Date Significant Events in Adventure Programming that influenced the beginning of adventure therapy Source

 

Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle identified virtues as the key qualities for youth in society. Virtues were best gained by direct or purposeful experience where youth were impelled into action by taking risks.

cited in Miles, J.C. & Priest, S.  (1999) Adventure Programming

(1592 - 1670)

Comenius emphasized sensory awareness for learning.

cited in Miles, J.C. & Priest, S.  (1999) Adventure Programming

(1712 - 1778)

Rousseau emphasized learning through and about nature.

cited in Miles, J.C. & Priest, S.  (1999) Adventure Programming

(1746 - 1827)

Pestalozzi emphasized practice to learn the sensible skills.

cited in Miles, J.C. & Priest, S.  (1999) Adventure Programming

1861

 Gunnery School (CT) adds 40 mile camping trip to its curriculum.

cited in Miles, J.C. & Priest, S.  (1999) Adventure Programming 

1900

 Baden Powell and Scouting in UK.

cited in Miles, J.C. & Priest, S.  (1999) Adventure Programming

1900

William James' pragmatism (the value of experience is measured by the learning that arises from the actions and consequences of the active experience) and his virtuous moral equivalent of war (1949)!

cited in Miles, J.C. & Priest, S.  (1999) Adventure Programming

1902

 Laura Mattoon takes girl's school group on wilderness expedition.

cited in Miles, J.C. & Priest, S.  (1999) Adventure Programming

1906

Kurt Hahn "Uber Erhieburg"

cited in Miles, J.C. & Priest, S.  (1999) Adventure Programming

1920

 Kurt Hahn founded Salem Schule (peace school) with Prince Max of Baden and Karl Reinhard.

cited in Miles, J.C. & Priest, S.  (1999) Adventure Programming

1924

 ACA: American Camping Association created by merging several camping organizations.

cited in Miles, J.C. & Priest, S.  (1999) Adventure Programming

1927

 Life Camps directed by L.B. Sharp offers camping education in the natural environment.

 

1934

 Kurt Hahn founded Gordonstoun (abandoned Scottish castle) in the UK after leaving Germany.

cited in Miles, J.C. & Priest, S.  (1999) Adventure Programming

1938

 Dewey's two principles of interaction (balancing conditions to optimize learning) and continuity (the contribution of the experience to generalized future learning).

cited in Miles, J.C. & Priest, S.  (1999) Adventure Programming

1940

 National Camp for training camping leaders in methods of "nature recreation" (Bill Vinal).

cited in Miles, J.C. & Priest, S.  (1999) Adventure Programming

1941

 Kurt Hahn founded Outward Bound in Aberdovey, Wales with Lawrence Holt and Jim Hogan.

cited in Miles, J.C. & Priest, S.  (1999) Adventure Programming

1946

 Brathay Hall Trust in UK.

http://www.brathay.org.uk/youth/youthhome.html

 

1950

 Whitehall Open Country Pursuits Centre in UK (first LEA center).

cited in Miles, J.C. & Priest, S.  (1999) Adventure Programming

1950

 Second OB school opens in Eskdale Green, England.

cited in Miles, J.C. & Priest, S.  (1999) Adventure Programming

1951

 First OB programming for women

cited in Miles, J.C. & Priest, S.  (1999) Adventure Programming

1958

 First OB school outside the UK in Lumut, Malaysia.

cited in Miles, J.C. & Priest, S.  (1999) Adventure Programming

1962

 First American OB school in Marble, Colorado.

cited in Miles, J.C. & Priest, S.  (1999) Adventure Programming

1965

 NOLS: National Outdoor Leadership School (Paul Petzoldt was to have been the Wyoming OB School for leadership training in 1963).

cited in Miles, J.C. & Priest, S.  (1999) Adventure Programming

1971

 PA: Project Adventure founded (to integrate OB concepts into schools).

cited in Miles, J.C. & Priest, S.  (1999) Adventure Programming

1974

 First "Outdoor Pursuits in Higher Education" conference.

cited in Miles, J.C. & Priest, S.  (1999) Adventure Programming

1975

Groome Disgle founded The Outdoor Pursuits Centre of New Zealand

 

1977

 AEE: Association for Experiential Education formed.

cited in Miles, J.C. & Priest, S.  (1999) Adventure Programming

1977

 WEA: Wilderness Education Association formed

cited in Miles, J.C. & Priest, S.  (1999) Adventure Programming

1980

Outdoor training advisory founded in New Zealand. Closed a few years later.

 

1984

 "Accepted Peer Practices in Adventure Programming" published.

cited in Miles, J.C. & Priest, S.  (1999) Adventure Programming

1985

Outdoor Instructors Association founded in New Zealand

 

1987

 "Common Practices for Adventure Programming" published.

cited in Miles, J.C. & Priest, S.  (1999) Adventure Programming

1989

National Curriculum Outdoor Adventure activities

 

1990

 "Safety Practices in Adventure Programming" published.

cited in Miles, J.C. & Priest, S.  (1999) Adventure Programming

1993

 "Manual of Accreditation Standards for Adventure Programs" published.

cited in Miles, J.C. & Priest, S.  (1999) Adventure Programming

1993

 ACCT: Association of Challenge Course Technology formed.

 

1991

University of Oregon. Therapeutic outdoor recreation program eliminated.

 

1995

Lynne Bay canoeing tragedy precipitates over haul of adventure programs in United Kingdom.

 

1996

 Play for Peace created.

cited in Miles, J.C. & Priest, S.  (1999) Adventure Programming

 

We invite you  to add to this list:

Date of Event:

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Reference List

Davis-Berman, J & Berman, D.S.(1994) Chapter 3: Early Wilderness Programs Wilderness Therapy: Foundations, Theory & Research  Dubuque, IA: Kendall/Hunt Publishing

Gass, Michael A., (January 1993) Adventure Therapy : Therapeutic Applications of Adventure Programming.  Dubuque Iowa: Kendall/Hunt Publishing Company

Gillis, H. L. (1992). Therapeutic Uses of Adventure-Challenge-Outdoor-Wilderness: Theory and Research. Paper presented at the Coalition for Education in the Outdoors Research Symposium Proceedings, Bradford Woods, Indiana.

Gillis, H.L (1998).  The journey in Oz: From activity-based psychotherapy to adventure therapy.  In C.M. Itin (Ed) Exploring the Boundaries of Adventure Therapy International Perspectives: Proceedings of the 1st International Adventure Therapy Conference, Perth Australia

Gillis, H.L.  & Thomsen, D.  (1996).  A Research Update (1992 - 1995) of Adventure Therapy: Challenge Activities and Ropes Courses, Wilderness Expeditions, & Residential Camping Programs. Martinsville, IN:  Bradford Woods, Indiana University:  Coalition for Education in the Outdoors Symposium Proceedings

Miles, J.C. & Priest, S.  (1999). Adventure Programming.  Venture Publishing.

Priest, S. & Gass, M. (1999) Effective Leadership in Adventure Programming.  Human Kinetics Publishing.

Schoel, J., Prouty, D., Radcliffe, P. (1988) Islands of Healing : A Guide to Adventure Based Counseling.  Hamilton, MA: Project Adventure, Inc.