Outdoor education
is a term that refers to
participation in
organized outdoor activities that are designed to
promote
learning about the environment. Some programshave specific
goals such as developing:
Leadership skills
Survival skills
Problem-solving
Personal and social development
Team work
Outward Boundis an example of such a
program designed to
build character.
However, participants do not need have any goal
other than fun.
Outdoor experiences may include but are not limited to:
Hiking and backpacking/camping
Canoeing, rafting, sailing,
kayaking
Skiing/snowshoeing, ice
climbing
Ropes courses, rock climbing,
rapelling
Cycling
Horse riding
Outdoor activities
provide an opportunity to exercise and
socialize in a
non-competitive atmosphere.
These sports promote sensory integration
because the muscles and joints work
hard as one pulls on ropes, pushes
on ski poles and carries a backpack. Rotary, linear and up and down vestibular
stimulation is provided during
horse back riding, skiing, cycling and boating. Participants also
receive sensory
stimulationfrom
the sights, sounds, touches, smells and even
tastes found in the outdoors.
Children with developmental disabiilties,
including autism may especially benefit from the these outdoor
activities.
One of the best ways to expose children to outdoor education is through summer camp. The
American Camp Associationis a community of
camp
professionals who have joined together to ensure camp quality. The ACA
accredits over 2,400 camps and collaborates with the following youth
organizations:
Some parents of
children with special needs choose to send their children
to camps designed specifically to
meet their needs. The following
links provide listings of special needs camps. My
summer Camps Very Special Camps Family Village
Teens with emotional
problems may benefit from Wilderness therapy. These
programs place
chidren in a challenging enviornment where the goals are to
communicate and learn about
team work. Wilderness therapy programs may
vary greatly in terms of quality
and philosophy. Some may promise behavior modifcationand
others may be based on a
military model. Wilderness Therapy
Resources
Outdoor
experiences are not only for children. Adults can enjoy organized
outdoor activities with only
adults or other families with organizations
such as:
