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
Instructor: Anja
Whittington
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 may include
the following: climbing (rock outdoors and climbing walls indoors), caving,
whitewater canoeing, mountain biking, and whitewater kayaking. Activities will
vary depending on access to equipment, weather, and other program issues.
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
Technical Skills for Adventure Programming: A Curriculum
Guide. (Editors) Mark Wagstaff & Aram
Attarian, (2009). Published by Human Kinetics –
ISBN-13:978-0-7360-6699-0.
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 by peer
facilitators to prepare and reinforce class content. Due at beginning of class
period.
(20% 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 17th
during class. (15%
of final grade)
4.
Teaching Assignment:
Students will be responsible for teaching their respective activities. Using
the course text, students will plan, organize, and facilitate class sessions.
Student facilitators will also design and distribute learning activities
(homework assignments) prior to each class period. Link to self-evaluation form here.
(20% of final grade)
5.
Natural
Resource Management Issues Research Paper:
Develop a three to four page research paper that discusses natural
resource management issues regarding adventure based recreation. October 20th. (%15 of final grade)
6.
Field Trip: An additional
skills field trip is scheduled for October 28th & 29th.
This trip is designed as a capstone activity for the boating section of the
course. (10% of final grade)
7.
Outdoor Trip Log: Students will
submit trip logs the last day of class (December 8th). Trip logs include all outdoor experiences
both personal and professional. See sample trip logs- Sample 1 and Sample 2 (10%
of final grade)
I. Attendance and Late Work: 10 points off final grade for each class missed. The instructor
will accommodate students with the flu. 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 20% Each class period as assigned
* Philosophy Paper 15% November
17th
* Teaching Assignment 20% Assigned
date
* Research Paper 15% October
20th
* Field Trip 10% October
28th
* Outdoor Trip Log 10% December
8th
* Final Exam 10% TBA
K.
Click here for class dates, tentative
activities and homework assignments
L.
Class Handouts and
Resources
3.
Medical Form