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TAPG Mission

The mission of the Therapeutic Adventure Professional Group is to engage practitioners in the development and promotion of adventure as a therapeutic approach.

TAPG Statement of Purpose

Therapeutic Adventure is the professional group for those AEE members who work within the fields of health, mental health, corrections, education, and other human service fields. Our primary purpose is to facilitate networking for professionals within our various fields and share information, techniques, and concerns regarding the therapeutic use of adventure. We define therapeutic as moving toward healthy change with intentional interventions. We represent the interests of this community to the Board and larger professional communities through workshops, conference and pre-conference activities, and best practices development.

Find us on Facebook

This website is an evolving statement by AEE's Therapeutic Adventure Professional Group (TAPG) aimed at describing our professional group. It is an effort to bring about an open forum for discussion and learning that is representative of this field of practice. We invite a broad range of readers including practitioners, insurance companies, government monitors, other professional organizations, students, teachers, consumers, and the general public. We do not assume that our thoughts are inclusive of every application of adventure therapy across the world or even within the United States. 

Have Questions? Want more information? Email us at tapg@aee.org 

Join our email list

Make sure you're on the list to receive our regular Insights Newsletter, providing updates about news, events and research in the worlds of Adventure Therapy and Therapeutic Adventure.

If you are NOT in our system yet: If you want to join our email list to stay up-to-date on TAPG news, click here to create an account. You can opt-in to TAPG newsletters.

If you ARE in our system already: If you would like to update your email preferences, just head to your Member Compass to update your profile information. You can opt-in to TAPG newsletters. (Head to your Profile tab, and scroll down to profile information. There is a field called 'TAPG Preferences' where you can select yes or no (or possibly if you'd like to try it out for a bit!)

Therapeutic Adventure Professional Group (TAPG) Webinar Series

About the Series: The Therapeutic Adventure Professional Group developed the annual webinar series to provide more opportunities for individuals interested in receiving additional training and education specific to working in adventure therapy and therapeutic adventure settings in a more accessible format. Each of these webinars offer two hours of training in the various core competencies required for certification as a Certified Clinical Adventure Therapist or a Certified Therapeutic Adventure Specialist. About the AEE Certification Program

2025 TAPG Pre-Conference: CALL FOR PROPOSALS!

TAPG Pre-Conference for the 2025 AEE International Conference

Nov. 4th & 5th, 2025 in Pittsburgh, PA

We are excited to announce that the 2025 theme is,  "Adventure Therapy: Bridging Gaps, Empowering Change".

Adventure Therapy has the power to bridge divides—between individuals and communities, theory and practice, tradition and innovation. This pre-conference experience is designed for practitioners, researchers, and advocates eager to explore how experiential methods can break down barriers, foster connection, and drive meaningful transformation. Through hands-on workshops, collaborative discussions, and immersive experiences, we will deepen our understanding of how Adventure Therapy can create access, cultivate resilience, and empower change in diverse settings. Whether you’re a seasoned practitioner or new to the field, join us as we step into the space where challenge meets growth, and where adventure becomes a catalyst for lasting impact.  

Coming off of a record setting Pre-Conference in Estes Park, Colorado-2024, we want to continue our focus this year of offering workshops which will support our JEDI (justice, equity, diversity & inclusion) values and assist you in attaining the Certified Clinical Adventure Therapist (CCAT) and Certified Therapeutic Adventure Specialist (CTAS) credentials. We are excited and hopeful to have a wide array of subject areas for this year's Pre-Conference and strongly encourage presenters to include hands-on opportunities for participants to learn and apply experiential techniques based on your workshop content.

Pre-Conference, as well as the AEE Main Conference, will be held at the Wyndham Grand Pittsburgh Downtown in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, right next to Point State Park  - so think big when you are creating your proposed workshop! 

Please feel free to reach out with any questions to the conference convener, Marlene 'Marl' Reinert , directly at TAPG@aee.org .

All presenters will be eligible for discounted conference registration rates.

DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSIONS IS May 3, 2024.

Please feel free to forward the Pre-Conference information and proposal links to friends and colleagues!

Don’t be afraid to cross that bridge this year.  We look forward to seeing you on the other side. 

Adventure Therapy Best Practices

AEE's Therapeutic Adventure Professional Group(TAPG) has been engaged in efforts to produce a statement of best practice for adventure therapy (AT) since 2001, with writing beginning in 2007. TAPG has coordinated Adventure Therapy Best Practices conferences that have, and continue, to serve as catalysts for this effort. The intent of this effort is to identify, establish, and promote appropriate AT practices. The following is to be considered a working document in its attempt to provide preferred programming standards for the administration of adventure and wilderness therapy programs. This statement will reside on the TAPG website and be updated as the field grows in knowledge and understanding. Please click here to access the best practices document

Get Certified! 

As the field of Adventure Therapy progresses forward, evolves and gains popularity, professionals from the wide variety of Adventure Therapy settings have come together to express an interest and a need for greater professionalism in Adventure Therapy. After the tremendous efforts of those involved in creating the Adventure Therapy Best Practices, and the advent of specific certification standards that meet the needs of Outdoor Behavioral Healthcare Council programs, a growing need for an adventure therapy certification became more and more apparent. Learn more about the AEE Certified Clinical Adventure Therapist (CCAT) & Certified Therapeutic Adventure Specialist Certifications here. 

   Meet The Leadership Council

The Leadership Council structure affords the most representation of membership possible, supporting the community and mission and purpose of TAPG. The Council coordinates activities and provides direction for the professional group. Leadership Council members serve for a term of 3 years.

Click to Meet the Council

Shannon Kaecker (she/her)

Chair

As a social worker and clinician, Shannon has experience working in community mental health, juvenile justice, child welfare, outpatient therapy, as well as clinical supervision. Shannon is currently providing community-based services to youth in care with the intent of preserving placements, as well as training and education for emerging adventure therapists in Northern Illinois. Outside of these roles, she enjoys camping and hiking with her dog, reading, and crocheting.

Christy Brock (she/her)

Outgoing Chair

Location: Cincinnati, OH / Indigenous land of the Myaamia, Shawandasse Tula (Shawanwaki/Shawnee), Kaskaskia,  Hopewell Culture, and Adena

Years on the LC: 4 - Past roles: Pre-Conference Coordinator, Member-at-Large

Communities of Practice: Higher education, teaching / training / supervision, community mental health, non-profit, private practice

How did you find / learn about AT?  When I was in undergrad, I went to a company picnic with someone at a camp. As we walked to the zip line, I heard our facilitator talking about having her MSW. As I was in school for my BSW, I asked her what she did with her degree. She told me she was an adventure therapist. I then proceeded to ask if she needed an intern. She said she did, and I instantly fell in love with adventure therapy. (The facilitator was Kim Sacksteder!)

Show you’re currently binging: Schitt's Creek (again, always. Ew, David.)

Ask me about… Anything. I'm an open book, and love to chat with folx about pretty much anything.

Federico A. Borroel, MS, LPC-S, CCAT

Vice Chair

Federico A. Borroel, MS, LPC-S, CCAT, aka Fred, has rejoined the TAPG Leadership Council (LC) in the role of Vice Chair. Fred formed RelateAbility, PLLC and San Antonio Adventure Therapy, PLLC after serving in the non-profit sector as a program director, counselor, trainer, grant writer, and clinical supervisor. He specializes in relationship building among families, students, and professional colleagues. Fred aims to help cultivate strong teams of educators and social service professionals through experiential learning activities and empowering conversations, one experience at a time. He has held a range of servant leader positions with the Association for Experiential Education to include the Chair position of the Association’s Therapeutic Adventure Professional Group and the Association’s Certification Council. He has been awarded the AEE's Servant Leader Award and the Heart of Adventure Therapy Award. The LC will benefit greatly from his historical knowledge of AEE and TAPG as we continue to work to implement elements of the Strategic Plan.

Alex White, MS, CMHC, CCAT (he/him)

alexwhite.cmhc@gmail.com

I’m Alex White (he/him). I am a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor and Certified Clinical Adventure Therapist (CCAT) based in Salt Lake City, Utah. I am the Chair of the Leadership Council of the Therapeutic Adventure Professional Group, a small but mighty community of dedicated adventure therapy (AT) / therapeutic adventure (TA) enthusiasts from across the field. We represent different backgrounds, cultures, specializations, and areas of practice, and are committed to providing opportunities for learning and connection in this realm for which we are all so passionate. Thank you for your interest and involvement in the TAPG community! 

Marl Reinert, MSW, LCSW, CCAT (she/they)

Conference Convener

Location: Sitka, Alaska, USA / Indigenous land of the Lingít Aaní (Tlingit)

Communities of practice: Residential treatment / community mental health / non-profit / private practice

Years involved with AEE / TAPG: 5 and counting!

Favorite AT activity: Canoeing and Teambuilding/Low Ropes

What does TAPG mean to you?: TAPG has been a space to grow, create, learn, improve, celebrate, and laugh with other like-minded folks.  I am excited to be able to give back to this community in similar ways that I received as well as give in new ways!

If you could have dinner with any three people, dead or alive, who would they be? Maya Angelou, Ze Frank, and Irvin Yalom

Ask me about… Arts & crafts; La Croix; Canoeing; baking; Jellyfish and other marine life; curriculum development; board games

Lindsay Myrick, MS, LCPC-S (she/they)

Secretary

Location: Gooding, Idaho, USA / Indigenous land of the Shoshone Bannock

Community of Practice: Outdoor Behavioral Healthcare

Years involved with AEE / TAPG: At least 8

How are you using / integrating AT into your current professional life?

I am a primary therapist at an OBH program so AT is one of the core modalities I utilize with individual clients, groups and families. I am also a supervisor and the primary modality I use in group supervision is experiential education. 

What does adventure mean for you in your life: I don't know how to function without it. I also think adventure is more of a state of mind and engagement, rather than a certain type of activity.

Best / most embarrassing trend you participated in: Frosted tips of my hair in middle school. Looked like a boy band wannabe. It was bad. 

Ask me about… Wilderness Therapy, Integrating EMDR and Adventure Therapy, Prescott College, Research 

Deb Lehman

Treasurer

Location: Island Lake, Illinois

Communities of Practice: Private Practice

How long have you been involved with AEE/TAPG? 12 years

How did you find/learn about AT? A friend of mine worked with John Conway and we were planning a women's wilderness trip. John suggested I come to TAPG Precon and the rest is history.

What does TAPG mean to you? It is my safe space, my home, my inspiration and my teacher.

If you could have dinner with any three people (dead or alive) who would they be? Pink, Brene' Brown, Ruth Bader Ginsberg

Ask me about…I LOVE the enneagram, anything to do with the neurobiology development and how trauma affects the brain/nervous system.

Jay Pepitone, MA, NCC, LPCC (he/him)

Marketing and Communications Coordinator

Location: Eagle County, Colorado, USA / Indigenous land of the Núu-agha-tʉvʉ-pʉ̱ (Ute)

Communities of Practice: K-12 Schools, Higher Education, Teaching / training / supervision, Community Mental Health, Non-profit, Private Practice

Years involved with AEE / TAPG: 2

What does TAPG mean to you?

A community of individuals with a magical mixture of commonalities and differences that inspire and support each other while working together to grow the field of Adventure Therapy.

Show you’re currently binging: Captain Planet

Ask me about…Clinical Curriculum Development for Groups, Rock Climbing Therapy, Juggling Therapy, School-based Therapy (k-12), Clinical Use of Humor

Erin Carpenter, MA, CTRS (she/her)

Member-at-Large

Location: Tacoma, WA, USA / Indigenous land of the Puyallup, Cayuse, Umatilla, and Walla Walla

Communities of Practice: Higher Education, Residential Treatment, Research, Community Mental Health, Non-profit

Years on the LC: 1 - Past role: Secretary

What does TAPG mean to you? TAPG has been an opportunity to connect with like minded people doing similar work. This community has been humble, kind, and willing to share knowledge. In the short time I’ve been involved with TAPG I’ve gained clarity, confidence, and affirmation for the work I do. 

Go-to karaoke song: Just a Girl, by No Doubt

Ask me about…

I am interested in bringing in voices from other allied health care professions into this community.  I also have a background in organizational development with interests in whole system and universal design.

Tony Alvarez, LMSW (he/him)

Member-at-Large

Location: Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA / Indigenous land of the Anishinaabe, Odawa, Ojibwe, Wyando, Fox, Sauk, Shawnee, Kickapoo, Miami, Musketoon, and Cherokee.

Community of Practice: Teaching / training / supervision

Years on the LC: 1 (this time around)

What does TAPG mean to you?

A professional home, a responsibility, an ethical stance, a safe home for friends and colleagues!

What does adventure mean for you in your own life?

My kids have engaged in adventure play for much of their lives. Birthday parties for any of them were "the talk of the town", so to speak!

My life is guided by the 7 adventure beliefs and I strive daily to walk that talk!

Also, nature and the outdoors and an active lifestyle are ever present!

Ask me about…

Any and all questions and topics that are relevant to this work are available topics to engage in conversation about!

Renee Roark (they/them)

Renee Roark is honored to join the TAPG leadership council this year as a member at large. The AEE and TAPG communities mean the world to Renee! Renee feels privileged to be in this role and contribute to the growth of an organization that has given them so much. Renee has met many amazing individuals through this organization who continue to inspire and challenge them to be the best personal and professional version of themself. 

Renee’s background is in Outdoor Education from Georgia College and Adventure Therapy from Prescott College. Renee has worked in many settings including corporate team building, challenge courses, wilderness therapy, addiction counseling and residential treatment. In 2023, Renee opened their private practice in West Tennessee offering adventure therapy to clients. During their free time they enjoy hiking, backpacking and taking solo adventures with nature. Renee also loves artistic expression in many forms and has enjoyed leading a seasonal poetry circle throughout this past year. Renee is a yogi, pet mom, baker, gardner, and tea enthusiast. Renee is grateful for this opportunity and looks forward to the adventure.

TAPG Awards: Mark Ames Scholarship & Heart of Adventure Therapy

Heart of Adventure Therapy Award
The Heart of Adventure Therapy Award is given yearly to either an organization or an individual who embodies the heart of adventure therapy! The purpose of the award is to honor an individual, organization or program that provides exemplary adventure therapy services. This individual or organization should exhibit the mission and vision of the Association for Experiential Education, and should also employ TAPG’s Best Practices. TAPG members will nominate agencies they feel are deserving of the award and TAPG Leadership Council members will vote on this award. Nominations will be solicited in January each year from the Leadership Council.

2024 Heart of Adventure Therapy Award Winner: Anita R. Tucker, LICSW, PhD, CCAT

The TAPG Heart of Adventure Therapy Award (HOAT) was created in 2014 to honor and celebrate individuals and organizations that provide exemplary adventure therapy services.  The winner of the HOAT award exhibits the mission and vision of the Association for Experiential Education, exercises TAPG’s best practices, and represents the heart and soul of our work.  

This year’s recipient has been described by her peers and mentors as “one of the most important researchers…”, having an “amazing way of connecting with the field and connecting others within the field…”, “one of the most well-rounded practitioners… as a researcher… professor… teacher…”, having a “passion for student engagement…”, and “an exceptional teacher, facilitator, and mentor.”  She has contributed to countless research articles and several books.  Her work has been cited over 1500 times! Please join us in celebrating the passionate, prolific Dr. Anita R. Tucker as this year’s 2024 Heart of Adventure Therapy Award winner!

Anita R. Tucker, LICSW, PhD, CCAT is a Professor of Social Work at the University of New Hampshire(UNH) where she coordinates UNH's dual master's degree in social work and recreation management preparing clinical social workers for careers in adventure therapy. Dr. Tucker's passion is in helping to bring to life the impact of the work done by the amazing practitioners in the field, while also challenging us to remain critical of our work in an effort to promote best practices, trauma responsive interventions and anti-oppressive practices. 

Collaboration is a guiding tenet of her work, knowing that power is better shared, and the products of collaboration are always stronger. She is a co-author of the textbook, Adventure Group Psychotherapy: An Experiential Guide to Practice, with their second book, Individual Adventure Psychotherapy to be published in 2025. She has over 50 peer reviewed publications and has presented for AEE at conferences since the late 1990s. For 10 years she was the Associate Director of the Outdoor Behavioral Healthcare Center whose efforts moved the field of adventure and wilderness therapy forward through research. She is excited to step into her new role as the Co-Coordinator with Dr. Christine Lynn Norton of the Outdoor Research Collaborative for Health, Wellbeing and Experiential Engagement with an increased focus on broadening the scope of their work including increasing interdisciplinary collaborations in health and nature and increasing accessibility to the outdoors for all. 

As a clinical social worker, it is her joy to have taught and mentored over 50 dual degree students and see them develop into amazing changemakers around the globe spreading the power of adventure therapy. She loves this work and is so grateful to be surrounded by the passionate, driven and caring professionals of AEE and TAPG. 

Previous Heart of Adventure Therapy Award Winners

2014 Red Top Meadows 

Mark Ames Scholarship 

Mark Ames was a model leader and community member to the Therapeutic Adventure Professional Group (TAPG) of AEE. He contributed much in his time with us, bringing the true heart of Adventure Therapy work to our personal and professional development efforts. TAPG awards the Mark Ames Memorial Scholarship to provide an opportunity to attend TAPG's Pre-Conference workshop to an individual who otherwise could not afford to attend. 

AEE Awards

Many folx in TAPG have been presented with national AEE awards. Please take a look at the list, and if you do not see someone's name there that should be, consider nominating someone for this year.