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

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 and Dr. Laurie Browne facilitate a pre-symposium session focused on integrating outdoor education and formal schooling entitled: . Consider arriving Thursday evening and joining this focused session Friday morning before the regular symposium begins.

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 1, 2023
• Virtual Attendance Registration            Deadline: December 29, 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.
• Details regarding an optional pre-symposium session Friday morning will be available soon. Past pre-symposium sessions have included round table discussions and strategic planning on a particular area of interest (e.g. human health and outdoor programming)
• 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)