16th Biennial Coalition for Education in the Outdoors (CEO) Research Symposium

***Registration for in person and vitual options have been extended until December 30, 2023***

From January 12-14, 2024 an international research symposium will be held at the YMCA Blue Ridge Assembly Conference Center in Black Mountain, NC, USA (https://blueridgeassembly.org/) with a virtual attendance option.

The purpose of this gathering is to advance the empirical, conceptual, and theoretical bases of outdoor education. Like the first fifteen CEO Research Symposia, this symposium will bring together a wide array of researchers to explore current and future trends in using the outdoors for educational and therapeutic purposes. In addition to spotlighting current research, the program includes featured presentations on timely issues and ample time for both structured and informal dialogue. The last symposium was held in 2022. We are thrilled to meet in person again at the YMCA Blue Ridge Assembly in Black Mountain, NC, USA.

The symposium is purposely small and informal to promote productive interaction. The event draws people interested in adventure education, organized camping, environmental education and interpretation, and other outdoor education contexts. Because of the diversity of topics, the informal exchanges, and the quality of sessions, this event is a favorite of both well-established and emerging scholars in the field. Individuals whose abstracts are accepted will be expected to present their study in person at the symposium. Attendees can register to participate in person or attend virtually. Abstracts of all presentations will be compiled and bound for distribution at the symposium. The Coalition is a non-profit network of outdoor and environmental education centers, agencies, schools and businesses that support outdoor education.

We are excited to have Dr. Jim Sibthorp (University of Utah) and Dr. Robert Lubeznik-Warne (American Camp Association) facilitate a pre-symposium session. Integrating Outdoor Education and Formal Schooling: Learning from the Present and Looking to the Future. While outdoor education is not new, widespread, system-level adoption of outdoor education remains uncommon in the United States. The fragmented nature of outdoor education in the U.S. has led to inequitable access despite promising local efforts to offer equal opportunities to all youth. This pre-conference will showcase ways outdoor education has been incorporated into formal schooling, including state-level funding for outdoor and environmental education grants, district-level partnerships, camp-school partnerships, nature-focused schools, and examples from abroad. How can we learn from these present-day examples to expand outdoor education opportunities across the U.S.? Panelists: Pete Allison, Kendra Liddicoat, Lisa Meerts-Brandsma, Robert Lubeznik-Warner, Bea Armstrong, Michelle Pearce

We encourgae you to consider arriving Thursday evening and joining this focused session Friday morning before the regular symposium begins.

Accepted Research Presentations (listed in no particular order)

A Lack of Belongingness on an Outdoor Orientation Program; Brent Bell (University of New Hampshire), Katriana Katriana (University of New Hampshire), Trevor Guilmette (University of New Hampshire), Joy Horner (Kalamazoo College)

Effects of a Thematic Interpretive Day Camp Program on Children’s Environmental Attitudes; Griffin Bray (University of Wisconsin Stevens Point), Rebecca Franzen (University of Wisconsin Stevens Point), Laura E. Anderson (University of Wisconsin Stevens Point)

Discoveries for Wellbeing in and with the ProjectEXPLORE Community: Adventures in Emancipatory Design; Jen Knight (Western Carolina University), Callie Schultz (Western Carolina University), Paul Stonehouse (Western Carolina University), Joy Howard (Western Carolina University), Corey Johnson (North Carolina State University)

Incorporating Citizen Science in Elementary Schools: Teacher and Student Experiences with Outdoor Learning; Sarah Carrier (North Carolina State University), Jill McGowan (North Carolina State University)

Improving Ecological Behavior Through Virtual Reality of Nature; Anthony Deringer (Texas State University)

The Impact of Adventure Education on Cognitive Flexibility and Intolerance to Uncertainty; Alan Ewert (Indiana University); Curt Davidson (University of Wyoming)

Comparing the Differences Between High and Low Point Narratives in Outdoor Adventure Education; Michael Froehly (University of Utah), Jim Sibthorp (University of Utah), Robert Lubeznik-Warner (University of Utah), Lisa Meerts-Brandsma (University of Utah), Shannon Rochelle (NOLS)

First-Year ROTC Orientation Programing: Trust, Belonging and the Role of Outdoor Adventure; John Henkelman (University of New Hampshire), Brent Bell (University of New Hampshire)

Eco-Anxiety of College Students in an Introductory Environmental Science Course; Kendra Liddicoat (University of Wisconsin Stevens Point), Becca Franzen (University of Wisconsin Stevens Point), Laura Anderson (University of Wisconsin Stevens Point)

A Mixed Methods Study of Staff Well-being at Summer Camp; Robert Lubeznik-Warner (American Camp Association), Taylor Wycoff (American Camp Association), Laurie Browne (American Camp Association)

Influence of Childhood Connection to Nature on India’s Outdoor Professionals; Soumya Mitra (Prescott College), Denise Mitten (Prescott College)

Exploring The Role of Recreation in Rural NH Youth’s Engagement with Master Narratives; Katelyn Moscouver (University of New Hampshire), Jayson Seaman (University of New Hampshire)

It is So Much More Than Just a Four-Day Residential: The Profound Effects of Supporting Young People Experiencing Homelessness to Thrive in the Outdoors; Benjamin Parry (Clemson University), Jennifer Cumming (University of Birmingham), Janice Thompson (University of Birmingham), Mary Quinton (University of Birmingham), Mark Holland (Newman University)

Multiple Perspectives of Inspirational Instruction in Outdoor Recreation: A Phenomenological Study; Joshua Pighetti (Penn State University), Pete Allison (Penn State University)

Forms of Character Across Cultures: Initial Analysis from a Global Survey of Outward Bound Schools; Kimia Shirzad (Penn State University), Pete Allison (Penn State University), Theresa Melton (Clemson University), Jim Sibthorp (University of Utah), Sarah Wiley (Outward Bound International)

A Cultural Risk Assessment of Led Outdoor Activities; Stuart Slay (Student Conservation Association), Clare Dallat (Risk Resolve), Denise Mitten (Prescott College)

The Relationship of Childhood Outdoor Experience and Gender with College Students’ Initial Levels of Outdoor Program Outcomes and Subsequent Changes over Time; Sharon Todd (SUNY Cortland)

Gender Differences in Appalachian Trail Thru-Hikers; Anja Whittington (Radford University), Jeffery Aspelmeier (Radford University), Jay Raymond (West Virginia University Institute of Technology)

The Impact of an Intergenerational Citizen Science Program; Ryan Zwart (Montreat College), Dorothea Shuman (Montreat College)

Inspiration in the Galapagos Islands: Characterizations of Awe, Wonder, and Sublimity; Jim Shores (Asbury University), Brad Daniel (2nd Nature TREC), Brad Faircloth (UNC Asheville)

Outdoor Academic Programs (OAPs) by the Numbers; Brent Bell (University of New Hampshire), Kellie Gerbers (Westminster College), Jeff Turner (Georgia College), Jeremy Jostad (Eastern Washington University), Will Hobbs

Curating a New Meaning of Outdoor Adventure: (Re)thinking How We Represent #microadventure Content on Social Media; Kayler Debrew (Western Carolina University), Callie Schultz (Western Carolina University), Paul Stonehouse (Western Carolina University), Vincent Russell (Western Carolina University), Luc Cousineau (Dalhousie University)

Turning Lessons Inside Out: Supporting Elementary Teachers’ Outdoor Learning; Stephanie Fiocca (North Carolina State University), Sarah Carrier (North Carolina State University), Jill McGowan (North Carolina State University)

How Many Ways Can You Say Outdoor Education?; Denise Mitten (Prescott College)

Barriers and Strategies for Utilizing School Outdoor Spaces: Exploring the Experiences of High School Teachers; Erin Waddell (Western Carolina University), Andrew J. Bobilya (Western Carolina University), W. Brad Faircloth (UNC Asheville), Brad Daniel (2nd Nature TREC), Ashley Hoffman (Kentucky Association for Environmental Education; Southeastern Environmental Education Alliance)

Could We Lose Access to Our Classrooms? A Data-Based Discussion About Land Management Decisions That Limit Access to Protected Areas; Dan McCole (Michigan State University), Elizabeth E. Perry (Michigan State University), Andrew J. Bobilya (Western Carolina University), Madison Janes (Michigan State University)

View previous symposia’s Book of Abstracts and open access copies of Research in Outdoor Education by clicking here.

Abstract Submission and Registration Details:

• Abstract Submission Deadline:      September 1, 2023. View the Call for Abstracts by clicking here.
• In Person Attendance Registration      Deadline: December 30, 2023
• Virtual Attendance Registration            Deadline: December 30, 2023
• All onsite CEO registration rates include registration, lodging for two nights beginning Friday, January 12 and meals beginning with dinner Friday and ending with breakfast Sunday.
• Lodging and meals for those who want to arrive Thursday, January 11, 2024 are also available as an add-on ticket beginning with dinner Thursday and including breakfast and lunch on Friday.
• Individuals arriving via air should consider flying into Asheville, NC (AVL); Greenville-Spartanburg (GSP) or Charlotte, NC (CLT) (listed in order of distance from the YMCA)
• Airport shuttle service can be arranged by calling GrandyCo Transportation Services at: 828-335-0341.
• Virtual attendance registration option for those who cannot attend in person. Presenters are expected to present their work in person.

Questions regarding CEO Symposium logistics or registration can be directed to Andrew Bobilya at: abobilya@2ndnatureTREC.com

Questions regarding the abstract submission process can be directed to Brad Faircloth at: bfaircloth@2ndnatureTREC.com

Tentative Symposium Schedule

Thursday, January 11, 2024

4:00 – 6:00 p.m. Thursday Night Arrivals/ Pre-Symposium Session Registration Check-in at YMCA Blue Ridge Assembly – Blue Ridge Center Lobby

6:00 Dinner – Blue Ridge Center Dining Hall

Evening Free Time

Friday, January 12, 2024

8:00 a.m. Breakfast for Thursday Night Lodging Package – Blue Ridge Center Dining Room

8:00 a.m. – 9:00 a.m. Pre-Symposium Session Registration Check-in at YMCA Blue Ridge Assembly – Blue Ridge Center Lobby

9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Pre-Symposium Session “Integrating Outdoor Education and Formal Schooling” facilitated by Dr. Jim Sibthorp, University of Utah & Dr. Laurie Browne, American Camp Association

12:00 – 2:00 p.m. Symposium Registration Check-in at YMCA Blue Ridge Assembly – Blue Ridge Center Lobby

2:00 Meet and Greet – Blue Ridge Center Region Room

2:40 Opening Session – Blue Ridge Center Region Room

Welcome

Land Acknowledgement

Site Logistics

Symposium Overview

3:00 Panel Discussion: Trends in Outdoor Education Research

4:00 Research Presentation Session I– Blue Ridge Center Region Room

6:00 Dinner – Blue Ridge Center Dining Hall

7:30 Issues and Challenges in Outdoor Education Research: Setting our Agendas at CEO – Blue Ridge Center Region Room (CEO Research Committee)

8:00 Evening Social – Blue Ridge Center Robertson Room (The Friday Night Social will include hors d'oeuvres, beer, wine and soda)

Saturday, January 13, 2024

8:00 a.m. Breakfast – Blue Ridge Center Dining Room

8:40 Research Presentation Session II – Blue Ridge Center Region Room

10:35 Refreshment Break – Blue Ridge Center Hallway Outside Region Room

Saturday, January 13, 2024 (continued)

10:45 Research Presentation Session III – Blue Ridge Center Region Room

12:30 p.m. Lunch, Breakout Groups, and Free Time – Blue Ridge Center Dining Hall

CEO Research Committee – please meet in the Robertson Room for lunch.

1:55 Research Presentation Session IV– Blue Ridge Center Region Room

3:50 Group Photo – Outside Blue Ridge Center

4:00 Refreshment Break – Blue Ridge Center Hallway Outside Region Room

4:15 Research Presentation Session V– Blue Ridge Center Region Room

6:00 Dinner – Blue Ridge Center Dining Hall

7:15 Poster Session and Raffle Drawings – Blue Ridge Center Region Room

8:15 About Journal of Outdoor Recreation, Education and Leadership (JOREL) CEO Special Issue

8:20 Symposium Summary and Evaluation

8:30 Evening Social – Blue Ridge Center Lobby and Outdoor Spaces

The Saturday Night Social will include live music, hors d'oeuvres, beer, wine and soda. (Symposium attendees can continue to enjoy the Blue Ridge Center lobby and the campfires outside the Center.)

Sunday, January 14, 2024

7:00 – 9:00 a.m. Continental Breakfast – Blue Ridge Center Lobby

The 16th Biennial Coalition for Education in the Outdoors (CEO) Research Symposium is Coordinated by 2nd Nature TREC (Training, Research, Education, Consulting)