This is a news update from the Association for Experiential Education. Please contribute ideas or comments to membership@aee.org.

New Member of the Family

AEE's Director of Accreditation, Henry Wood, and his wife Mary Kathryn welcomed Elizabeth "Miller" Wood to the world on Monday, April 28th at 10:45pm. She is a little one, weighing in at 6 pounds, 14 ounces. Both MK and Miller are doing great. Congratulations Henry!

AEE Board of Directors Election Begins Next Week

Online balloting will begin on May 15th and run until mid-July for the AEE Board of Directors election. Watch for an email announcing the election process and introducing the candidates for President-Elect, Member-at-Large, and Region- and Group-Sponsored Members. Successful candidates will take office in November 2008 at the AEE Annual International Conference.

Mid-Atlantic Regional Conference Highlights

By Al Rock, Mid-Atlantic Council Chair and Conference Convener

A celebration of "Experiential Learning-Inside & Outside" is what brought the Mid-Atlantic together for its 2008 region conference. The weather's cooperation helped to make the outside part even more enjoyable for all the attendees.  Read more 

Northeast Regional Conference Highlights

By Julie Clemons, Conference Convener

The 2008 Northeast Regional Conference theme-Learn Where You Are-reflected our goal of drawing together the communities of outdoor educators and K-12 educators into the common ground of experiential, place-based education.  We were fortunate to have David Sobel of Antioch University and Promise of Place as our keynote speaker on Friday night, and we continued the Northeast Region tradition of the Josh Miner Dialogue Series on Saturday night. Read more

Tom Lindblade Attends New EE Program Launch in Mexico

Tom Lindblade represented AEE at the opening ceremony for the new Leadership and Challenge Center at the University of Monterrey (UDEM). This organization has started the accreditation process and is moving forward with calculated progress because the standards manual had to be translated before they could begin the self-study. Tom put together a short video documentary of his trip to this event.

To view the film clip, click here

Member Profile - 

2007's Outstanding Teacher of the Year:  Carrie McGown

By Ben Moore, graduate student, UNH Outdoor Education Program

Since 1997, AEE has recognized one individual each year as the "Outstanding Experiential Teacher of the Year." In 2007, that honor was awarded to Carrie McGown, originally from Parry Sound, Ontario, currently a Ph.D. candidate in Education at the University of New Hampshire. Read more 

Set your sites on a new www.aee.org 

In June, AEE will launch a faster and easier website to help you stay current, get connected, and do business. "Site Search" will allow you to quickly find anything, from a book or conference to your regional group, directly from the home page. Shopping in the eStore will require less typing and take less time. The calendar is loaded with events and easy to use. Content has been updated. You will be able to find a program or member using multiple fields. Look for more information in your inbox and mailbox soon.

Mexico To Be Added to AEE Regions Regions play a significant role in AEE by providing opportunities for members in close proximity to meet and stay connected with AEE and with each other. Joel Cryer, Chair of the Mid-South Region, is spearheading the effort to add Mexico to the regional map and is encouraging you to send him your ideas and feedback. It is proposed that the West, Rocky Mountain, and Mid-South regions each be assigned to a three way split of the country. Please send comments to Joel Cryer. 

Membership Survey Tidbit

The member survey sent out in late February included the question, "What are the challenges you face in your practice of experiential education?"

Total number of responses to this question:  213. Respondents could check more than one of the 9 categories and/or specify another.

The top challenges facing members include: "gaining approval of EE"  (55%) and "validating the effectiveness of EE'" (55%), followed by "securing funding" (43%), and "changing the way things are done" (43%). Not having enough time was the most common challenge written in. Read more. Comments? membership@aee.org

Safety Bulletin - May 9, 2008

KONG CARABINER, an oval carabiner, poses a risk of injuries because it does not withstand the static strength test which could lead to falls. Source: The Rapid Alert System for Non-Food Products (RAPEX) Read more.

YATES GEAR HARNESSES, the quick release buckles used on leg portions are apt to come undone. Any user of harnesses containing quick release STABLOCK buckle systems who have safety concerns about the integrity of their buckles can return the Harness to YATES GEAR Inc. and the buckles will be replaced with standard CAMLOCK buckles at no charge to the customer. John Yates at Yates Gear, Inc. Source: Email from Yates Gear, Inc.