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 

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TAPG Mission

The Therapeutic Adventure Professional Group is committed to the development and promotion of adventure-based programming and the principles of experiential education in therapeutic settings. We are also committed to the professional development of this community and the profession as a whole.

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.

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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

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Interested in becoming an AEE Certified Clinical Adventure Therapist?  

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 certification here. 

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   Leadership Council

The Leadership Council structure affords the most representation of membership possible, supporting the membership 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. The Council currently has the following positions: 

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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.

Heart of Adventure Therapy Award Winners

2020 Kim Sacksteder

2019 Gary Stauffer

2018 Maurie Lung

2017 Andrea Knepper

2016 Fred Borroel and Michael Gass

2015 Adventure Works 

2014 Red Top Meadows 

Mark Ames Scholarship 
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. 

In addition, many TAPG members 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!

Mark Ames Award

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. This year, the award is being offered to support an attendee to the TAPG Best Practices event that will be held in Park City, UT, from August 23rd-25th, 2021. This scholarship covers one complete registration fee for the TAPG Best Practices Conference 2021. Accommodations, food and transportation are the responsibility of the recipient.

Michael Stratton Practitioner of the Year Award

2019 Bobbi Beale 

2015 Kim Sacksteder

2014 Tony Alvarez

2008 Gary Stauffer

2007 Denise Mitten

2005 Jim Schoel

2000 Lee Gillis

Outstanding Experiential Teacher
1998 Mike Gass

1997 Christian Bisson 

Servant Leader
2021 Federico A Borroel

2017 Maurie Lung

2014 Christine Norton

2012 Anita Tucker

2011 Terry Williams

2008 Sandy Newes, Dennis Call

2007 Bobbi Beale

2005 Scott Bandoroff

2004 Christian Itin

Organizational Member of the Year
2014 Camp Mary Orton

2008 Santa Fe Mountain Center

2006 Georgia College and State University

2005 Omni Youth Services

2003 The University of New Hampshire Outdoor Education Program

1997 Project Adventure

Karl Rohnke Creativity Award

2017 Michelle Cummings

2015 Gary Stauffer

2011 Maurie Lung

2010 Kim Wasserburger

Distinguished Researcher Award

2021 - Will Dobud 

2017 - Christine Norton

2016 - Anita Tucker

2015 Denise Mitten

2012 H. "Lee" Gillis

2011 Mike Gass

2010 Keith Russell