Please join us!

Please join us for the 36th Annual AEE International Conference in Vancouver, Washington.

Why register today? Laurie Frank, reflecting on last year's conference in November 2007, said it best:

"I have had the privilege of attending every conference for the past 15 years or so, and each one has helped me grow as an educator and a person. In my view, this conference served as a bridge between what we like to call "traditional" education and "experiential" education. AEE is a home for many of us who tread in both worlds. I was reminded that we are more unified than divided in our pursuit of just-plain-good education. As I reflect on the conference, I can only see it as an amazing gift."

Frontier Airlines is offering 10% discounts on flights for AEE Annual International Conference attendees. Visit Frontier and select more search options. Please use the Meeting ID 4Q3QAZ.  

AEE & NSEE Formalize a Partnership

From Paul Limoges, AEE CEO

I attended the National Society for Experiential Education Board of Directors meeting and national conference in Florida in September 2008, and came away very encouraged about the two organizations working together. The AEE Board approved the partnership between AEE and NSEE. Members of NSEE will be in attendance at the AEE International Conference including either the Chair of the NSEE Board, Al Cabral, or a NSEE representative. Initiatives for AEE and NSEE include:

• Advocating for EE
• Collaborating on promotional efforts
• Participating in cooperative conferences
• Providing articles for publications

For more information, please contact me.

New Accreditation Manager 

Please welcome Shawn Tierney 

From Paul Limoges, AEE CEO

I am very happy to introduce Shawn Tierney as the new Accreditation Manager. He started work for AEE on October 6, 2008 and will be on hand at the AEE Annual International Conference in Vancouver, Washington. On Friday, November 7th at 8:45am, Shawn will present a workshop with Jude Hirsch, Chair of the Accreditation Council, entitled "Accreditation 101."

More information about Shawn Tierney.

Dr. Jayson Seaman on the "End of the Learning Cycles Era"

By Dr. Jayson Seaman, Dept. of Kinesiology, University of New Hampshire, Durham
 
Why do you want to help define what experiential education is?

I am motivated to be part of the conversation on "What is experiential education?" because it is of central relevance to me as a researcher. A major part of research is communicating what perspective was used to frame your study. This led me to search for a more precise definition of experiential learning as part of my doctoral work. And I found that many of the models in the EE literature didn't help me see new patterns or capture the depth of learning I had observed over the years. I also struggled to see how the models fit into more established scientific or philosophical traditions. This is why I decided to look at experiential learning models historically, to see where they came from. I learned that the origins of many of the 'learning cycle' models were not well defined or had been adapted along the way from different ideas.
Read more.

Women's Wilderness Institute

From an interview with Jody Radtke, Program Director, Women's Wilderness Institute

"You can do more than you think you can." This is the lesson that Jody Radtke has been teaching students for many years in her role as Program Manager for The Women's Wilderness Institute (TWWI) in Boulder. She does this by applying her Master's in Therapy and her many athletic talents to teach backcountry training with meaningful life skills. In describing her work, she says, "It's about teaching women to be real and to find their unique voice."
Read more.

Experiential Education Related Opportunities and Events

• The AEE Regional Conference Information is available online at http://www.aee.org/conferences/regionalConf
• The Fulbright Scholar Program offers U.S. faculty, administrators and professionals grants to lecture or do research in a wide variety of academic and professional fields, or to participate in seminars. For information on the 2009 Fulbright Scholar Awards, see www.cies.org for descriptions of awards and new eligibility requirements. 
• Announcing the Inaugural Outdoor Leadership Research Symposium (OLRS) at the 2009 National Conference on Outdoor Leadership, Bloomington, Indiana, February 5-7, 2009. CALL FOR ABSTRACTS. The symposium is being held in conjunction with the National Conference on Outdoor Leadership, sponsored annually by the Wilderness Education Association (WEA). Contact symposium co-chairs: Bruce Martin or Marni Goldenberg.
• Announcing the Fifth International Adventure Therapy Conference (5IATC) being held in the United Kingdom in September 2009, has released a call for papers. If you have specific questions about 5IATC, please contact John Conway, conway@omniyouth.org, or Christian Itin, ci3@humboldt.edu, who are the US representatives to the 5IATC committee.  

Experiential Education in the News

NATWC Conference Expands Focus
Lon Woodbury, MA, IECA, CEP
Woodbury Reports, October 13, 2008

Out of trouble and into a future
By Noor Javed
Toronto Star, October 13, 2008

Magic moments at Angel Wood Alpaca Farm (Project U.S.E.)By Kevin Lechiski
Warran Reporter, October 12, 2008

A Kayak in the Library?!
By Meggan
Mussgettinfo Blog, October 9, 2008

Interaction with Nature during the Middle Years: Its Importance in Children's Development & Nature's Future
By Randy White
White Hutchinson Leisure & Learning Group, Posted October 2008

36th Annual International PG, AG and Regional Meetings 

See when and where your Professional, Affiliation, and Regional Group Annual Meetings will be taking place at the Hilton in Vancouver, Washington.

From Matt Peterson, Ohio University

The emerging Social Justice Affiliation Group (logo shown at right) is dedicated to the principles of promoting social justice through education and making experiential education accessible to all people.  During our meeting at the conference, we will be discussing establishing a mission and goals for our affiliation group, as well as learning about each others' commitments to social justice.  Please join the Emerging Social Justice Affiliation Group on Saturday morning 7:30am in the Heritage Room of the Hilton in Vancouver. For more information about this group or to receive email updates prior to the conference, please contact Matt Peterson (petersm1@ohio.edu).

Partner Announcements

NOLS offers the strongest Risk Management Training in the industry - and at a discount to AEE members.
NOLS has several relevant and well-attended classes coming up including

• 10/24-25, Bend, Oregon
• 10/28-29, San Diego, California

AEE members receive a 10% discount. Accredited members receive a 25% discount.

For more information or to enroll, please contact NOLS Professional Training at 800-710-6657, x3, nolspro@nols.edu

Outdoor ProLink

Has launched the following brands:  Big Agnes, Lafuma, Millet, Mammut. Please visit Outdoor ProLink online for more details. Log in  

LEAPware has a new Fall Catalog, exciting management software in the works and a forthcoming LEAP Magazine. Please visit LEAPware's website to download a catalog and/or sign up to receive information on our software/magazine: www.leap-ware.com. AEE members receive 10% off all orders when using the following code: AEEX2008

Teamwork Coaching
The Manager As Coach Boot Camp (http://www.managerascoachbootcamp.com) is the premier VIRTUAL leadership development program and a new 4-week Level-1 course starts on October 28.  Cost is normally $295, but AEE members will receive a $100 discount with the following Coupon Code:  MACLEVEL1   Satisfaction is guaranteed or you get your money back. For more information, email to Tom Heck and include the following in the subject line:  AEE 7 Qualities.  Visit the website