The Fragmentation of Outdoor Leadership [microform] / David Cockrell.

Although outdoor leadership does not appear to be coalescing into a unified profession, there are potential solutions to this fragmentation. Six robust approaches to the professional provision of outdoor leadership are: (1) outfitting and guiding; (2) organized camping; (3) adventure education, such...

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Online Access: Request ERIC Document
Main Author: Cockrell, David
Format: Microfilm Book
Language:English
Published: [Place of publication not identified] : Distributed by ERIC Clearinghouse, 1991.
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Summary:Although outdoor leadership does not appear to be coalescing into a unified profession, there are potential solutions to this fragmentation. Six robust approaches to the professional provision of outdoor leadership are: (1) outfitting and guiding; (2) organized camping; (3) adventure education, such as Outward Bound; (4) the outdoor school; (5) facility-based adventure education, such as ropes courses; and (6) religious-oriented adventure programs. Impediments to professionalism include: variations in the hard skills required; disparity in program goals; lack of a common vision in outdoor recreation; failure of professional leaders to provide philosophical or theoretical underpinnings; and the relative success of each segment of the industry independently. Crystallization of a profession of outdoor leadership could result in improvements in its public image, standardization of liability insurance, and greater influence on public policy. Part of the solution to fragmentation is to allow America's universities to play a larger role in professional development than they are now playing in teaching, research, and service. Graduation from a bachelor degree track in outdoor leadership can come to represent the standard minimum competency level for entry-level professionals. (KS)
Item Description:ERIC Note: In: Employee Preparation towards 2001. National Conference for Outdoor Leaders, Public, Commercial, and Non-Profit Partnerships. 1990 Conference Proceedings; see RC 018 274.
ERIC Document Number: ED335193.
Physical Description:7 pages.
Reproduction Note:Microfiche.
Action Note:committed to retain