Our History

In the early 1970s, a group of educators assembled in Boone, North Carolina, USA, to discuss ways in which education could be made more relevant for students. This group believed that the core of learning is greatly enhanced by experiential forms of education. Now, more than 1,550 members in 33 countries around the globe are part of that discussion.

AEE members have affiliations in education, recreation, outdoor and adventure programming, the environment, mental health, youth development, programming for people with disabilities, service learning, and organizational development. The work of our members is unique, inspiring and meaningful, and contributes greatly to the well-being and education of individuals, communities and work environments.