Wilderness-based Rites of Passage
(Rites of Passage & Outdoor Education)

Wilderness-based Rites of Passage

• Indigenous knowledge & outdoor education

• A psycho-evolutionary theory of outdoor education

• Indigenous games & activities

• Wilderness-based rites of passage references

Applying Rites of Passage Models to Outdoor Education

• Summary & commentary on Bell's (2003) article applying Van Gennep's 3-stage rites of passage model to outdoor education

• Recommendations for Van Gennep's model & outdoor education

• Ways a wilderness expedition can facilitate self-transformation
  (Brown, 1987)

• Sweat therapy heals traditionally
  (Colmant, 2003, Sweat Magazine)

References

Beames, S. (2004). Overseas youth expeditions with Raleigh International: A rite of passage? Australian Journal of Outdoor Education, 8(1), 29-36.

Bell, B. (2003). The rites of passage and outdoor education: Critical concerns for effective programming.  Journal of Experiential Education, 26(1), 41-50.

Brown, M. H. (1987). Wilderness Vision Quest: Exploring the Frontiers in Human Resource Development.  Paper presented at the 4^th World Wilderness Congress, Estes Park, Colorado, September.

Gass, M., Garvey, D., & Sugarman, D. (2003).The long-term effects of a first-year wilderness orientation program. Journal of Experiential Education, 26(1), 34-40.

Earth Mentoring Institute (2001). Initiation in the wilderness: Rediscovering lost ceremonies of rites of passage. Primary Feathers Journal.  http://natureawareness.com/

Maddern, E. (1990). What is it fifteen year olds need?  Notes on developing initiations appropriate to our times.  Adventure Education, 17(1), 29-32. [250kb; pdf]

Lertzman, D. A. (2002). Rediscovering rites of passage: Education, transformation, and the transition to sustainability. Conservation Ecology, 5(2), 30. [online] URL: http://www.consecol.org/vol5/iss2/art30/