BAM! at AEE

Kate points out the Leave No Trace logo at the International AEE Conference

Jacksonville, FL.  The 39th Annual International Association for Experiential Education Conference took place this past weekend in Jacksonville, FL.  This conference brings together over 600 outdoor professionals to collaborate, network, learn, and teach about empowering individuals through experiential learning opportunities.  The theme of the conference was crossing, building, and being bridges.  Ultimately experiential education is a bridge between the content of learning (math, science, social science, humanities, history, etc) and activities to make the learning real, relevant, and part of the student's experience.  Taken further, it is a bridge between these activities and a learner's opportunity to learn about themselves-their power and connection to a larger community.  And beyond, it is about taking these activities and helping the individual see their role in making the world a more just and compassionate place.

We had the opportunity to present a 90 minute workshop on ways to incorporate Leave No Trace into educational programs.  The workshop provided a platform for discussing the importance of using hands-on, interactive lessons when teaching Leave No Trace and how critical it is to explain the how's and why's behind the skills and practices of Leave No Trace.  By utilizing these strategies, students can develop their own outdoor ethic and make sound decisions in the out of doors that will preserve and protect the quality of the resource.

Next stop...Montreat College!

Explore Responsibly...Kate and Tracy