RCPT 317
ADVENTURE PROGRAMMING
Instructor: Mark
Wagstaff Office Hours: 10:00
– 12:00 daily
Phone: 831-7724 E-mail: mwagstaff@radford.edu
Office: 139
Waldron Hall Class E-mail: ru-rcpt317-01-fall@radford.edu
A. Catalog
Entry
RCPT 317.
Adventure Programming (3)
Prerequisites or co-requisites for RCPT majors: RCPT 112 or permission
of the chair.
Semester offered: Fall Only
Course focuses on the design, implementation and leadership of
outdoor leisure pursuits and/or adventure activities and programs. This course
involves weekly field experiences where students are required to travel. Three
hours required for all RCPT students specializing in the outdoor recreation
concentration.
B. Detailed
Description of Content of the Course
In this course students will be
introduced to the philosophy, methodology, leadership, programming, and
administration of lifetime outdoor leisure pursuits and/or adventure
activities. The course is designed to give students the skills and knowledge
necessary to teach selected lifetime adventure activities. Students will cover
the following topics related to selected adventure activities:
technical/activity skills, environmental ethics and issues, individual and
group safety, group dynamics, and accessibility. The course includes
instructional strategies; the design of instructional units; and teaching
progressions related to activity implementation in schools and leisure service
agencies. Activities include the following: climbing (rock outdoors and
climbing walls indoors), caving, whitewater canoeing and whitewater kayaking.
At the discretion of the instructor (as facilities and equipment permit) the
class may include or substitute other adventure activities.
C.
Detailed Description
of the Conduct of the Course
The course emphasizes the development of personal activity skills
as well as teaching and leading skills.
Instructional time will be divided between lecture/class discussion
format and field/skill acquisition experiences.
Demonstrations and instructional videos will be employed to help develop
a knowledge base. Much of the activity
time will be spent under directed skill practice, as students are assessed on
the fundamental skills for each activity.
Competency-testing and written quizzes and exams will assess student’s
knowledge base.
An interdisciplinary and
environmental approach to teaching/leading outdoor leisure pursuits and
adventure education/recreation has been incorporated into this course. This approach
transcends the distinction between technical skills and facilitation/processing
skills. This approach also incorporates an environmental or ecological ethic,
an ethic that teaches students both the knowledge of and appreciation for the
various environments in which outdoor adventure activities occur.
In addition,
the experiential learning cycle/model is integrated into the various aspects of
the course. The major components of this
model are individual and group goal setting, the processing or debriefing of
adventure experiences, personal growth contracting (the "full-value"
contract), challenge by choice, and the "conscious use of
metaphor." Challenge by choice
allows the student to sequence and participate in activities at her/his level
of readiness and comfort.
The
methods utilized in this course include most, if not all, of the following:
lectures, simulations, case studies, labs, clinics, readings, small and
large-group activities and discussions, guest lecturers and trip leaders,
slide-tape and video presentations, peer teaching, and field trips.
D.
Course Goals &
Objectives
At the completion of
the course, each student will be able to:
1.
Demonstrate the basic activity skills and instructional
strategies necessary to teach at
least four adventure based activities.
2. Assist
in the leadership, programming and/or administration of adventure programming.
3. Explain selected problems and issues
facing the managers of resource lands utilized for outdoor adventure
activities.
4. Identify career opportunities in the
outdoor recreation and adventure-programming fields.
5. Identify specific
adaptations/modifications necessary to make adventure activities accessible.
6.
State in writing a personal philosophy of outdoor
leisure pursuits and/or adventure programming as it relates to personal health
and well-being as well as recreation goals.
E. Assessment
Measures
Assessment
is based upon grades for a final exam, assigned homework, research papers, the demonstration
of skill competencies, and teaching ability.
F. Other Course Information
General Policies and Considerations
1.
The safety standards and guidelines for the policies,
procedures and practices utilized in this course have been formulated through
consideration of those provided by the Association for Experiential Education,
the American Canoe Association, the American Whitewater Affiliation, the
National Speleological Society, and other national professional organizations
as appropriate.
2.
All RU rules and policies apply to ALL adventure
field trips/activities. RCPT policies, procedures and practices parallel those
of RU Outdoors.
3.
Outdoor leisure pursuits and/or adventure activities
have inherent risks and safety concerns. Specific policies/procedures
appropriate to each trip/activity will be provided. It is essential to the safety and quality of
these trips/activities that all policies/procedures discussed prior to and/or
during the adventure activity be adhered to by all participants. In case of an
injury or emergency, the instructor is to be informed immediately. Do not
attempt to render care to an injured student without the consent of the
instructor or emergency medical personnel.
4.
Attire: Students will be required to wear clothing
appropriate to class activities. This may include hiking boots, sneakers,
shorts, etc. The student will be responsible for providing her/his own camping
equipment and other specialized equipment for the class.
5. By
accepting admission to
G.
Course
As assigned by the instructor:
No textbook required
H. Course
Requirements
1.
Comprehensive Final. Exam covers class
materials, readings, papers, lectures, field experiences, et al.
(10% of final grade)
2.
Weekly assignments and schedule: Assignments will be given weekly to prepare
and reinforce class content. See Tips for Success for
guidelines and suggestions when creating your weekly assignments.
(36% of final grade)
3.
Philosophy Paper: Develop a two-page (typed, double-spaced)
paper on your philosophy of adventure education/recreation. Include in the
paper, appropriate definitions, preferred instructional methods, benefits and
purpose of adventure activities, and how you might integrate adventure
education/recreation into your professional life. Due: November 21st during
class.
(15% of final grade)
4.
Teaching Assignment: Prepare a lesson plan and prepare
to teach one of the following lessons:
|
WATER |
CLIMBING |
CAVING |
|
(1) Parts of the
Canoe & Carries
(Sam) |
(7) How to belay (Spencer) |
(13) Essential equipment for caving (Laura) |
|
(2) Parts of the
Kayak & Carries (Cristen) |
(8) How to tie follow thru 8, Figure 8 on a
bight, Water knot (Travis) |
(14) Cave
formations (Kyle) |
|
(3) Throw Bag and throw rope use (Daniel) |
(9) How to tie a
double fisherman, bowline, butterfly (Travis) |
(15) Environmental
ethics related to caving (Kyle) |
|
(4) Essential
Equipment for Canoeing (Carly) |
(10) Essential
equipment for rock climbing (Steven) |
|
|
(5) Essential
Equipment for Kayaking (Lauren) |
(11)
Environmental and outdoor ethics
related to climbing (Spencer) |
|
|
(6)
Environmental and outdoor Ethics for
water sports (Barrett) |
(12) Basic climbing techniques (Steven) |
|
Lessons should take
from 20 to 45 minutes depending on the topic. See teaching assignment and teaching
assignment evaluation for details. See sample knot tying lesson plan for lesson plan
template. (14% of final grade)
5.
Natural
Resource Management Issues: Develop
a three to four page research paper that discusses natural resource management
issues regarding adventure based recreation. October 31st. (%15 of final grade)
6.
Instructor Manual: All class notes,
corrected homework assignments, photographs, research paper and philosophy
paper will be organized and bound into an adventure program instructor’s
manual. Table of content, page numbers and cover are required.
Due
the day of your final exam. (10% of final grade)
I. Attendance and Late Work: 10 points off final grade for each class missed. It is your
responsibility to make up any missed work or class notes. Late Assignments: Late work will be
accepted. All late work will be penalized 10% per day late.
J.
Course Grading
Summary and due dates:
* Weekly Assignments 36% Each class period as assigned
* Philosophy Paper 15% November
21st
* Teaching Assignment 14% Assigned
date
* Research Paper 15% October
31st
* Instructor Manual 10% At Final Exam
* Final Exam 10% TBA
K.
Click here for class dates, tentative
activities and homework assignments
L.
Class Handouts and
Resources
3.
Medical Form