Outdoor experiential education programs offer valuable leadership opportunities and prompt development of both technical and interpersonal skills while at the same time allowing participants to enjoy the great outdoors. These programs teach participants how to communicate, plan and set goals, work on problem solving skills, and work as an effective team towards a common goal. Additionally, successful wilderness expeditions accentuate positive group dynamics, environmental awareness, and specific skill acquisition such as rock climbing, kayaking, skiing, or hiking. Although safety is a key component of any outdoor education program, exposure to risk may be equally important because it provides a means for certain educational opportunities that
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It can be noted that risk management encompasses a wide range of skills and is highly dependent on the leader’s skillset and capabilities, therefore necessitating the proper training of all outdoor leaders to ensure the safety of participants. Leaders should be able to adopt an appropriate strategy to organize the many components of risk management into a comprehensive plan. Additionally, in regards to wilderness experiences, it is important to understand both why outdoor leaders utilize risk in their programs and how they establish ideal levels of risk in the …show more content…
There are many widely known and well-respected organizations designed to ensure outdoor leaders receive proper training and knowledge to keep themselves and others safe in the outdoors. The National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS) is one of these major organizations and includes risk management as a major part of their core curriculum. After completion of this core curriculum and additional training, students are able to become proficient in various areas such as field instruction, technical skills, and personal skills. Additionally, there are several options for further qualification and advancement within the school (National Outdoor Leadership School, 2013, pp. 3-4). Outward Bound is another program that is committed to standardizing risk management. Specifically, Outward Bound (2014) guarantees that their instructors are “certified as Wilderness First Responders, Wilderness Advanced First Aiders, or the equivalent and meet all Outward Bound, local, state, and federal requirements for their positions” (Staff Training, para. 1). Consequently, both NOLS and Outward Bound ensure all outdoor leaders are competent at identifying, assessing, and approaching risk by adopting specific risk management techniques. Besides these outdoor organizations, universities and colleges may also offer
(p. 3)
It can be noted that risk management encompasses a wide range of skills and is highly dependent on the leader’s skillset and capabilities, therefore necessitating the proper training of all outdoor leaders to ensure the safety of participants. Leaders should be able to adopt an appropriate strategy to organize the many components of risk management into a comprehensive plan. Additionally, in regards to wilderness experiences, it is important to understand both why outdoor leaders utilize risk in their programs and how they establish ideal levels of risk in the …show more content…
There are many widely known and well-respected organizations designed to ensure outdoor leaders receive proper training and knowledge to keep themselves and others safe in the outdoors. The National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS) is one of these major organizations and includes risk management as a major part of their core curriculum. After completion of this core curriculum and additional training, students are able to become proficient in various areas such as field instruction, technical skills, and personal skills. Additionally, there are several options for further qualification and advancement within the school (National Outdoor Leadership School, 2013, pp. 3-4). Outward Bound is another program that is committed to standardizing risk management. Specifically, Outward Bound (2014) guarantees that their instructors are “certified as Wilderness First Responders, Wilderness Advanced First Aiders, or the equivalent and meet all Outward Bound, local, state, and federal requirements for their positions” (Staff Training, para. 1). Consequently, both NOLS and Outward Bound ensure all outdoor leaders are competent at identifying, assessing, and approaching risk by adopting specific risk management techniques. Besides these outdoor organizations, universities and colleges may also offer