Outward Bound Hong Kong Receives AEE Accreditation - First program outside of North America to earn this distinction
November 17, 2011 After more than 18 months of in-depth internal and external assessment and review, Outward Bound Hong Kong (OBHK) has been granted Accredited Status by the Accreditation Council of the Association for Experiential Education (AEE). This accreditation, which is valid for five years and renewable thereafter, is based on compliance with AEE standards addressing philosophical, educational & ethical principles, program governance, program oversight and management of activities, human resources (staff selection, hiring, training and supervision), transportation, equipment, nutrition and hygiene, venue selection and appropriateness, international considerations, environment and culture, and technical activities – land and water based. Attaining accredited status through the AEE Accreditation Program is solid evidence of an organization’s commitment to quality and safety, belief in professional standards, and allocation of resources toward continued excellence and improvement. Programs that achieve AEE Accredited Status can be confident that they meet or exceed recognized industry standards.
Outward Bound Hong Kong was founded in 1970, earning the distinction of the first outdoor experiential education organization in Greater China. Courses are designed to assist participants to develop self-confidence, cohesiveness, team development, leadership resilience and fostering a greater sense of personal responsibility. It is a Charter member of Outward Bound International, which was established in 1941 and has expanded its presence into over thirty countries around the world. Each year about 7000 people complete an Outward Bound course within Hong Kong, and globally over 250,000 participants undertake an Outward Bound course each year.
"External accreditation represents a commitment for continuous improvement and a dedication to excellence in programming "said Jon D’Almeida, Executive Director of Outward Bound Hong Kong. " We extend this commitment to our current and future clients, and are dedicated to ensuring we are at the forefront of experiential education within our region"
"We’re truly proud to add Outward Bound Hong Kong to our growing list of accredited programs," said Shawn Tierney, AEE director of programs. "The integrity of the organization and the quality of their programming is exceptional. Knowing that OBHK meets the highest standards in the field of adventure education should give tremendous confidence to their clientele, staff and supporters. We’re also thrilled to announce that Outward Bound Hong Kong is the first program outside of North America to earn AEE accreditation!" "It became evident during the external review that OBHK is an exemplary organization on many levels, but what truly impressed the review team was their authentic aspiration to continuous improvement, excellence and best practices combined with flexibility and enthusiasm to innovate and change when necessary" added Mark Rowland, lead reviewer for the external peer review of the organization.
Asheville School’s Mountaineering Program Receives AEE Accreditation
The South's premier co-ed boarding school received accreditation from the Association of Experiential Education for its 43-year-old mountaineering program. Asheville School, a college preparatory high school, is one of only 11 secondary schools in the world with an outdoor program of this caliber.
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Ellie Cohn, an Asheville School junior from Georgetown, SC, enjoys rockclimbing on the South Side of Looking Glass Rock in Pisgah National Forest near Brevard, NC.
I was very impressed with the tremendous resources the program has at its disposal -- everything from state-of-the-art on-site facilities, superb equipment, and access to world-class outdoor opportunities.
(PRWEB) October 02, 2011
The mountaineering program at Asheville School, the South’s premier co-ed college preparatory boarding school, recently joined the ranks of the world’s top tier outdoor programs after it became one of only 11 secondary schools worldwide to receive an Association of Experiential Education Accreditation.
Ed Maggart, Director of Mountaineering at Asheville School for the last 25 years, was thrilled when the Association of Experiential Education granted Initial Accredited status to the school’s mountaineering program earlier this month.
“We have always had an outstanding Mountaineering Program at Asheville School and now we are in a small community of top tier accredited outdoor programs,” Maggart said.
This accreditation, which is valid for five years, is based on compliance with the following AEE standards: Philosophical, Educational & Ethical Principles, Program Governance, Program Oversight and Management of Activities, Human Resources (Staff Selection, Hiring, Training and Supervision), Transportation, Equipment, Nutrition, and Hygiene, Venue Selection and Appropriateness, Environment and Culture, and Technical Skills – Land and /or Water Based.
"Asheville School's Mountaineering Program is truly an exemplary program. What impressed me most, however, was the caliber of the staff. From the inspirational leadership of Ed Maggart to the dedicated instructional staff, they are an amazing group of passionate educators committed to providing remarkable experiences for their students,” said Shawn Tierney, AEE Director of Programs and Lead Reviewer for the external peer review of the program. “I was very impressed with the tremendous resources the program has at its disposal -- everything from state-of-the-art on-site facilities, superb equipment, and access to world-class outdoor opportunities. In short, Asheville School and its Mountaineering Program are most deserving of the highest accolades!"
