Hallmarks of Outdoor Training Programmes
Following attributes are shared by Outbound Training Programmes:
- Experiential: All adventure programmes are active and not passive. People learn best by doing and reflecting on their experiences. Activities in these programmes use perceived risks, yet are relatively safe. These activities are not the message, but are the medium or process through which the learning takes place.
- Dramatic: The excitement and emotional nature of these adventure
programmes focuses attention and sharpens mind. - Novel: In these programmes people are placed in situations in which no group member is considered to be an expert. These programmes tend to equalise people, breaking down hierarchical barriers and apprehensions that often exist in organised groups.
- Consequential: Errors have potential ramifications in the outdoor programmes, unlike in a classroom simulation for which points are lost. In these programmes success and failure is supported by those who really matter: peers and self.
- Metaphoric: Adventures are a microcosm of the requirements needed for the changes taking place in the real world. The behaviours demonstrated by
individuals and groups during these programmes parallel the way they act and what happens to them in daily life. - Transferable: The new learning from these programmes do indeed show up
in daily life. - Structured: In these programmes challenges sequentially increase with
complexity and difficulty as people become more competent. - Voluntary: These programmes are intrinsically motivating. This
independence in the way people learn is often more important than what they learn. - Concrete: The activities in these programmes are fun, intriguing, invigorating and motivating. These programmes provide opportunities to experiment with new behaviours and skills.
- Holistic: These programmes incorporate cognitive, affective (social and
emotional), physical and psychomotor learning. They use all the senses and
accommodate a variety of learning styles.