Introduction to Theory & Practice of Outdoor Adventure

RLS 3301 Outdoor Adventure Activities Spring 2010 5:00 - 8:00, Tuesday, Rm. 302 Mars McLean Mark Mullert, Adjunct Faculty Office: SLC 318 (254) 710-7606 Mark_Mullert@Baylor.edu COURSE OBJECTIVE Leisure services reveals a wide variety of opportunity for the professional from a career ranging in therapeutic recreation, military recreation, camping, national park service, forest service, university recreation, municipal recreation, challenge course industry, church recreation, professional guiding/ outfitting and these only touch the surface of directions the profession lends itself to.

Clearly, each of these is a separate course of study and incorporates theories and industry standards of their own. Outdoor adventure experiences are sought out and planned as a programming element in each of the above aforementioned areas. It is important for leaders in leisure services to understand the benefits, implications for the consumer and programming considerations for offering outdoor adventure experiences.

The separate objectives of this course are to: To explore and experience first hand the benefits of Outdoor Adventure experiences in a program setting through participation in several outdoor experiences- cycling, rock climbing, caving, and paddling.

To understand the theories and philosophies which support “Outdoor Adventure” as a discipline.

To be exposed to general outdoor skills including knot tying, belaying as well as an introduction to a variety of other technical skills.

To explore and define one’s own outdoor values and ethics.

To identify the significance that federal lands and natural resources contribute to outdoor adventure programming.

To demonstrate an understanding of the considerations and development stages for creating, managing, facilitating and administering outdoor adventure programs.

To explore the safety and risk management issues pertaining to outdoor adventure programs.

To identify the leadership qualities and styles required of effective outdoor leaders.

LABORATORY Students will participate in several class trips and weekend trips. The total lab fee will be approximately $55 plus money for gas and food. Any extra credit trips or courses are additional expenses.

Fee Breakdown Belay Certification Card Caving Supplies for biking Rock Climbing Weekend

$5

$15 for gas $15 (plus food) $20 (entrance fees and camping)(plus food & gas))

TEXT 1. Into Thin Air by Jon Krakauer, Random House 2. Open to Outcome: A Practical Guide for Facilitating & Teaching Experiential Reflection, Micah Jacobson and Mart Ruddy ($10.17 amazon) 3. The National Outdoor Leadership School’s Wilderness Guide, Mark Harvey (10.88 amazon) Supporting Texts: 1.

2.

3.

4.

Adventure Programming, by John C. Miles and Simon Priest, Venture Publishing.

A guide to Accident Prevention How to Rock Climb, by John Long and Craig Luebben, Chockstone Press, Inc. Accidents in North American Mountaineering, published by the American Alpine Club.

5. Administrative Practices of Accredited Adventure Programs, edited by Michael Gass, Phd., Simon and Schuster Custom Publishing.

6. Various articles covering current events.

COURSE POLICIES 1. This course will be governed by all policies described in the Faculty Handbook and the Student Guidebook of Baylor University.

2. Students who miss more than the 75% attendance requirement will fail the class with no exceptions.

3. Advance notification is required for turning in assignments late or to make up an exam. Without doctor/university excuse or other documented family reasons, a 5% penalty will be given for grades on assignments and tests.

4. All assignments are due at the beginning of the class. Late assignments will result in a 20% reduction in value.

ASSIGNMENTS/COURSE REQUIREMENTS 1. Class Participation: This class will be interactive; therefore your attention and participation will reflect a portion of your grade. There are opportunities to practice skills and have experiences in class. Your willingness to participate and try contribute to points given for participation.

2. Attendance: Your attendance counts as a test grade. After 4 absences, you fail the class. Leaving class early counts as an absence.

4. Book review: Throughout the semester, you will be asked to read Into Thin Air by Jon Krakauer. Over the course of the semester, you will prepare three typed reviews from a selected section of chapters. Each review will have specific questions for you to answer.

Review one: Chapter 1-7 Review two: Chapter 8-13 Review three: Chapter 14-21 3. Tests: You will have two tests and one final exam that will be cumulative.

The estimated dates are noted on your class schedule.

4. Trips: You will be participating in three required outside class experiences. These dates are pre-planned. You will have the opportunity to choose to participate in other trips for extra credit or as partial make up to our already scheduled trips. Some of our trips will be during regularly schedule class period and might extend some of our class periods and are noted on your syllabus.

5. Quizzes will be given over the reading assignments. There will be approximately 7 quizzes.

6. Students will complete one article review.

7. Other assignments include: complete belay certification, lead an adventure recreation game, present on a university outdoor program.

Trip dates: Caving Biking Enchanted Rock Weekend

Saturday, January 23rd Friday - Saturday, March 19-20th Friday (pm) – Sun, April 30-May 2

EXTRA CREDIT & MAKE-UP •

Register and participate for any trip/program offered through the Outdoor Adventure office of campus recreation and receive ½ of points for a missed trip. Register and participate in two trips/programs of equal or greater length and receive full credit for missed trip.

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For 50 points of extra credit, you may choose to participate in any outdoor adventure program offered through the Outdoor Adventure office of campus recreation. These 50 points are only available once.

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There may be additional slide extra credit opportunities and will be announced as they come available.

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If you are going to be late to an extra credit presentation or special event, do not show up as you will not receive credit.

GRADES Your grade will be determined based on the following point system including three tests, one final, one book review, class participation, and three outdoor trips.

Alternative assignment will be given in lieu of the trips for student athletes.

Test 1 Test 2 Attendance Participation Final Exam Book Review Caving Trip Bike Trip Class Weekend Trip Belay Certification Quizzes Game Presentation Program Research Article Review

100 points 100 points 100 points 50 points 150 points 90 points (30 each) 100 points 125 points 150 points 50 points 70 points (10 points each) 25 points 25 points 25 points

Total: A = 1044 - 1160 B = 928 - 1043 C= 812 0 927 D= 696-811 F = 695

1160 points

(Point range subject to change with any changes in assignments)

Text and Lecture Themes A. Exploring Outdoor Adventure • To define the wide array of outdoor adventure programs and what populations are being served • To define Outdoor Adventure • To explore the variety of activities and experiences that constitute “outdoor adventure” • To identify where and on what lands OA occurs • To explore the benefits of OA • To briefly identify specialty groups that utilize OA in programming • To research and explore outdoor programs, outdoor professional organizations and standard boards B. Outdoor Technical Skills • Caving • Hiking/Trekking • Backpacking • Rock Gyms • Challenge Course • Camping and Food • Clothing and Equipment • Canoeing • Wilderness Travel • Rock Climbing • Mountaineering • Cycling/Touring C. Professional Competencies & Certifications • Leave No Trace • Wilderness First Aid/Wilderness First Responder • AMGA, PCIA, PCGA- Climbing • ACCT, PRCA- Challenge Course • ACA, BCU- Canoe & Kayak D. Developmental Programs • To explore the concepts of: o Sequencing o Processing/Debriefing/Transfer of Learning o Sequencing o Stages of Group Development E. Outdoor Leadership & Risk Management