Christian Outdoor Leadership

"Young people need someone who is crazy about them." - Walter Brueggemann "Originally authored by Francis Clark a hundred years ago, Ashley Denton has overhauled the first writing, taking care to update and revise the text to make it more readable for a modern audience of young people. The book will be especially helpful to youth pastors, student ministry leaders and parents of young people." -Robert E. Coleman (Author of Master Plan of Evangelism) "Francis Clark believed that Jesus was the embodiment of everything that young people longed for. The challenge of every generation is simply to give young people an accurate picture of Jesus Christ. Clark believed that if young people could just see the winsome personality of Christ, they would naturally be drawn to him, like a magnet is to metal." -Ashley Denton

Outdoor Leadership, Third Edition With HKPropel Access, introduces students to a wide variety of theories and concepts that are integral to the understanding of outdoor leadership, and it demonstrates how these concepts come to life in the field. Written by a team of internationally recognized authors, the text introduces eight core competencies that are essential to outdoor leadership: Foundational knowledge Self-awareness and professional conduct Decision making and judgment Teaching and facilitation Environmental stewardship Program management Safety and risk management Technical ability The third edition of Outdoor Leadership effectively positions students to develop the knowledge and expertise required to excel as outdoor leaders. Along with updated references, learning activities, and chapter-opening vignettes, the third edition offers the following new features: New content on intersectionality and the importance of universal design A look at the contribution of outdoor recreation to the economy An examination of transformative learning and updated material on interpretive programming Expanded content on the importance of protecting ecological resources The text begins with the foundations of outdoor leadership, the historical and philosophical foundations of the profession, and the nature of outdoor leadership as a professional practice. Historical and contemporary theories of leadership and the practical application of these theories are examined, facilitating a discussion of the roles that decision making and judgment play in real life. The text then explores the role of teaching and facilitation in outdoor leadership. Topics such as natural resource management, environmental sustainability, and program management—including program administration, safety and risk management, expedition planning, and program evaluation—are addressed. Each chapter opens with a vignette that illustrates the practical application of outdoor leadership concepts so that students recognize the importance of the material. Throughout the text, students are introduced to various types of organizations and agencies in which outdoor leaders work. Learning activities and professional development exercises within the text encourage readers to engage in a process of self-reflection and to draw connections between theory and practice. Glossary flashcards and relevant forms are available via HKPropel. As students progress through the text, they will create a professional portfolio that demonstrates their competency and showcases their talents. Outdoor Leadership, Third Edition With HKPropel Access, is the definitive text for developing student leadership in outdoor and adventure settings. This useful resource will help aspiring outdoor leaders plan safe, enjoyable, and ecologically responsible expeditions; acquire and showcase their leadership abilities; and develop knowledge and expertise. Note: A code for accessing HKPropel is included with this ebook.

Are you signed up to serve at a Christian camp this summer? Whether you are a veteran staffer or have never been to camp before, this book is for you Get your heart ready for the spiritual challenge of camp leadership. Consider why you are going to camp, and what will be expected of you. Learn what makes kids tick, and ways of developing healthy relationships. Prepare to lead effective Bible discussions. Gain skills in managing issues and problems. Become confident in sharing your faith in Jesus.

Outdoor Adventure Education: Foundations, Theories, Models, and Research steeps students in the theories, concepts, and developments of outdoor adventure education, preparing them for careers in this burgeoning field. This text is based on author Alan W. Ewert’s pioneering book Outdoor Adventure Pursuits: Foundations, Models, and Theories. Ewert and Sibthorp, both experienced practitioners, researchers, and educators, explore the outdoor adventure field today in relation to the changes that have occurred since Ewert’s first book. The authors present a comprehensive text on outdoor and adventure foundations, theories, and research that will provide the basis for the next generation of professionals.

Written for instructors who want their classroom experience to be as involving as the field, Teaching Adventure Education Theory offers activities instructors can use to help students make the connections between theory and practice. Top educators provide lesson plans that cover adventure theory, philosophy, history, and conceptual models.

Sacred Playgrounds explores the wisdom of camping ministry for Christian education and faith formation, examining its rich history and fundamental characteristics with compelling stories, groundbreaking research, and theological grounding. Christian summer camp is an integral part of the ecology of faith formation in North America, though it has received surprisingly little attention in the scholarly community until now. Camping ministry is often dismissed as simple fun and games or a brief spiritual high that does not last. However, camp experiences often serve as deeply relational and immersive faith experiences that have lasting impacts on participants. Five fundamental characteristics combine dynamically in the effective camp experience: participatory, faith-centered, safe space, relational, and unplugged from home. Together, they open the space for participants to consider new understandings of God, to have time for deep self-reflection, and to build intentional Christian community. These camp experiences are essential components in a larger ecology of faith formation, including the home and congregation. The insight and evidence presented in this book demonstrate that the contributions of camping ministry must be taken seriously among scholars, Christian educators, and ministry professionals.

Adventure is extensively used as a teaching tool throughout the Bible. In God of Adventure Bruce Dunning proposes 19 principles from the Bible that outline the validity, core concepts and teaching approaches of Christian adventure learning. "Finally! A book has been written for adventure learning leaders that is grounded in Scripture. This well-researched and highly readable text will be a valuable resource for Christian educators desiring a stronger theological basis for their practice." -Ken Kalisch, Author of "The Role of the Instructor in the Outward Bound Educational Process," Associate Professor of Outdoor Education, Montreat College, Montreat, North Carolina "Adventure learning has long been with us but seldom understood or valued as the powerful tool for learning and personal transformation as this book so clearly shows it to be. Bruce Dunning has crafted a solid biblical treatise for adventure learning with great applications to ministry and personal life. It is valuable reading for any youth worker or Christian educator who is willing to go beyond the normative approaches to the teaching-learning paradigm in helping young people become all that God first created them to be." -John H. Wilkinson, Executive Director of Toronto YFC, Toronto, Ontario "I would buy this for the Appendix alone." -Stephen J. Cyphers, Outdoor Leadership Program, Colorado Christian University BRUCE DUNNING has been involved in Christian camping every year of his life and has worked full-time at Medeba Adventure Learning Centre since 1980. Medeba is located in West Guilford, Ontario, Canada and specializes in Christian adventure learning. Its mission is to use adventure and community to challenge young people to continually say "yes" to God. Bruce also has extensive experience within the world-wide Christian camping movement. www.GodofAdventure.com