Free Risk Management Workshop Online
April 24, 2007
To begin presentation click RUN
(note presentation requires Flash and may take a moment to buffer)
To read more about the presentation go to Outdoor Ed.com
The Risk Assessment and Safety Management Model developed by Rick Curtis of Princeton University's Outdoor Action Program and OutdoorEd.com is an incredibly useful tool for programs to use as part of your overall risk management plan. From program planning by managers in the office to a decision-making tool for instructors in the field, the RASM model is a real-time planning tool that expands on previous accident models to include safety factors. This 30 minute Powerpoint Presentation is based on a workshop that Rick has presented around the country and is excellent tool to use in staff trainings. Play the Powerpoint Presentation (Flash Required)... You can also download the accompanying PDF article
posted by Jay @ 4/24/2007,
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"What's it like to facilitate at your very best?"
April 19, 2007
The following is an excerpt from The Facilitators' Stories by Stuart Wickes.
“I wanted to understand and articulate just what facilitation involved and meant to these facilitators, what it is was like for them to facilitate, and how they experienced it when they were doing it at their best.
“This was a piece of phenomenological research designed to understand the subjective experiences of these eight individuals and to articulate the essence of those experiences and structures of meaning associated with them. It was not research into the how-to, process, organizational aspects or outcomes of facilitation, nor an inquiry into who the facilitators were, their backgrounds, skills or experience. It was a search for understanding of what it is like to facilitate, a search to understand and describe the experience of excellence in facilitation 'in the moment', from the facilitators perspective.
“This short paper presents a few key findings from this research. Firstly I present some very short illustrative extracts from participants stories of excellence in facilitation. Then I offer a model outlining five recurring themes in their stories; features of their experience of excellence.
- cycle of experience
- co-created climate of development
- connection, relationship and rapport
- particular internal experience
- realizing something of value
“One of my primary aims in research was to tell the facilitator's story, to bring the voice of practicing facilitators to the literature on facilitation. Participants were asked to describe in detail experiences of their very best work. I asked them to re-associate with and relive these experiences, to describe from within "exactly what it is like to be facilitating at this time"
“Think of this paper as less of an answer and more of a stimulus for your own curiosity and questions.”
Labels: Facilitation
posted by Jay @ 4/19/2007,
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UM CHALLENGE PROGRAM - OPEN HOUSE!
April 06, 2007
We provide interactive teambuilding programs with facilitated opportunities for discussion. If you’re interested, but want to learn more about what we offer before scheduling your group, then join us at our Open House!
Come learn about the University of Michigan’s experiential team-building program. Meet the directors, tour our facilities, and familiarize yourself with our activities and programming. Maybe you’ll even get to try an activity or two!
For more information go to...
UM Challenge Program Website http://www.recsports.umich.edu/challenge/
Direction and Maps http://www.recsports.umich.edu/challenge/openhouse07.doc
posted by Jay @ 4/06/2007,
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Baltimore Teen Drowns During School Backpacking Trip
April 05, 2007
Kenneth, 17, and seven other students from Independence School Local 1 in Hampden - an alternative public school for students who have struggled in traditional classrooms - left Baltimore on Tuesday morning. That night, they slept under tents pitched deep in the Monongahela National Forest in Elkins, W.Va.
"He entered [the water] on his own accord," Teter said of the teen. The officer said it did not appear that Jones was knocked unconscious in the water. He said that other students were in the immediate area and that teachers were nearby."
Forty-five students attend the school, which is technically an extension of the Samuel L. Banks High School. The camping trip is part of the school's alternative curriculum designed to empower students who struggle in traditional academic settings.
Kenneth enrolled in the school last year after he was expelled from Benjamin Franklin Middle School for being involved in a fight, his father said."He didn't want to deal with thugs," Jones said. "I stayed on him about being straight."
"He was great," said Jones, the father. "[On] a scale of 1 to 10, he was a 13."
For complete story go to http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/local/baltimore_city/bal-te.ci.drown31mar31,0,3392108.story?page=1&coll=bal-local-headlines
Labels: Backcounrty Swimming, Drowning, Risk Management, Safety, Swimming
posted by Jay @ 4/05/2007,
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Developing Best Practices in Backcountry Swimming
Contributed by Todd Miner
In the AEE Northeast & Mid-Adlantic newsletter, Mid-Atlantic Currents
Volume 4, Issue 3 Page 3, December 2006
Swimming in remote locations has traditionally been a part of adventure programming. The benefits of backcountry swimming are recognized and celebrated and should be preserved. However, it is also one of the more dangerous activities that occur in a backcountry program. Over the last 10 years a number of fatalities and serious accidents (paralysis, brain damage, etc.) have occurred during backcountry swimming taking place in organized programs. Better trainings, practices and policies need to be developed to ensure backcountry swimming can continue. National organizations such as Red Cross have backed away from developing such tools, leaving it to the adventure education field to step up and improve safety and programming for our participants. There is a large and significant gap that begs to be filled.
To address this gap, several programs (Cornell University, Dartmouth College, Eastern Washington University, Hamilton College, Harvard University, Princeton University, Sterling College and VisionQuest) have joined together with invited representation from Outward Bound and the National Outdoor Leadership School. The working title of this group has yet to be decided. Consideration is between the Committee Reviewing Adventure-Based Backcountry Swimming (CRABS) or the Committee on Backcountry Swimming (COBS). The goal of this committee is to enhance the safety of backcountry swimming through education and sharing of best practices.
Many adventure programs have developed strong trainings, practices, protocols, or standards to address the risks of backcountry swimming, but there is no one place where best practices or standards have been brought together. With this in mind, the committee will try to gather, identify and disseminate best practices.
The committee considers "backcountry swimming" to mean "putting people in water that is not a pool or a designated, lifeguard-protected swim area outdoors." Backcountry swimming would include lakes, rivers, streams, the ocean, hot springs, and would not be defined by proximity to roads, type of shore, etc. “Incidental” relates to the spontaneous nature and is secondary to the expected objectives of the planned activity such as hiking.
In trying to gather and disseminate best practices for backcountry swimming the committee operates using the following values, goals and principles:
- There is value in backcountry swimming.
- The process and effort will be as inclusive as possible. We seek partners and insights from any and all adventure programs and/or organizations focused on risk management and safety.
- The results will be freely and openly shared.
- The main focus is on incidental or purposeful wading or swimming (as opposed to accidental swimming related to boating or stream crossing).
- The general goal is to promote backcountry swimming that is as safe as possible.
- The preferred method for enhancing backcountry swimming safety is through sharing and educating.
- That enhancing safety should not have to mean adding a lot of training time or cost.
- That priority is placed on common sense, lowtech ways to make swimming safer.
- That raising the swimmer's consciousness is imperative.
The committee requests input from other organizations. We seek protocols, practices and accident data that you are willing to share. This will allow the committee to examine how accidents and injuries are occurring and what risk management measures could be instituted to prevent further loss. Please forward information to Dennis Call, dennis.call@vq.com
Labels: Backcountry Swimming, CRABS, Risk Management, Safety
posted by Jay @ 4/05/2007,
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Job Posting: Teacher/Facilitator
April 04, 2007
Job Posting: Teacher/Facilitator
Description
Starr Commonwealth seeks a highly qualified teacher to provide leadership in the academic activities for the students enrolled in the Montcalm Outdoor Challenge Program located in Albion, MI. As part of the treatment team, the teacher will provide academic instruction, tutoring, evaluations, and a variety of learning experiences in a non-traditional setting. Applicants must exhibit a strong commitment to a personal value system of helping kids. They must be creative in using a variety of teaching styles and activities to engage the students in active learning experiences. The ideal candidate will have the ability to manage unexpected situations and demonstrate exceptional problem solving skills.
The Montcalm Outdoor Challenge Program, located on the Starr Commonwealth campus, is a 60 day outdoor therapeutic experience for children ages 12-17. For more information on the Montcalm Outdoor Challenge Program and other Starr Commonwealth programs and services, visit the website http://www.starr.org/.
Responsibilities
This position is primarily responsible for coordination of all academic activities for students enrolled in the Montcalm Outdoor Challenge program. This includes providing individual instruction to each student by first assessing their current academic needs and then using appropriate teaching styles to meet those needs. Communicate student progress to parents of children in the program. Manage the necessary academic paperwork and reporting needs of the program.
Desired Qualifications
§ Bachelor's degree in Education with preference to Secondary Education, Middle Grades certification, or Outdoor Education
§ Current teacher certification
§ Curriculum design experience
§ Familiar with individual instruction methods and experience with non-traditional educational settings
§ First Aid and CPR certification
§ Experience in facilitating experiential outdoor activities
Benefits Starr Commonwealth provides a competitive salary within the youth services industry along with a desirable benefits package including health, dental and vision insurance, retirement, and tuition reimbursement. All Starr Commonwealth employees have free access to the Towsley Center for Recreation which houses an Olympic size pool, basketball courts, fitness center, and racquetball courts.
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To apply for either position, please send cover letter and resume to:
Starr Commonwealth: Michigan
Attn: Dennis Eddy, Recruitment Coordinator
13725 Starr Commonwealth Road
Albion, MI 49224
E-mail: eddyd@starr.org
Fax: 517-629-7775
Phone: (800) 837-5591 ext. 459
Download application: www.starr.org
Starr Commonwealth is an Equal Opportunity Employer
posted by Jay @ 4/04/2007,
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Job Posting: Program Guide/Outdoor Specialist
Job Posting: Program Guide/Outdoor Specialist
Description
Starr Commonwealth seeks a highly qualified outdoor specialist to provide leadership in facilitation of adventure-based activities for the students enrolled in the Montcalm Outdoor Challenge Program located in Albion, MI. As part of the treatment team, the outdoor specialist will travel on each wilderness trek to ensure the safety for the kids, facilitate outdoor learning opportunities, and assist with trip logistics. The outdoor specialist’s schedule will be five work days on for trips and then nine days off until preparing for the next trip, as well as, additional group coverage when needed.
Applicants must exhibit a strong commitment to a personal value system of helping kids. The outdoor specialist must be comfortable outdoors in all weather conditions and know how to safely prepare the youth in the program for the weather conditions. The ideal candidate will have the ability to manage unexpected situations and demonstrate exceptional problem solving skills.
The Montcalm Outdoor Challenge Program, located on the Starr Commonwealth campus, is a 60-day; fixed-base outdoor therapeutic experience for children ages 12-17. For more information on the Montcalm Outdoor Challenge Program and other Starr Commonwealth programs and services, visit the website http://www.starr.org/.
Responsibilities
This position is primarily responsible for care and supervision of the youth in the program while away from the fixed-base camp on wilderness trips. The outdoor specialist will facilitate a variety of adventure based activities while guiding the youth through multi-day wilderness experiences. Completes all paperwork in a timely and accurate manner and conducts all program activities in a safe and therapeutically efficient manner.
Desired Qualifications
§ Bachelor's degree in Recreation, Physical Education, Criminal Justice, Sociology, or related area
§ Ability to build positive relationships with youth and staff
§ Valid drivers license
§ Experience with multi-day wilderness trips with youth
§ First Aid and CPR certification and Lifeguard certified
§ Experience in facilitating experiential outdoor activities
Benefits Starr Commonwealth provides a competitive salary within the youth services industry along with a desirable benefits package including health, dental and vision insurance, retirement, and tuition reimbursement. All Starr Commonwealth employees have free access to the Towsley Center for Recreation which houses an Olympic size pool, basketball courts, fitness center, and racquetball courts.
--------------------------------------------------------------------
To apply please send cover letter and resume to:
Starr Commonwealth: Michigan
Attn: Dennis Eddy, Recruitment Coordinator
13725 Starr Commonwealth Road
Albion, MI 49224
E-mail: eddyd@starr.org
Fax: 517-629-7775
Phone: (800) 837-5591 ext. 459
Download application: www.starr.org
Starr Commonwealth is an Equal Opportunity Employer
posted by Jay @ 4/04/2007,
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WFR Training
Wilderness First Responder 
Katie Hodgdon
(231) 861-2262 ext 1112
katie.hodgdon@ayf.com
Miniwanca Labels: event, Risk Management, Training, WFR, Wilderness Medicine
posted by Jay @ 4/04/2007,
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