the high 50's it is hard to be spending the day in the office. Thank goodness for the weekends! September marked the beginning of Mallory's second year working in the National Office. We are lucky to have such a dedicated hard working individual doing so much good work for the WEA! We are glad to have her around for... [Read Complete Article]

Heroes, Wilderness Medicine, and a Heartfelt Requiem

Author: Steve Spencer

It is a funny thing how our perceptions are oftentimes influenced as we move through life’s journey. People that may seem totally alien to you become friends, mentors, and/or heroes. Exposure to a diverse society makes for a smorgasbord of opportunity and enlivens our journey. In hindsight, I know now that this was why my parents allowed me to choose to attend an inner-city high school. Diversity After spending the previous eight years of schooling in an upper-middleclass and higher... [Read Complete Article]

Towards True Sustainability: Overcoming the Effects of Consumerism in the Outdoor Field, Part III

Author: Paul Van Horn

In the introduction to his iconic work in ecopsychology, Nature and Madness, Paul Shepard asks the question: Why do men persist in destroying their habitat? Although Shephard peered into the deep recesses of the human mind, I’d like approach the issue from the standpoint of more easily accessed mental processes. Two previous articles in this series have addressed the issue of how to reduce impacts related to consumerism in outdoor pursuits. While ideas for how to make changes and an... [Read Complete Article]

Giardia Myth-Buster: How Hearsay and Anecdotal Evidence has Created a False Industry Standard

Author: Erik Schlimmer

There are many things outdoor educators agree on. For example, a warm meal feels great at the end of the day. Cotton fabrics take forever to dry in the field and should thus be avoided. Most small groups generate less impact than large groups do. Mosquitoes and black flies come straight from hell. And, all backcountry water must be treated due to the presence of Giardia, a protozoan that has infested water sources throughout the United States, causing the debilitating gastrointestinal illness... [Read Complete Article]

Just Another Day in Class

Author: Kristen McClay

California Polytechnic State University at San Luis Obispo has a very well known motto, learn by doing. Classes at Cal Poly take a hands on approach to get students involved in their majors; they literally and physically become active within their field of study. The Recreation, Parks, and Tourism Administration Department offers a very unique class, RPTA 112: Parks and Outdoor Recreation. This class has two hours of lab and three hours of lecture each week. However, the lab is not a... [Read Complete Article]

Talking out loud. [Review of Outdoor experiential leadership: Scenarios describing incidents, dilemmas, and opportunities.]

Author: Dene Berman

Outdoor leadership as a field of study is part of the legacy left by Paul Petzoldt (Wagstaff & Cashel, 2001). In the early 1960s, when Paul was the chief instructor for Outward Bound in the United States, he testified at a congressional hearing concerning the Wilderness Act, calling for an educational component of the act (Cassidy, 1995). Although this dream never reached fruition, his goal of teaching outdoor leadership did. In reaching this goal, Petzoldt went on to be a founder of the...[Read Complete Article]

Teton Dreams

Author: Jack Drury

In 1978 a group of aspiring outdoor leaders gathered in Driggs, Idaho to take part in a five-week experiment with legendary wilderness education pioneer Paul Petzoldt. Petzoldt had enticed these young men and women to join him in the first full summer of courses offered by the newly formed Wilderness Use Education Association (WUEA). Among those attending were Gary Anderson an aspiring community college instructor in southern California, Jack Drury an aspiring community college... [Read Complete Article]

If you have an idea for an article or review, check out the submission guidelines and check out past issues of the JWEA!

Stay up to date with our RSS feeds.

2-Nov-09 2:00 PM

Heroes, Wilderness Medicine, and a Heartfelt Requiem

Steve Spencer — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 15:00:00 GMT

It is a funny thing how our perceptions are oftentimes influenced as we move through life’s journey. People that may seem totally alien to you become friends, mentors, and/or heroes. Exposure to a diverse society makes for a smorgasbord of opportunity and enlivens our journey. In hindsight, I know now that this was why my parents allowed me to choose to attend an inner-city high school.

Diversity

After spending the previous eight years of schooling in an upper-middleclass and higher

socio-economic school district, I chose to attend Central High school. There was really no allure to encourage students to attend Central High. This was before the era of Magnet Schools and the athletic programs were average. In fact this was in a time when racial tensions were at an all time high in our community (school days were missed due to race riots) and most families were trying to get out of the CHS district. Great academicians or athletes never moved into the CHS school district. This was indeed a diverse, novel, and foreign setting to me. At Central High a high academic intellect was not the norm. The dropout rate was quite high. Based upon my freshman to senior class matriculation, I would estimate 30% failed to graduate. In a good year, 10% of the student body might have enrolled in college right out of high school. Why, one might ask, would a relatively intelligent (future professor) make such a choice? For me there was never any doubt and the reasoning was simple: I wanted to play football for my foremost hero, the head football coach at CHS: my father.

Upon enrollment, I was immediately named “the cake-eater” by my fellow students. This

Marie Antoinette reference took a while for me to understand, after all, my family was not rich as my parents were both teachers. However, as my friends put it, I had moved from the “rich” side of town and my parents both had jobs. Indeed, this was a different educational setting.

To compound matters, going to a school where your parent is your teacher, mentor, and coach

might best be described as “living in a fishbowl”. I literally could do nothing without my father knowing about it… whether he wanted to or not. For all of the seemingly negative things previously stated, I would not change my choice. The diverse culture allowed me to meet and befriend some great folks and share in numerous experiences that shaped me into what I am and made me mentally tougher. However, my mental toughness was nothing compared to one of my heroes that I met through athletics. This story is really about his survival.

Heroes

Any public high school experience forces a mixing of personalities and cultures. With my

exposure it was obviously the same. One meets and befriends students, teachers, and coaches that all help shape what you become. I look on these people who have impacted my life as mentors or strong influencing factors as heroes. While this might not be a dictionary definition of hero, it works for me. It defines a high school friend that influenced me and has followed an amazing journey as he continues to influence and be successful in virtually every area of his life. His life is a hero’s journey.

It has sometimes been said that opposites attract. Such was the case of one of my high school

friends who evolved into one of my heroes. Mike came from a relatively solid home life by CHS standards. His parents were still together and they had five children. Mike and his two brothers shared a bedroom in a two bedroom apartment with one sister sleeping in the hall, and I believe the other sister was out of the home.

Mike was probably the toughest person, both physically and mentally I have ever met. That is saying quite a lot. You had to be tough to make it in an inner city school in the early 70’s. During my lifetime, I had the pleasure of coaching football for 12 years in programs that sent over 20 football players to the professional ranks and not one of them has ever impressed me with their intestinal fortitude as did Mike. Please allow a few examples.

When Mike was junior in high school, a group of us were camping at a nearby lake. We

separated one evening when Mike met up with a girlfriend. As good friends, the rest of us faded into the sunset so Mike might be alone. The next morning, parents of some of the other group members arrived and asked us where Mike was. We did not know and assumed he had… well, you know what we assumed. It turned out Mike had been in a powerboat wreck. His girlfriend was severely injured, suffering brain damage and Mike had his nose torn off of his face. He still managed to maintain consciousness and aid the rescue of his girlfriend from the sinking boat as well as two other people in the boat. This was four weeks prior to the start of the football season. Mike required extensive plastic surgery to rebuild his face. He recovered and played in the first game, six weeks later! He was a good enough athlete to start on both offense and defense for CHS. However, during the first half of this game, he broke his leg. This was but a minor setback for Mike. Five games later, he had recovered and was able to play the remainder the season. To my knowledge, that was the only injury he ever received in organized athletics.

Mike went on to wrestle in the High School state tournaments and was perhaps the best

wrestler CHS ever had. While in the Navy he represented his brigade and eventually captained his University wrestling team while doing exceptionally well academically. He continued to build his professional resume and completed an MBA at the University of Colorado. Approximately 25 years later, Mike broke his back while snow skiing in whiteout conditions. Of course he healed

up in time to ski before all of the snow had melted. I make reference to Mike’s experiences while “making a long story longer” to illustrate the fact that this guy is no mere mortal. He was ultra tough, both physically and mentally and this same toughness probably saved his life. Does that peak your curiosity to read further?

At one point in his life, I thought Mike was the closest thing to a sociopath I had ever met. His

tough, self-centered attitude and focus on getting ahead seemed very anti-social. He seemed to live by the conceited credo: “If it did not benefit him it was unimportant”. In hindsight, I know I was quick to form opinions and this was one impression that has proved through time to be a poor assessment. Mike’s background and our school community influences shaped him just as they shaped me. His upbringing forced him to be mentally tough and this same mental toughness that drove him to succeed was probably misinterpreted by me. This toughness was not common to his brothers who have struggled with life’s challenges. Throughout his life this drive to succeed and mental toughness has served him well.

Mike has become a very successful businessman. He is the CEO of a multinational software

company and commands a significant salary. An interesting sidelight he shared with me about his success and the people he has hired illustrates his firm belief in mental toughness and how he perceived it is shaped. He searches for employees that have participated in extracurricular activities like intercollegiate athletics as a shaper of mental toughness. Mike looks for and gives preference to college graduates who have had experiences and challenges when hiring. A vast number of his employees competed in intercollegiate athletics and he usually gives those extra curricular experiences greater consideration when hiring. His justification for this stance is that employees who competed in college athletics have been knocked around, chewed out, won, lost, and got back up to continue the pursuit of success. While this opinion is not shared by all, I would expect nothing less from Mike.

Simply put: Mike is one of my heroes. The final segment of this story relates a fascinating

adventure he recently survived. But first, some background on wilderness medicine, outdoor leadership training and how it relates to this story.

Wilderness Medicine & Leadership Training

Outdoor Leadership Experiences provide an excellent laboratory to shape leaders through challenge and the development of mature judgment. The evolving field can be traced through Outward Bound (OB), National Outdoor School (NOLS), and the Wilderness Education Association (WEA) as the leading associations providing this training. The Wilderness Education Association (WEA) certifies and trains outdoor professionals in higher education. The WEA follows a standardized curriculum for training and education of students desiring careers in Outdoor Leadership. This program focuses on the hows and whys of teaching in outdoor settings and is Experiential Education at its finest. A similar provider of outdoor learning with more of a commercial focus is the National Outdoor School (NOLS). Programs with NOLS are not focused so much on teaching but on skill development. Outward Bound, the oldest of the three organizations, focuses on participant teamwork in problem solving for the overall success of the group.

All three organizations (NOLS, OB, WEA) require and provide for nationally recognized Wilderness Medicine courses for their instructors. The primary course is the Wilderness First Responder (WFR). This is a nationally standardized curriculum that focuses on backcountry medicine. The Wilderness First Responder is provided for people who may be employed in outdoor settings where the Golden Hour associated with normal emergency care may become a Golden Day due to the remoteness of location. Leadership positions in outdoor adventure programming activities like backpacking, canoeing, climbing, etc. all require current professionals to have this training. Training is intense and involves multiple scenarios and is truly experiential education.

Wilderness medicine providers are national in scope. Often a wilderness leadership program

will partner with a national wilderness (backcountry) medicine provider for courses. These wilderness medicine providers are nationally recognized entities like Stonehearth Open Learning Opportunities (SOLO) and Wilderness Medical Associates (WMA). Another national provider, presented in the final segment of this document is the Wilderness Medical Institute (WMI) associated with the National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS).

The WFR was developed as result of a need by backcountry participants and has evolved with

the times and research into the expanding field. Backcountry medicine primarily involves minor problems like blisters, poison ivy and sunburn. However, when an emergency occurs, WFR trained students are able to respond and provide aid when needed. In the story that follows, Mike’s son Nick had recently completed the WFR training.

A Heartfelt Requiem

At this point you might ask, “How does all of the above tie together?" It is an eclectic mix and I think the best way to clarify this is illustrated by the letter below from Mike. Mike shared this letter with the author and gave permission for its use, while not really knowing how it would be utilized. After pondering the best way to present his letter, the present document resulted. I felt this was necessary to help the reader understand that this was not “just another climbing story”.

Dear Gary (NOLS Administrator),

Do you ever wonder how many of the skills that get taught in a NOLS course get put into practical use? Well in our case the “payback” was quick.

But first, thank you for your August 18 letter about my son Nick. It was gratifying to hear that he excelled in the NOLS 16 and 17 year old Rock Climbing in the Wind Rivers course. He came back really excited about the course, the staff, fellow climbers and even the food. He had the time of his life and said he would go back in a minute.

We encouraged Nick to attend the course for several reasons. We had always heard good feedback about NOLS and the positive impact a NOLS course can have on a young person’s life. We were most interested in Nick maturing and expanding his teamwork and leadership ability. I was also interested in Nick developing safe climbing skills. I am 53 and have been a recreational climber for over 25 years and in the last few years I have found true joy in being able to go out and climb with my son. Even though my skills have diminished over the years, being out on the rock is still a unique and rewarding experience. It was clear to me that Nick would soon be a much stronger and more aggressive climber then me, and that he needed good instruction in order to remain a safe climber.

What I didn’t anticipate was that the skills he learned in his climbing course would save my life less then 2 weeks after Nick returned from Lander.

Here is the story.

Shortly after Nick returned we planned a Sunday morning outing in Eldorado Canyon. We arrived early at Eldo on August 10^th wanting to get ahead of the weekend crowds and the threatening weather. Our goal was to climb an old favorite, The Bastille Crack, then if the weather held bag another classic. Because we were early we had the crack to ourselves but we were concerned about the dark clouds building to the west. Nick led the first 60 foot pitch and we decided to stop there and set a top rope and practice on a harder route, the Northcutt Start (10d), just to the East of the Bastille Crack while we assessed the weather. We each took a couple of turns top roping on The Northcutt then decided to climb the Bastille Crack despite the still unsettled weather. Nick was climbing better then I had ever seen and he was excited to climb a classic Boulder traditional route.

Nick took the first lead and as planned strung the first two pitches, about 165 feet, of the Bastille Crack together stopping at the 2^nd belay station where there is a good ledge to stand on and an old but solid fixed protection location to belay from. As always, I had “butterflies” in my stomach watching Nick lead. There has always been an internal debate for me about teaching my son to climb...do the many positive aspects of climbing outweigh the risks? Despite the slight reservation I loved to see him gracefully move up the steep classic crack. He looked down a couple of times with that big climber grin we get when every move is clicking and we feel invincible. “Yeah, I own this pitch”.

As I followed his lead I was pleased that Nick’s protection was well placed and had all stayed where he positioned it. I could tell the NOLS training had improved his protection placement skills. When I got to the belay point I was also satisfied to find Nick had clipped into the fixed protection but had also backed up the piton with a solid nut on one side, a solid cam on the other side and equalized all three with a cordellete. The belay anchor looked good and I complimented Nick on a job well done. He looked relaxed and confident.

We discussed whether I would lead the next pitch or let Nick continue to lead. I remember feeling tired and thinking maybe I should just let Nick carry on leading. Maybe I was tired from the top roping or just generally not in good shape. I hadn’t been climbing or training much that summer. But, I remember thinking this is only 5.7 and I had climbed this route many times so it shouldn’t be a problem even if I wasn’t in good form. Also I am sure in the back of my mind I didn’t want my 16 year old son to think the old man was losing his “mojo”. Anyway after a little good natured father son banter he passed me the rack and put me on belay.

I started up the next pitch and got a good piece of protection in about 6 or 8 feet above Nick. Then I moved up the vertical crack another 6 or 8 feet and put a small tri-cam in a horizontal crack. I remember thinking I didn’t like the way the piece looked but I already had my eye on another better placement another few feet up so I didn’t take the time to readjust, replace or backup the piece. I climbed another short section of the crack struggling a little but still focused on getting a good piece in since I was now 15 to 20 feet above Nick. As I was trying to place the new piece I was struggling to keep my left foot sticking on a good sized but down sloping ledge. I thought to myself be careful here that last piece wasn’t very good…”you can’t fall,” I told myself.

On the drive up to Boulder we were talking about the NOLS course Nick had just taken and I asked him what they said about taking a leader fall. He explained, they told him to fall “like a cat”. The last thing I remember before falling was yelling down to Nick to “watch me”. He responded back “don’t worry, I’ve got you dad”. Apparently I didn’t fall like a cat; but I still don’t remember anything about the fall. I must have come off the rock very awkwardly because the next thing I remember is regaining consciousness while lying upside down on the slab 10 feet below the belay ledge. I was looking straight down so the ground 160 feet below looked a long way down. I thought, “So this is what it is like to take a long leader fall”. The top piece did not hold but the first piece held, so I fell past Nick on the belay ledge and hit the deck after a 25-30 foot drop. Nick told me that he had yanked in a handful of rope and braced himself, when I fell, according to his NOLS instruction.

I heard Nick asking if I was alright and as soon as I had caught my breath and got some semblance of a clear head I started working to get myself right side up. My left arm and leg were not cooperating but I managed to hook the rope with my right arm and get myself upright. With help from Nick winching on the rope I got back up to the belay ledge.

Despite being rocked by catching my fall and nervous at seeing me hanging upside down, unconscious and bleeding from my head and arm wounds, Nick didn’t panic. He kept himself safe, and then he helped me get upright and safely back to the belay ledge where he tied me in securely. Step 1 was complete but we were still a long way from the ground and I was obviously injured.

We were discussing our rescue options when a local climber arrived to help. This was very useful because I had dropped the rack in my semi-conscience state, making gear limited. Nick administered some basic first aid. We knew that my arm was broken and I had been unconscious but we felt I was lucid enough to rappel down using the assisting climber’s rope with a back up belay on our rope. I put a good effort into the repel using my uninjured right hand but effectively Nick lowered me 165 feet to a waiting ambulance.

To say I am proud of Nick would be an understatement. His calmness, training and determination saved the day (and our lives). It should also be noted that despite this being planned as an easy outing we did have appropriate safety gear and were both wearing helmets (during the fall my helmet took a hard impact that certainly would have been devastating to me without a helmet). The outcome would have been much worse if Nick had not remembered his training, set up his belay properly and braced himself for the impact. Without Nick it would have been a fatal accident. He was a hero that day but credit also goes to Boulder climbing guide, Jack Roberts who had helped train Nick, his NOLS instructors and other climbers who have taught us safety and technique.

I had surgery that Sunday night at Avista Hospital in Boulder to repair an open fracture on my left arm. Monday afternoon I was transported to St. Anthony’s Hospital in Denver which has a world class orthopedic trauma unit. On Wednesday evening I had a 3 hour operation to repair multiple fractures of my pelvis (acetabulum). The operation installed a plate and 8 screws in the front of my pelvis and seems to have been a success. The following morning I was sitting up and eating breakfast.

However during the procedure surgeons detected another crack in the back of the pelvis that was inaccessible from the front side incision so I had to undergo another surgery Saturday morning to repair that fracture. In a CT scan post op it was discovered that there was a problem with the 2^nd pelvis repair so on Sunday night August 17 they reopened the rear incision to do a third surgery and installed a second and hopefully more solid plate.

So 4 surgeries under general anesthetic in 7 days is a new record for me, which I hope none of you will ever challenge. I expect a full recovery from all injuries and will be skiing this winter and doing some easy climbing next summer.

I hope this story is encouraging to the organizational leadership and course leaders of NOLS. I believe your training made a big difference on that day and will serve Nick well in the future. He later commented that more emphasis on rescue would be a good addition to the course. Please contact me if you would like additional information.

Mike

Conclusion and Author’s note

Just to clarify: As a result of the fall, Mike suffered a concussion and was unconscious for over five minutes. He suffered a compound lower arm fracture. He also had suffered multiple fractures to his pelvis (which eventually had to be rebuilt through the numerous surgeries). Upon regaining consciousness, he repelled 165 feet down a cliff face. One month after his surgeries, Mike suffered through a staff infection which set back his recovery. The fall happened in August of 2008. Mike was snow skiing again before years end, less than five months after the fall. Mike’s mental toughness undoubtedly helped him to survive and continues to be an inspiration. However, his son Nick’s training with both the Wilderness First Responder course and his experiential leadership training with NOLS probably saved his father’s life.

2-Nov-09 10:00 AM

JWEA Online: A place to publish for education and inspiration

briget eastep — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 16:00:00 GMT

The Journal of the Wilderness Education Association has gone through some significant changes in the past six months. All the changes made are intended to continue serving WEA members in a more efficient and productive manner. In the next few paragraphs I'd like to review the changes as well as remind WEA member of the JWEA's purpose, and how it's a great opportunity for publishing your experiences and ideas.

To begin, as you may have noticed, the JWEA is now online. This changes the process of submitting articles, but it also puts all articles into a searchable format on the WEA website. Instead of the editor collecting articles and then formatting them into the JWEA three times a year to be sent out to WEA members and constituents, the process is simpler and more immediate. To submit an article, go to JWEA on WEA's website and simply follow the posted directions under "click here to learn more about online submission". Once you submit an article a JWEA editor will edit it, determine its fit, and "activate" it, putting it live under "Current JWEA Articles." Twice a year articles will be digested into two editions: Fall (Deadline October 1) and Spring (Deadline April 1). A month before these deadlines solicitations for articles will occur - so be ready to share your experiences and knowledge. Moving the JWEA to this format will allow for more up to date articles and will make all articles available in topic searches.

Second, JWEA is now part of ERIC's bibliographic database. ERIC is under the Department of Education and will make JWEA articles available in ERIC's searchable database. This will increase the exposure and utility of JWEA and its authors. The Fall edition, Volume 21 Number 1, will be the first edition submitted to ERIC.

With these changes comes a responsibility for our members. Please contribute high quality articles that will benefit WEA's membership and the field of Outdoor Education. Articles can be educational and/or entertaining. The President and the National Office will continue to contribute their updates , but the meat of JWEA is the articles generated from our members and their students. In the Fall edition, we have articles to inspire us to think about what we do and how we do it. Paul Van Horn completes his three part sustainability series, Kristen McClay shares her experience as a student at Cal-Poly San Luis Ibispo, Erik Schlimmer challenges the industry's water treatment standard, and Jack Drury shares his Teton Dreams. All of these articles work to inspire us, challenge us to consider our practices, or add to our knowledge base. Ultimately, the JWEA is a non-peer reviewed opportunity for WEA members and students to contribute to our field's bibliographic record. Please contribute so that the JWEA may continue educate, challenge, and inspire. To those who have contributed, thank you.

30-Oct-09 12:00 PM

Towards True Sustainability: Overcoming the Effects of Consumerism in the Outdoor Field, Part III

Paul Van Horn — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 20:00:00 GMT

In the introduction to his iconic work in ecopsychology, Nature and Madness, Paul Shepard asks the question: “Why do men persist in destroying their habitat?” Although Shephard peered into the deep recesses of the human mind, I’d like approach the issue from the standpoint of more easily accessed mental processes. Two previous articles in this series have addressed the issue of how to reduce impacts related to consumerism in outdoor pursuits. While ideas for how to make changes and an understanding of the barriers to progress are critical to addressing the issue, actually making the commitment will require a serious look at our own motivations and thought processes. I’d like to suggest we consider some critical paradigm shifts that may help us think differently about the impacts we have on the planet.

Paradigm Shift #1: From Me to We. In other words, get over yourself. We must learn to temper our own desires with the knowledge that everything we do affects the broader ecosphere. This idea forms the basis of many foundational ideas in the sustainability movement, including the Hannover Principles and the Deep Ecology movement (Edwards, 2005). Yes, we should attend to our physical and mental health, and learn to love nature, but we have to do so with constant, rigorous attention to minimizing the impacts we create, and alter our behaviors accordingly.

Paradigm Shift #2: From Them to Me. We must learn to take direct responsibility for the impacts we create instead of trusting a faceless corporation to be green for us so we can conveniently continue business (and shopping) as usual. Make your gear, shop local, do without. If the piles of trash, toxic waste and petroleum (or even “earth-friendly” wind generators) we create through the outsourcing of our impacts began to accumulate in our yards, we’d likely begin to make changes fast.

Paradigm Shift #3: From More to Enough. Cultivate an attitude that what we need in life is abundant, and already at hand rather than an attitude of scarcity and endless desires. As Dan Hoffman, a student at Northland College points out, we must learn to get the job done with greater application of skill rather than more gadgets.

Paradigm Shift #4: From Consumer to Conserver and Producer. Learn to be a producer, or at least a “conserver” instead! Nothing else in a balanced system is merely a “consumer”. Junk and castoff or broken items should be seen as resources and opportunities. Make, give, conserve. Only take when necessary.

Paradigm Shift #5: From Hip to Enduring (or Even Classic!). Take pride in wearing old stuff and resist fashion trends. Today’s cool (or “hip”, “tight”, etc) gear will one day be a source of mirth and amusement, so why even try? Stick with what works!

Only by seriously rethinking our material approach to the outdoors (and everything else in our lives for that matter) will we truly begin to lessen our impact on the planet. We can’t buy our way out of environmental crisis, but we just might be able to think and act our way out. This will of course take discipline and effort to achieve. Laura and Guy Waterman offer this bit of encouragement:

“It is a dismal view of the public to say that we do not have the intelligence and the good conscience to adjust our consumption patterns to what are, in the long-term, the best interests of the human community and the biosphere on which it rests.”

They make it a point to place the responsibility for action squarely in the lap of the public:

“We shall get nowhere in this troubled world as long as we blame our troubles on the tiny minority of corporation executives, whose control over markets I grossly exaggerated, instead of recognizing the responsibility of the entire community to shape its consumption patterns in more environmentally responsible ways…Those who perceive the problem and are roused to do something about it bear a special responsibility. They are the ones who can rouse public consciousness, initiate the needed dialogue, and argue in the public debate for a more rational policy in the long-term, balanced best interests of all concerned. It is they who can speak for the trees” (Waterman, 1993).

It’s time to get serious about reducing our impact on this earth. We work hard to “leave no trace” on the trail. Isn’t it about time we give the same attention to the larger world? So cancel your next trip to the gear store, dust off that wool shirt from the 1970s, resole those leather boots, and hit the nearest trail. After all, the experience is what it’s really about!

References
Edwards, Andres. The Sustainability Revolution: Portrait of a Paradigm Shift. New Society Publishers, Gabriola, Canada. 2005.

Hoffman, Dan. Personal Communication, December 5th, 2008.

Shepard, Paul. Nature and Madness. University of Georgia Press: Athens, Georgia. 1982.

Waterman, Laura and Guy. Wilderness Ethics: Preserving the Spirit of Wildness. The Countryman Press: Woodstock, VT. 1993

29-Oct-09 4:00 PM

Just Another Day in Class

Kristen McClay — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 18:00:00 GMT

California Polytechnic State University at San Luis Obispo has a very well known motto, learn by doing. Classes at Cal Poly take a hands on approach to get students involved in their majors; they literally and physically become active within their field of study. The Recreation, Parks, and Tourism Administration Department offers a very unique class, RPTA 112: Parks and Outdoor Recreation. This class has two hours of lab and three hours of lecture each week. However, the lab is not a “typical” college science lab. Each week, the class of twenty-one students goes to a different park or outdoor setting to learn about a variety of activities. They learn about the outdoor area and activity by actually participating in the activity, like rock climbing, kayaking or trail maintenance. The class also learns about the company or park hosting the event.

Sea Kayaking Anyone?

Loading up my truck with my wetsuit and life jacket, my husband asked me, “Where are you going with that gear, I thought you had class?”

“I am going to class, but not at school. Today we’re going kayaking at San Simeon State Park,” I happily responded.

As I drove up the Pacific Coastal Highway to our class’s meeting point, I couldn’t help but notice the foreboding, grey rain clouds above. Oh well, we’re going to be getting wet anyways.

Our class was going on a kayaking tour with Todd from Sea for Yourself Kayaks at William R. Hearst Memorial State Beach. There were about twelve other students and our teacher, Dr. Goldenberg going on the excursion. Todd made sure everybody was properly outfitted with a life jacket and wetsuit. We all helped each other out, pulling up wetsuits and zipping up the backs. Then, we picked our boats and Todd spent a few minutes going over safety issues and the layout of the tour. We also learned about his business and the partnership he has with the state park.

Some of us were in tandem kayaks, while the rest were in singles. We all carried our kayaks down to the water and Todd helped us push through the surf. Everybody successfully made it through the waves; we were off on our journey!

We navigated around the pilings from the pier; a few accidentally tipped their kayaks over. We looked for sea otters, had splash fights, and talked about the amazing cove.

Then, it began to rain. And it continued to rain throughout the rest of our journey. The wonderful thing was nobody cared. We were too enthralled with paddling through caves, learning about the former whaling harbor, and watching the cormorants and pelicans dive bomb into the water looking for food. We sat in the rain watching the seals, feeling slightly nervous at their large, yellow teeth.

We concluded our trip by riding a wave in, surfing with our kayaks. Boats and paddles went everywhere. Luckily, the waves were small and the water was only knee deep. The rain kept coming down as we changed on shore into our dry clothes. But everybody couldn’t quit smiling as we splashed through the muddy parking lot to our cars. What a great day in class, I wish we could do this every week. Oh wait, we do!

29-Oct-09 2:00 PM

Presidents Report

CHRIS PELCHAT — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 20:00:00 GMT

Hello Affiliates and WEA members,

I hope you are all enjoying a wonderful fall. Things have been very busy within the association. The Board of Trustees has been sailing through the WEA strategic plan for two years now and are very pleased about the progress that is being made.

http://www.weainfo.org/attachments/wysiwyg/1/WEAStrategicPlan.pdf

There are many changes they are getting ready implement within the association starting January 1^st , 2010. We are extremely excited about the how these initiatives will mold the association and our profession.

It is important as members of the WEA to be abreast of these changes and inform yourself to how these impacts will affect you as a Certified Outdoor Leader, an Instructor, and an Affiliate. This is the time to take the initiative to read all the documents thoroughly and ask questions to better clarify the direction we are moving.

Some of the critical changes are below:

The WEA is no longer a course provider

As a WEA member it is important to note that the standard language of WEW, WSP, NSP, PSC, etc. no longer exists. What is still in place is Outdoor Leader Certification. The Board believes that this move will allow for more academic freedom for organizations to build better Outdoor Leader preparation programs giving the association a more diverse constituency from which we can draw best practices from. Affiliates will no longer be bound by specific course structures but by student learning outcomes.

The WEA is now the Accreditation body for Outdoor Leadership Preparation Programs

Although accreditation is not new to the WEA, the way in which we conduct the accreditation process is. We are now requiring a thorough pre-application, which will be reviewed by the Accreditation Counsel for accreditation suitability. Upon acceptance the applicant will conduct a thorough self study. Once the self study is complete it will be reviewed by the Accreditation Counsel. At that point the Counsel will determine the applicants accreditation status. Affiliates will submit annual reports and be reviewed every five years. After the first five year period a site visit will be part of the review. This will be the only mandatory site visit during the accreditation period unless the Counsel request additional visits. For more information on this process and to be apart of the Accreditation Manual review visit (http://www.weainfo.org/member-benefits-details/). We currently have several affiliates going through this process to pilot the manual and provide feedback to the association.

The move to this style of accreditation frees the affiliates from having to submit the majority to the course paperwork to the association. Affiliates will be responsible for quarterly rosters and the rest of the course paperwork will be kept in house for possible review in a style that is suitable for the Affiliate. This also frees up the National Office. Currently more than 50% of the National Office time is spent on course paperwork, which generates no positive revenue for the association. This time will now be allocated to member retention in the hopes to bolster our revenue.

This move was also encouraged by our legal counsel that we sought over the past year. The IU Non-Profit Legal Clinic spent a few months reviewing the operations of the association and the intent to become and accreditating body. They looked at all aspects of the association and did a comparative analysis of comparable organizations to look at the association’s liability exposure. They determined that our current strategic plan was in our best interest and gave us some points to consider as we move forward. This was a very helpful analysis and the IU Non-Profit Legal Clinic should be commended for their work.

The Accreditation process was designed using the standards set forth by the US Department of Education’s guidelines for Specialized Accrediting Agencies. Our hope is to apply for recognition by the US Department of Education within a few years. We believe that this status will greatly assist our non-academic organizations to provide financial assistance to the students in their programs.

Certification is now provided by the Affiliate

This is a very important change. Outdoor Leadership Certification is now awarded through the affiliate. The certification will have the WEA accredited seal on the certification. Once the certification is awarded by the affiliate it is then handed over to the association for continued maintenance via the International Registry of Outdoor Leaders (IROL). The National Office will then begin to track Continuing Education for our Certified Outdoor Leaders in the IROL. The intent of this change is to provide a service to WEA members that is valuable to them as emerging and current professionals and will bolster member retention. In the coming months a Certification Manual is going to be produced and put up for review by the membership. This manual will more thoroughly outline this process.

The road to Certification has changed

Certification has historically been offered at the end of a course to successful graduates. While this is still an option for affiliates the structure has been modified to allow for greater flexibility. Certification is now awarded based on the evaluation of a student portfolio of collected assessments. The Board is currently working with an E portfolio provider to build a system from which these evaluations can happen. This now means that students can work towards Outdoor Leader Certification over an extended period of time and even work with multiple Affiliates to complete different Core Competencies.

The Board believes that this will greatly expand the types of course offerings Affiliates will be able to provide and will encourage students to seek a more diverse experience. It will also allow non traditional students the possibility to work at smaller pieces of it at a time rather than devoting a month straight in the field.

The route to become an Instructor has Changed

Instead of apprenticing a single WEA course and applying for Instructorship to the Standards Committee, the road to becoming listed as an Instructor in the IROL will be shifting. To be listed as an Instructor in the IROL you have to be able to demonstrate several things. The first is acquisition of professional work experience in the field. The second is training and competency in assessment and evaluation of each of the six core competencies. The training and assessment of instructors including their recommendation for Instructor status in the IROLwill be provided by Affiliates that are accredited to our newly developed Instructor Accreditation tier. This new process will also include a path for folks with past experience to challenge their experience against the certification standards and be assessed with out having to go through the traditional instructor training hoops that are often redundant and costly.

The Board believes that these changes are critical for the WEA to provide a platform from which to continue professionalizing the outdoor leadership industry. From the individual portfolios in the IROL, to providing flexible opportunities for curriculum coverage and field time at the Institutional Level, the pieces of the puzzle fit together to allow the future outdoor leadership professionals a more identifiable path to become involved with the WEA, and ultimately begin sustainable accredited programs in a more effectively and comprehensively than we have been able to do in the past.

It is critical that you as a member stay abreast of the changes in the association on multiple fronts. First it will help you stay current with what the association is doing. The WEA has been moving quite well over the past few years and we hope to keep the ball rolling. The second and most important reason to stay breast of the changes is because we would like as much feedback as possible. It is important for the board and the association to hear the questions of the membership so please post to our forums as they come up and let us know what your thinking. Thanks for your time and patience as we make these transitions.

Chris Pelchat

Wilderness Education Association, President

28-Oct-09 4:00 PM

National Office Update

National Office WEA — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 19:00:00 GMT

September marked the beginning of Mallory's second year working in the National Office. We are lucky to have such a dedicated hard working individual doing so much good work for the WEA! We are glad to have her around for another year to provide support for our organization. This fall marked the beginning of my fifth year working for the WEA. It has been an amazing journey and I have watched the Association come a long way. I am excited to continue to be a part of where the WEA is going in the coming year.

There are always more projects and ideas running around this office than we have time to do, so I'll share with you some of the most recent developments.

You may have read in the most recent Member Access News that the WEA National Office is moving. It sounds very dramatic, but we are only moving across campus. We're packing up our office and unpacking in Eigenmann Hall where we will have a new, larger office space in conjunction with the brand new (and HUGE) space that IU Outdoor Adventures has acquired. We aren't sure when the move will happen, and we don't know what our new address will be, but we will post it on the website as soon as we know more!
The Inaugural issue of the JOREL is available. Subscribe today! (Members, don't forget, you get a subscription discount!)
Membership Welcome letters are also going to be seeing a facelift. We are constantly making efforts to reduce our use of paper in the National Office. Now when you renew your membership with the WEA you will recieve a postcard heralding the news of your recently renewed membership along with how to access all of your membership benefits on the website.
We also consolodated the membership pages on the website. Now you can access news, discounts and information all in one place. If you are a member, access the new membership information page today (and let us know what you think)!
Regarding the conference, the Professional Ropes Course Association has teamed up with the WEA for the 2nd year in a row to Co-host the 2010 National Conference on Outdoor Leadership. We are excited to be offering a wide variety of workshops and presentations to folks in February. With Estes Park, CO as our backdrop, we are looking forward to a great event! Details are being added to the website almost daily!
If you are interested in where the WEA Accreditation is moving, we encourage you to review the Accreditation Manual and provide feedback. The document and discussion forum are currently open so check them out (available to members only). The first six Affiliates are moving through the Self Study program right now and we are looking forward to brining more Affiliates through the program in 2010.
Call for Proposals for the conference is open till November 16th. Be sure to submit your workshop proposal for the conference soon!
Been doing research regarding Outdoor Leadership? Present at the 2010 Outdoor Leadership Research Symposium! Submissions are due November 1st!

This fall we will continue to make plans and arrangements for the conference in February. We look forward to seeing you all there! It will be a great place to learn about the WEA, the PRCA, get involved, learn, present, and network with professionals and students (they are the future you!)

Exciting things are happening and we are always looking for committed individuals to get involved. Feel free to drop the National Office a line if you are interested in joining a committee or would like to get involved in another way!

Happy Fall!

Mary Williams - Executive Director

PS. Mallory is currently training for her first ever marathon in December. Feel free to send her notes of encouragement, and virtual high fives because she is putting in some serious mileage!

26-Oct-09 3:00 PM

Accreditation Billing 2010 - Provisional Accreditation

noemail@weainfo.org — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 04:00:00 GMT

As the WEA transitions to Accreditation this year, Affiliates will notice that the pricing structure for Accreditation fees varries depending on the level of desired accreditation. The fee structure is as follows: Steward Accreditation Annual Fee: $250 Outdoor Leader Accrediation Annual Fee: $550 Steward Instructor Accreditation Annual Fee: $625 Outdoor Leader Instructor Accreditation Annual Fee: $625 The annual accreditation fee billing cycle is transitioning to operate in line with the WEA Annual fiscal year. During this transition the Board of Trustees approved a 6 month extension on 2010 Affiliate fees for all Accredited Institutions. Accredited-Provisional institutions will be billed for Annual accreditation fees in March of 2010 with the total due by the end of June 2010. The membership structure of the WEA is changing along with the accreditation transition. Due to the changes in the WEA membership structure beginning in March '10, accreditation fees will no longer include...

8.0-10.0 Curriculum Clarification for Self Study Submission

noemail@weainfo.org — Sun, 07 Feb 2010 18:00:00 GMT

The WEA National Office has received a few inquiries regarding the 8.0, 9.0, and 10.0 series included in Section B of the Accreditation Manual and is offering this clarification to aid organizations looking to submit a Self Study for Accreditation. 8.0, 9.0 and 10.0 Series Overview 8.0 Series - Judgment Integral to the history and mission of the Wilderness Education Association, the 8.0 series was designed to ensure that Judgment remained the overarching theme that holds the curriculum together. Judgment is essential to each of the 6 Core Competencies; one cannot be an effective outdoor leader without the ability to apply Judgment and make appropriate decisions within the context of each of the competencies. View the full description of the 8.0 series here. 9.0 Series - 6 Core Competencies The 9.0 series encompases each of the 6 Core Competencies that the WEA believes are essential competencies for any person working professionaly in the field of outdoor leadership. Each of...

JOREL Call for Papers - Due April 15, 2010

noemail@weainfo.org — Sun, 07 Feb 2010 17:00:00 GMT

Call for Papers
Journal of Outdoor Recreation, Education, and Leadership
Volume 2(1)
DUE DATE: April 15, 2010

The Journal of Outdoor Recreation, Education, and Leadership (JOREL) is
currently soliciting general interest articles for inclusion in Volume
2(2) that focus on the areas of outdoor recreation, education, and
leadership. The JOREL welcomes manuscripts that contribute to
improving outdoor recreation, education, and leadership through the
publication and dissemination of peer-reviewed manuscripts centered on
professional practice, research, and theoretical discussions.

The journal solicits high quality manuscripts from authors inside and
outside of academia. Authors are encouraged to submit manuscripts that
present quantitative and/or qualitative research findings; conceptual or
theoretical discussions; or program practices. Published contributions
should appeal to a wide audience including practitioners, faculty,
students, policy makers, and others involved in outdoor recreation,
education, and leadership.

For information on how to submit an article go to: www.ejorel.com and
click “Author Instructions.” All manuscripts will be submitted
electronically through the Manuscript Submission Portal found on the
www.ejorel.com website.

Any questions should be directed to:

Dr. Aram Attarian
JOREL Editor in Chief
aram_attarian@ncsu.edu

Calling All Certified Outdoor Leaders!

noemail@weainfo.org — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 14:00:00 GMT

Calling all Certified Outdoor Leaders! Participate in a master's thesis research study exploring outdoor leaders' emotional intelligence! The purpose of this study is to determine the emotional intelligence of a sample of outdoor leaders and explore possible predictors of emotional intelligence. Please follow the link below to begin participation. You will be directed to a short online survey of demographic information. At the end of this survey, you will be directed to the Mayer Salovey Caruso Emotional Intelligence Test (MSCEIT) to gather emotional intelligence information. In order to complete the MSCEIT, you will need an ID number (1080-001-000) and password (emotion). If you have any questions, please fee free to contact the researcher, Crystal Weaver, via email at crystal.m.weaver@gmail.com or by phone at (706) 936 - 0154.

JOREL Vol 1, Issue 2

noemail@weainfo.org — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 20:00:00 GMT

Volume 1, Issue 2: 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 outdoor leadership) for the journal include, but are not limited to: outdoor recreation, adventure recreation, outdoor education, outdoor leadership, pedagogy, administration, programming, risk management, wilderness medicine, certification, participant behavior, trends, diversity, training, and outcomes. ---------------------------------------------- The second issue includes the following: Editor's Notes Aram Attarian The Development of Ecological Literacy among Novice Outdoor...

Wanted: Roomate for Conference!

noemail@weainfo.org — Sat, 09 Jan 2010 17:00:00 GMT

The 2010 National Conference on Outdoor Leadership is approaching quickly ......... Do you have your room at the YMCA of the Rockies reserved yet? Click One: Yes No You clicked 'Yes' - that's great! So now the question is twofold: Do you have extra space in your room? Do you want to save some money?If you answered yes to both of these questions, we want to help match you with people who need a room to stay in and save a little money themselves! Post a note on the discussion forum letting folks know that you have space to share. If you have room share preferences (male/female/professional/students) be sure to include that information in your post as well as how many spaces you have available. Don't forget to check out the other posts and see if there is someone out there looking for a room! What a great way to meet some new people! You clicked 'No', and that's kind of a bummer. We want to help you find a place to stash...

The National Office Has Moved!

noemail@weainfo.org — Sat, 09 Jan 2010 17:00:00 GMT

When it was decided that Indiana University Outdoor Adventures was moving out of the IMU, they invited us to come along and offered us a beautiful spacious office in their new facility. We checked out the new space and were happy to jump on board and make our way to the east side of campus.

So on January 4th and 5th, the WEA National Office moved out of the Indiana Memorial Union across campus to Eigenmann Hall. We are excited to be closer to IUOA and to create more opportunities for collaboration between the WEA and Indiana University in the coming months and years.

Our new address is:

Wilderness Education Association

Eigenmann Hall, Room 029

1900 E 10th St

Bloomington, IN 47406

Our phone and email will stay the same:

812.855.4095

wea@indiana.edu

Our fax number will be changing.........we'll let you know when we confirm the new number!

If you are ever in the neighborhood, come by and say hello!

2010 BOT Elections

noemail@weainfo.org — Sat, 09 Jan 2010 16:00:00 GMT

The Wilderness Education Association invites you to consider becoming a candidate for the 2010 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. 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 Outdoor Leadership and once for a mid-year meeting. Board members serve either on the Executive Committee or as a Committee Chairperson for the Association. Determination of Committee Chair and Executive Committee positions are determined...

Membership - Navigate the Changes

noemail@weainfo.org — Thu, 31 Dec 2009 21:00:00 GMT

In addition to the structural changes that are taking place within the WEA as part of the Strategic Plan, your Membership with the WEA is also getting a facelift. Individual Memberships, as you recall, were assigned using criteria based on whether the member was a student, professional, associate, or received their memberships as part of their course fees. The new changes will make memberships more functional to perspective and renewing members, meaningful to those who wish to use their membership features to advance their professional development, and more affordable to those who wish to support the organization and take advantage of the Member Benefits Program. The new membership levels are as follows: IROL Membership Introductory Membership Premium Membership Accreditation Membership Organizational Memberships Attached is a document that maps out the differences between memberships and helps you determine the membership type that would be most beneficial to you/ your...

Accreditation Cliffs Notes

noemail@weainfo.org — Thu, 31 Dec 2009 16:00:00 GMT

Throughout the past several months we have received feedback and questions from current and interested affiliates regarding the Accreditation Manual and the accreditation process. From that feedback we have compiled the following information that will hopefully provide members, current affiliates and interested organizations a more clear picture of WEA's accreditation. Levels and Pricing WEA will implement four different Accreditation levels. The four levels are as follows: Steward Outdoor Leadership Steward Instructor Outdoor Leader Instructor Steward Accreditation: Curriculum Coverage: An organization accredited to the Steward level (SA)is one that covers the content of two-five of the core curriculum competencies (9.0 Series). In addition to content coverage, the institution assesses and evaluates students in those competencies including student judgment and decision making (8.0 series) within the context of the individual competencies. International Registry of Outdoor...

Graduate Teaching Assistant

Tue, 23 Feb 2010 05:00:00 GMT

Title: Graduate Teaching Assistant Description: For students beginning their graduate studies at Prescott College in Fall 2010, a limited number of Graduate Teaching Assistantships (GTAs) are available in the fields of Adventure Education, Counseling Psychology, Cultural & Regional Studies, Education and Environmental Studies. Graduate Teaching Assistants will receive a tuition grant valued at $6,000 for the first year and will be considered for adjunct teaching positions in their second year, assuming they have completed the first year program and had a successful evaluation of their teaching in the spring. Graduate Teaching Assistantships provide graduate students with experiential learning opportunities working with faculty members and students in undergraduate courses in the on campus undergraduate program in Prescott, Arizona. If you are considering a career as an educator, testing the waters as a Graduate Teaching Assistant can prove to be an invaluable learning...

Parks and Recreation - Wilderness Managment

Thu, 18 Feb 2010 05:00:00 GMT

Title: Parks and Recreation - Wilderness Managment Description: Vermilion Community College seeks an innovate instructor dedicated to excellence in teaching who desires to become part of a creative, vibrant, student-centered learning community. New faculty will practice contemporary teaching strategies, including learner outcome assessments, , and online instruction. Faculty members are professionally active scholars who participate in departmental and campus-wide matters to enhance their disciplines and programs. They also are involved in curriculum development, promote interdisciplinary discourse and collaboration, and advance the college mission. Teach courses including, but not limited to: Wilderness Management Philosophy, Policy and Politics, International Land Preservation Systems, Wilderness and Human Impact; Forest Protection Officer, Outdoor Recreation Therapy, Adaptive Techniques; Horse Packing; Natural Resource Law. Required Experience: Minimum Qualifications: Bachelors...

Wed, 03 Mar 2010 20:32:10 GMT

Recently Posted: Certified Outdoor Leaders: Please participate in this 30 minute survey by March 1 WEA Board of Trustees 2010 Candidate Nominations - Due February 11 Journal of Outdoor Recreation Education and Leadership Vol 1, Issue 2 Now Available! Call for Papers - Due April 15 FB.init(d67e5f7841f76afa560c7c5a0e60bee2); Wilderness Education Association on Facebook div {border:0px solid green;} img {border:0px;} #badgewrapper160 { width:160px; font-family:arial,helvetica,verdana; } #badgewrapper160 #badge_header { width:160px; height:120px; background-image: url(http://www.goodsearch.com/_gfx/badges/header-160.png); } * html #badgewrapper160 #badge_header { background: transparent none; filter:progid:DXImageTransform.Microsoft.AlphaImageLoader(src='http://www.goodsearch.com/_gfx/badges/header-160.png'); } #badgewrapper160 #badge_header_links { font-family:arial,helvetica,verdana; text-align:center; ...

Membership Levels

Thu, 25 Feb 2010 16:38:10 GMT

Introductory Membership ($15.00): A great way to begin supporting the Wilderness Education Association. This membership level entitles you to some awesome deals as part of the Members Benefits Program. Premium Membership ($35.00): The best way to continue your support for the organization. With this membership you get all of the benefits of the Introductory Membership with the added bonus of a 12-month membership with the Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics. IROL Membership ($85.00): The International Registry of Outdoor Leaders(IROL) is dedicated to those individuals holding Outdoor Leader Certification status or higher. If you are being 'grandfathered' into the IROL you will need to purchase this membership in order to gain access to your portfolio space. In order to qualify for this membership type, you must have documentation of having received (at minimum) your Outdoor Leader Certification. If you fail to meet this requirement your IROL Membership will be voided in...

Tue, 23 Feb 2010 19:10:52 GMT

'Thank you!' to all of the attendees, presenters, sponsors, and exhibitors for coming out and making this year's conference such a great success!

(Please fill out the conference evaluation form and tell us about your experience!)

2010 Conference Schedule

Tue, 09 Feb 2010 18:30:02 GMT

Conference Schedule - Updated 2/9

Click here to download the tentative list of conference workshops

Conference Home

Exhibitor Information

Fri, 05 Feb 2010 16:02:43 GMT

Check out our current 2010 Supporters! Registration Information Early Registration Sorry, the early registration deadline has passed. Regular Registration December 19, 2009 to February 1, 2010 Rate: $600* Exhibitor Booth includes one registration** Click Here to Register! *Returning Vendors, Affiliates and Organizational Members receive a $100 discount on your Exhibitor Booth. Please conact the WEA National Office to obtain your discount code to be entered at checkout. * As of February 10th, there will be a $50 late registration fee for exhibitors. **Exhibitors may purchase one additional registration for a discounted rate of $200. Interested in an Exhibitor Booth with additional benefits? Check out our Sponsorship Information here. If an exhibitor booth or sponsorship does not meet the needs of your organization, please consider making a product donation. For more information, please contact Jessie at the WEA National Office:...

Pre-Conference Workshops

Wed, 03 Feb 2010 21:51:56 GMT

Pre Conference Workshops (1 day): Ice Climbing Winter Travel Skills for Outdoor Educators Worst Case Survival Skills: What To Do When Technology Fails Pre Conference Workshops (2 day): WEA Instructor Training Clinic Interactive Course Area Guides Ice Climbing This one-day introductory course covers all the basics, from how to stay warm to how to best use your tools and crampons to climb efficiently and naturally. Our guides are masters at getting your skills up to par – fast. You’ll climb a lot, for in this sport more than most, practice makes perfect and practice keeps you warm! Benefits Learn proper techniques for belaying and rappelling on ice Develop a natural and efficient swing with leashed and leashless tools Learn how to stay warm and comfortable Learn what gear you need and what you don’t See the latest in safe climbing techniques and ice protection systems Learn how to use your legs and crampons more than your arms Develop good...

2010 National Conference on Outdoor Leadership

Tue, 12 Jan 2010 17:56:58 GMT

Register for our Pre Conference Workshops by February 1st Help spread the word - download the conference poster! Conference Theme & Keynote Speaker Registration Call for Proposals: Conference Workshops, Outdoor Leadership Research Symposium & Pre-Conference Workshops Exhibitor Information Conference Schedule Become a Sponsor or Make a Donation Service Crew - Information and Application Conference Hotel, Shuttle and Travel Information Help us spread the word on Facebook! Cancellation/Refund Policy Donations for the Annual Gear Auction and Raffle are now being accepted. All proceeds benefit the Kitty Drury Scholarship Fund. For details on how to donate items, please contact Jessie at the National Office. 2010 Events Committee: Committee Chair: Kim Collins - Indiana University Outdoor Adventures Presentation...

Refund and Cancellation Policy

Mon, 11 Jan 2010 20:19:34 GMT

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 18, 2009 - Eighty percent refund

Between December 19-January 15, 2010 - Fifty percent refund

After January 15, 2010 - No refund.

Q: Can I transfer my registration to another person if I can't make it?
A: Yes! Professionals registrations may be transferred to another professional or a student. Student registrations may only be transferred to another student. Memberships will not be transferred (If you register as a member and transfer to a non-member they will need to become a member or pay the difference for non-member registration). Registration transfers must be submitted to the National Office via email no later than January 25, 2010 by the person who is forfeiting their registration. Transfer notification must contain the full name and contact information of the person who cannot attend as well as the full contact information of the person attending in their place (name, email, phone, address). The WEA National Office will confirm any transfers before implementing.

WEA is not liable for refunds due to weather or transportation related causes. Pre-conference workshop cancellations due to low enrollment will be given the option of full refunds or transfers to another workshop.

Conference Home

WEA Board of Trustees

Fri, 08 Jan 2010 22:18:26 GMT

Board of Trustees Roster Board of Trustees Job Descriptions Organizational Bylaws 2009 Roster: Executive Committee President: Chris Pelchat (cpelchat@ithaca.edu) Vice President: Mike McGowan (ml-mcgowan@wiu.edu) Treasurer: Jackson Wilson (jadwilso@indiana.edu) Secretary: Whitney Ward (wward@siu.edu) Affiliate Representative: Ivan Bartha (ilbartha@stcloudstate.edu) Members at Large/Committee Chairs Ricky Haro - Standards Committee (rvharo@gmail.com) Scott Jordan - Curriculum Committee (jordans@okstate.edu) Rachel Collins - Research Committee (rhcollins@gmail.com) Kim Collins- Events Committee (kacollin@indiana.edu) Board of Trustees Job Descriptions: President Vice President Treasurer Secretary Affiliate Representative Board Member at Large Committee Chair

Changes to Your Membership

Thu, 31 Dec 2009 21:22:25 GMT

Your Membership with the Wilderness Education Association has changed! We are proud to introduce the new membership levels-- which will make your WEA membership more useful and affordable. You will be able to renew your current membership under the new levels starting March 1st 2009. Introductory Membership ($15.00): A great way to show your support for the WEA, and reap the many advantages of the Member Benefits Program. Premium Membership ($25.00): Gives you all of the benefits of the Introductory Membership with the added perk of a 12-month membership with the Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics. IROL Membership ($TBA): Gain access into the International Registry of Outdoor Leaders. This tool is a must for those looking to maintain their Outdoor Leader Certification or keep an 'active' Instructor status. Organizational Membership ($250): the perfect Membership level that offer courses endorsed by the Wilderness Education Association. If your...

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

Fri, 12 Mar 2010 11:24:57 GMT