Outdoor Education Commons^™

Resources, Coalition For Education In The Outdoors

Taproot: A Journal of Outdoor Education

This section contains a listing of teaching resources of all types for those who work in the outdoor education field at the time of publication. Some items highlighted include: "An Introduction to Acoustic Ecology" and "The Nature Sounds Society".

Review Of Nature First, Michael A Anderson

Taproot: A Journal of Outdoor Education

Nature First is a collection of essays edited by Bob Henderson and Nils Vikander. In it the evolving relationship between humans and nature in modern industrialized society is explored through the lens of the Norwegian traditions of friluftsliv. Frilufts-what, you may say if like me you're seeing the word for the first time. Fri-lufts-liv. In drawing attention to this most intriguing word, which translates literally to "free air life" or "nature free life", the editors introduce the reader to the deep and complex roots of Norway's cultural relationship with nature. A relationship whose sense of place has a history pre-dating …

Conference Calendar, Coalition For Education In The Outdoors

Taproot: A Journal of Outdoor Education

This section provides a list of conferences in the field of outdoor education including NOLS (National Outdoor Leadership School) and EECOM (Canadian Network for Environmental Education).

You Belong Outside, Bruce Matthews

Taproot: A Journal of Outdoor Education

"You Belong Outside" is a poem by Bruce Matthews about how natural and free it is to be outside.

Children And Nature Forum Update, Coalition For Education In The Outdoors

Taproot: A Journal of Outdoor Education

The fifty-four member Forum is dedicated to reconnecting kids with nature. By doing so, the Forum seeks to improve children's health and overall well-being, while encouraging them to rediscover America's landscape. The Forum believes that children's disconnect from nature, if left unchecked, shortchanges their health and happiness now-- and creates a future generation of adults that is less healthy, productive and able to value and protect our country's natural resources.

Revisited And Remembered, Michael A Anderson

Taproot: A Journal of Outdoor Education

Six autumns ago, I was fortunate to take an extended river trip to the tune of thirty days. I say fortunate because in this age of "time is money" a month-long personal trip free of outside responsibilities is indeed a luxury. Especially considering the trip itself was a month long, not including the logistical days necessary before and after such an extended outing. If only we could all be so lucky, right? Well, before critiques of wilderness elitism chime in let me assuage your thoughts, for this trip was not funded by outside means - no sponsors, no trust funds. …

Review Of Cache Lake Country, Charles Yaple

Taproot: A Journal of Outdoor Education

Those who read Cache Lake Country will quickly understand why it was selected for a 1999 National Outdoor Book Award in the classic category. It is the story of John Rowlands who lived in the wilds of northern Ontario during the early part of the 20th century. A man of many talents, Rowland worked as a miner, prospector, surveyor and timber cruiser as a young person. He was also a journalist and public relations officer at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

Review Of One Man's Wilderness, Charles Yaple

Taproot: A Journal of Outdoor Education

Sam Keith's account (One Man's Wilderness) is the story of Richard Proenneke's stay in the Alaskan wilderness during the late 1960s. Like John Rowland's (Cache Lake Country) it too earned a National Book Award in 1999. Also like Rowland's, Proenneke had dreamed since boyhood of living in the wilderness. Proenneke's time to do so came in 1968 when he hired a bush pilot to fly him into the Twin Lakes area near Port Alsworth, Alaska. There he built a small log cabin and established a homestead that would host him for 16 months and periodically over …

Professional Opportunities, Coalition For Education In The Outdoors

Taproot: A Journal of Outdoor Education

This section included numerous opportunities for professional development related to outdoor education and environmental or conservation education. Some of the options included "Green Festivals 2009" and the "38th NSEE Conference Dallas, TX".

From The Editor, Charles Yaple

Taproot: A Journal of Outdoor Education

Like the people in the above story, this issue of Taproot deals with the sounds people value. Considering the increasing popularity of cell phones, iPods, and other portable electronic devices it appears the value of hearing natural sounds or experiencing silence is not a high priority. Many questions can be posed regarding this situation. What is the long-term impact on human physical, mental, and spiritual health when people are subject to noise, human voices and music as they sleep? What harm does daylong use of cell phones, iPods, and other electronic devices bring about? What is the future for environmental …

Susquehanna Paddle, William Williams

Taproot: A Journal of Outdoor Education

My childhood reading of Mark Twain's account about Huck Finn's river trip caused me to dream about venturing down the Susquehanna. Growing up along the river in Elmira, New York there was always a sense of uncertainty and unpredictability suggesting it would be physically challenging and fun. However, it remained only a notion in the inner recesses of my mind as I grew and life drew me in other directions. The idea surfaced and strengthened once again in the summer of 2007 and, despite the reservations of my wife and friends, off I went.

An Overview Of The National Trails System Act, Sandra L. Johnson

Taproot: A Journal of Outdoor Education

The National Trails System Act, P.L. 90-543, became law October 2, 1968. The Act and its subsequent amendments authorized a national system of trails and defined four categories of national trails. Since the designation of the Appalachian and Pacific Crest National Scenic Trails as the first two components, the system has grown to include 20 national trails. Now, 30 years after its inception, issues remain regarding funding, quality and quantity of trails, new trail categories, and nationwide promotion to make Americans more aware of the System. This report will be updated as legislative actions occur.

Trends And Issues In Outdoor Adventure Programming, Tom Holman, Andrew J. Bobilya, And Leo Mcavoy

Taproot: A Journal of Outdoor Education

Research has shown that these Outdoor Adventure Programs provide their participants with major positive and life changing outcomes. These programs connect people with nature, encourage growth in personal and group development, provide outdoor skill development, and enrich people's quality of life in many other outcome areas. Quality leadership and management of programs are necessary for these programs to continue to offer safe and attractive opportunities for participants. Like all other social movements, the Outdoor Adventure Program movement must constantly adjust to changing social and cultural conditions. The purpose of this paper is to identify and explain some of the current …

Review Of Wind The World Over, Michael A Anderson

Taproot: A Journal of Outdoor Education

In our last issue, we identified in our news briefs section the significant increase in wind power installations throughout the United States during 2007. Now coincidentally, we find Irene Roland and Vanessa Kellogg's, 2007 children's book, Wind the World Over in our reviews section.

Professional Opportunities, Coalition For Education In The Outdoors

Taproot: A Journal of Outdoor Education

This section included numerous opportunities for professional development related to outdoor education and environmental or conservation education. Some of the options included "Council of Outdoor Educator of Ontario 2008 Annual Conference" and "The Wildlife Society's 15th Annual Conference".

Contents, Coalition For Education In The Outdoors

Taproot: A Journal of Outdoor Education

The Coalition for Education in the Outdoors is a non-profit network of outdoor and environmental education centers, nature centers, conservation and recreation organizations, outdoor education and experiential education associations, institutions of higher learning, public and private schools, fish and wildlife agencies, and businesses that share a mission the support and furtherance of outdoor education and its goals.

A Visual Exploration Of Schools And Prisons, Michael A Anderson

Taproot: A Journal of Outdoor Education

I've often found myself driving down the road passing by an unfamiliar large building wondering, "What's going on in there?" And more specifically, "Was that a school or a prison? I think it was a school, but it sort of looked like a prison." Currently, my 1992 Honda Accord's odometer reads 225,346 miles - the majority of which are from my personal travels throughout the greater United States. While I've certainly contributed to my share of greenhouse gases during those 15 years of driving, I've also had the opportunity to observe and reflect on society and a lot of mysterious …

Review Of In Defense Of Childhood, Charles Yaple

Taproot: A Journal of Outdoor Education

Those who have read, and taken seriously, Richard Louv's Last Child in the Woods: Saving our Children from Nature Deficit Disorder must quickly obtain a copy of Mercogliano' s In Defense of Childhood ... Mercogliano's focus is on modern parenting and public schools asserting that most of them stifle the innate sense of wonder, imagination, and creativity that all healthy children are born with. The main culprit, in his view, is an over-structured lifestyle imposed on children by parents and schools. By attempting to provide risk free situations and to prepare children for success in a consumer oriented society parents …

Conference Calendar, Coalition For Education In The Outdoors

Taproot: A Journal of Outdoor Education

This section provides a list of conferences in the field of outdoor education including "National Center on Accessibility" and "SOLO - Wilderness Medicine".

An Overview Of Outdoor Experiential Education In Canadian K-12 Schools, Mary Breunig & Tim O'Connell

Taproot: A Journal of Outdoor Education

Must we always teach our children with books? Let them look at the mountains and the stars up above. Let them look at the beauty of the waters and the trees and flowers on earth. They will then begin to think, and to think is the beginning of a real education. - David Polis

In January, the authors of this paper spent an afternoon at the Norval Outdoor School in Norval, Ontario. It was a cold day. The ground was blanketed with a layer of new fallen snow and a group of 5th grade students were engaged in a form …

Outdoor Learning At Tuckahoe Elementary School, Charles Yaple

Taproot: A Journal of Outdoor Education

Recognizing that public schools can play an important role in reconnecting children to nature, Taproot sought out an exemplary program to highlight. Some strong recommendations from professional colleagues, a brief personal visit, and review of their web site prompted an interview with leaders at Tuckahoe Elementary School in Arlington, Virginia. School principal, Cynthia Brown and Outdoor Learning Coordinator, Mary McLean discussed how outdoor learning has become an integral part of their curriculum. We trust their experiences may model school-based outdoor education elsewhere.

Review Of Schoolyard-Enhanced Learning, Charles Yaple

Taproot: A Journal of Outdoor Education

Schoolyard-Enhanced Learning...will be a very worthwhile edition to any "would be" outdoor educator's library. Herb Broda has written a nicely balanced book blending theory and practice. Stated in easily understood language, the author provides a very good introduction and overview of "outdoor education" that will help guide readers through confusion surrounding the term. Broda's explanation of the evolving concept of outdoor education will be very useful to new students and to those who wish to convince others (school administrators) about its educational value.

News Briefs, Coalition For Education In The Outdoors

Taproot: A Journal of Outdoor Education

This section contains multiple brief news items related to conservation, environment or outdoor education. Some items included: "Eco-consumers, we are not." and "One way to spread a little knowledge about environmental issues around the work place."

Review Of Where Do The Children Play?, Charles Yaple

Taproot: A Journal of Outdoor Education

Where Do The Children Play is a DVD based on Elizabeth Goodenough's book Secret Spaces of Childhood. Recently released in May 2008 it will become a very important component in advancing the Children and Nature movement!

Resources, Coalition For Education In The Outdoors

Taproot: A Journal of Outdoor Education

This section contains a listing of teaching resources of all types for those who work in the outdoor education field at the time of publication. Some items highlighted include: "No Child Left Inside Coalition" and "The Children & Nature Network".

From The Editor, Charles Yaple

Taproot: A Journal of Outdoor Education

It has been said, "a picture is worth a thousand words." If this is true, reason suggests that a direct experience is worth a thousand pictures! Unfortunately, even a cursory look at our society reveals that words and pictures are increasingly defining reality for more and more citizens. This is especially true for children when parents provide an array of electronic devices to "occupy" any available unstructured time and when schools routinely keep them indoors tied to books, computers, and tests. This issue of Taproot attempts to provide some insights on why we are holding our children prisoners and what …

Contents, Coalition For Education In The Outdoors

Taproot: A Journal of Outdoor Education

The Coalition for Education in the Outdoors is a non-profit network of outdoor and environmental education centers, nature centers, conservation and recreation organizations, outdoor education and experiential education associations, institutions of higher learning, public and private schools, fish and wildlife agencies, and businesses that share a mission the support and furtherance of outdoor education and its goals.

News Briefs, Coalition For Education In The Outdoors

Taproot: A Journal of Outdoor Education

This section contains multiple brief news items related to conservation, environment or outdoor education. Some titles include: "Saving the World's Most Endangered Birds" and "Iceland Calls Off Whale Hunt".

Review Of Jayber Crow, Charles Yaple

Taproot: A Journal of Outdoor Education

As in his other books, and poetry, Berry writes about ordinary people, community and the land. In Jayber Crow, readers follow the life journey of a "wouldbe" preacher who becomes the town barber in a small rural community of the south. Berry's genius is in the way that he draws the reader into the story. His development of characters is such that readers will quickly relate with them, and once hooked, will continue to read to see what happens. The book truly is one that you will not want to put down. It is a love story between and about …

Pleasurable Cures For Nature Deficit Disorder, Martin Ogle

Taproot: A Journal of Outdoor Education

Let's back up and define "Nature Deficit Disorder" a bit. The one sentence description of this disorder most often posited goes something like this: "Kids don't spend as much time outside as they used to, and this is compromising the health. and well-being of kids, the adults they become, and society." There is a lot of truth in this, and efforts to simply get kids outside more are needed and powerful in their own right. But the problem goes deep~r than that. Increasingly, the word "unstructured" is being added to the basic sentence, above: "Kids don't spend as much unstructured …