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: "Outdoor education at Timbertop" and "Wilderness experience: How can we assess its value?"

News Briefs, Coalition For Education In The Outdoors

Taproot: A Journal of Outdoor Education

April 22, 2010 will mark the 4Üth anniversary of Earth Day, which made environmental protection a national issue and owes its founding to a dedicated public servant. The idea for Earth Day was former Wisconsin, Senator Gaylord Nelson's, and the launching of the mass movement was described by American Heritage Magazine as "one of the most remarkable happenings in the history of democracy."

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 the "Outdoor Nation Youth Summit and Festival" and "National Environmental Education Training Program."

Julian W Smith, Reynold E. Carlson

Taproot: A Journal of Outdoor Education

Although the roots of outdoor education cannot be precisely traced and many men and women have contributed to the growth of the movement, Julian Warner Smith stands out as one of the few who, with persistent emotion, guided the movement and influenced its character with his philosophy, principles, and active leadership.

William Gould Vinal, Angelique Bovee

Taproot: A Journal of Outdoor Education

"Cap'n Bill is perhaps the last of the "second generation" naturalist-educators in North America. He and his contemporaries-men and women like Ann Comstock, Laurence Palmer, Fay Welch, E.K. Fretwell, L.H. Bailey-followed close upon the days of Louis Agassiz and Asa Gray. They were the great innovators in the development of techniques to revolutionize the education of children and the non-scientist with respect to science and humans affairs." -John A.Gustafson (1975)

Review Of Theodore Rex, Wayne Smith

Taproot: A Journal of Outdoor Education

Edmund Morris has crafted the second of his planned three volume biography of Theodore Roosevelt. This book, "Theodore Rex," lives up to the standard set by Morris in the wonderful "The Rise of Theodore Roosevelt," which won a Pulitzer Prize.

Noba Awards For Historical-Biography Books, Coalition For Education In The Outdoors

Taproot: A Journal of Outdoor Education

This section lists National Outdoor Book Association award-winning books that can be used in the field of Outdoor Education. Some titles include: "Outdoor Literature: Halfway to Heaven" by Mark Obmascik and "Children's Whistling Wings" by Laura Goering.

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.

From The Editor, Charles Yaple

Taproot: A Journal of Outdoor Education

Having the opportunity, or taking it, to research and write about outdoor education. pioneers is similar to harvesting a garden without having had to plant, nurture and tend it. The pioneers (Anna Botsford Comstock, William Gould Vinal, and Julian W Smith) studied in this issue of Taproot have already done the hard work of tilling, planting seeds, nurturing and tending their chosen work. Although they departed for other worlds long ago, we continue to reap the benefits of their passion for outdoor education.

Anna Botsford Comstock, Charles Yaple

Taproot: A Journal of Outdoor Education

The first century Roman philosopher, Seneca said, "Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity" (Think/exist). That adage seems an apt descriptor of Anna Botsiord Comstock's life. However, it is tempting to blend an additional ingredient into Seneca's preparation and hard work formula - patience. For that is exactly what Anna Comstock had to practice before she received the opportunity to introduce nature study to countless numbers of teachers and school children in the early 19OO's.

Review Of Environment And The People In American Cities, James F. Bonilla

Taproot: A Journal of Outdoor Education

The Environment and the People in American Cities provides a remarkable historical account of some of America's most well known urban parks. Written by Dorceta Taylor, a professor at the University of Michigan's School of Natural Resources and the Environment and director of the Multicultural Environmentai Leadership Development Institute, this is the first of three extensive books connecting the history of the environment, diversity and social justice.

Review Of The Last Season, Charles Yaple

Taproot: A Journal of Outdoor Education

If you like true action wilderness adventure books The Last Season is almost sure to satisfy. Layered with a mystery, romantic love, natural history and one man's fascination with the Sierra Nevada mountains; Eric Blehm's National Outdoor Book Award winner will keep you "turning pages."

Review Of Crimes Against Nature, Charles Yaple

Taproot: A Journal of Outdoor Education

Crimes Against Nature... is a must read for all students of American Conservation history. As the full title suggests there is an untold story about the beginnings of conservation in America especially in terms of how government policies and new laws impacted the traditional livelihoods of local people - natives and long-term residents alike.

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 "Youth for Nature and Environment" and the "Wildlife Management Institute."

Professional Organizations, Coalition For Education In The Outdoors

Taproot: A Journal of Outdoor Education

This section lists organizations pertinent to the field of Outdoor Education and Environmental Conservation. Some organizations include: WEA (Wilderness Education Association) and the "Soil and Water Conservation Society."

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: "Outdoor adventure pursuits: Foundations, models, and theories" and "Investigating adventure experiences: An experiential sampling approach".

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 "New Publication: The Hiking Deck by Rick Curtis" and a "Green Charter School Network."

Professional Organizations, Coalition For Education In The Outdoors

Taproot: A Journal of Outdoor Education

This section includes numerous professional organizations for those working in outdoor education and environmental or conservation education at the time of publication. Some of the options included "EEAA" (the Environmental Education Association of Alabama) and "NYSOEA" (the New York State Outdoor Education Association).

Review Of Never Finished Just Begun, Charles Yaple

Taproot: A Journal of Outdoor Education

As the complete title indicates, this book is “A Narrative History of L.B. Sharp and Outdoor Education.” The review that follows is anything but unbiased. How could it be otherwise when the subject matter involves the originator of the very term, “outdoor education” and its fiercest proponent for nearly forty years? And, like many heroic tales, it is the story of one man’s passion, struggles, setbacks, personal sacrifices, and successes.

From The Editor, Charles Yaple

Taproot: A Journal of Outdoor Education

It is tempting to begin by using the “old saw” about the dangers of ignoring history. Reading about the teaching philosophies of outdoor education pioneers Joseph Cogswell, Frederick Gunn, and L.B. Sharp causes one to wonder how we have allowed young people to become so disconnected from the natural world. A case can be made to indict today’s teachers. But then, we modern parents also would have to “face the music.”

Review Of Champions Of The Wilderness, Charles Yaple

Taproot: A Journal of Outdoor Education

Like its present companion in the Earth Heroes series, Champions of the Wilderness is well written and illustrated. Again, it too is aimed at young readers but will interest even seasoned outdoor educators hoping to learn a little more about one of their personal heroes. Heroes included in this edition are: Henry David Thoreau, John Muir, Theodore Roosevelt, Aldo Leopold, Richard St. Barbe Baker, Margaret Murie, David Suzuki, and Wangari Maathai.

Frederick Gunn: Pioneer In Outdoor Education, Paula G. Krimsky

Taproot: A Journal of Outdoor Education

“In 1850, Frederick William Gunn, educator, prominent abolitionist, and outdoorsman, along with his wife, Abigail Brinsmade Gunn, founded The Gunnery in Washington, Connecticut.”

The founder’s name alone alerts the unfamiliar to the fact that The Gunnery is not a military school, but an eponymous reflection of a man and his vision.

He was a unique individual with a decidedly different view of education in the Victorian era, but he was not an egotist. The school was simply inseparable from the man, and to some extent, it still is. He left a lasting legacy to the institution, its students, the town …

Noba Awards For Historical-Biography Books, Coalition For Education In The Outdoors

Taproot: A Journal of Outdoor Education

This section contains a listing of award winning historical and biographical books that can be used in the field of outdoor education. Some books listed include: "A River Running West: The Life of John Wesley Powell" by By Donald Worster and "The Last Season" by Eric Blehm.

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 include: "US Play Coalition" and "Report maps out solutions to child obesity."

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 the "Four Corners School of Outdoor Education" and the "Institute of Theology and Ecology at the Orthodox Academy of Crete."

Review Of Champions Of The Ocean, Charles Yaple

Taproot: A Journal of Outdoor Education

Champions of the Oceans is the first, alphabetically, of two books published by Dawn Publications in their Earth Heroes series. Written for young readers, these books profile people who have devoted their lives to understand and protect the natural world.

Lloyd Burgess Sharp, Julie A. Carlson

Taproot: A Journal of Outdoor Education

Lloyd Burgess Sharp first coined the term outdoor education in the 1943 issue of Extending Education (Knapp, 2002), a publication of the honor society, Kappa Delta Pi.

That year, however, did not mark the beginning of the field as it is known today. His work in sparking and shaping the outdoor education movement began years earlier as a graduate student at Columbia University in New York. During his master’s and doctorate programs in physical education, he studied under William Heard Kilpatrick, John Dewey, and other renowned professors at the time who were experimenting with combining leadership, camping, and educational philosophies …

Review Of Interpreting Our Heritage, Angelique Bovee

Taproot: A Journal of Outdoor Education

I arrived complete with my Smokey Bear hat in hand as a new seasonal Park Ranger for the Saratoga National Historical Park. I was worried that since I did not have a history background I would find myself constantly fumbling through the people, places and dates that surrounded the park’s historic events. In the weeks leading up to my official interpretive training, I consumed as much information as I could about the “turning point of the revolutionary war,” desperately wishing I paid more attention in Mrs. Roberts seventh grade American History class.

Joseph Green Cogswell, Charles Yaple

Taproot: A Journal of Outdoor Education

No history of outdoor education could have a proper beginning without recognition of Joseph Cogswell and his Round Hill School for boys. Cogswell’s reliance on the outdoors as a context for learning is undeniable as was his premise that active indoor and outdoor pursuits are key to physical and mental health. Advocates of today’s “No Child Left Inside” movement would do well to read Cogswell’s complete prescription for raising healthy children.

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.