With the experience of the leading outdoor education organization in the world today
Staff Symposium
Workshops
Workshops
IAN WADE
Ian Wade is currently Executive Director of Outward Bound International. The Association that licenses Outward Bound centers worldwide and provides quality assurance. Prior to this Ian spent eight years as Vice President of Safety for Outward Bound USA, a decade as Program Director of Outward Bound on the west coast, and five years as President of the American Mountain Guides Association.
Ian left the UK and immigrated to America working for five years as a structural engineer in the aerospace industry. Mountaineering ambitions led to early retirement from an engineering career! Ian’s climbs include the big walls of Yosemite, the Eiger North Face, new routes on Fitzroy in Patagonia and in the Karakorum, etc. A desire to help others experience the joy of adventure led to his three-decade involvement with the Outward Bound schools.
He has completed graduate studies in Business at Columbia University and worked as marketing director for a successful software start-up company.
After his ascent of Everest in 1990 with the Mt. Everest Peace Climb, he has been active in supporting the struggle for human rights in Tibet. Ian leads Guest Expeditions for Outward Bound International to various parts of the world including 17 ascents of Kilimanjaro!
Workshops:
Ian Wade, "What is Outward Bound and Who is it For?"
This discussion will explore the elusive question of “What is Outward Bound”. Variations and trends in length of Outward Bound programs will be discussed. What are the critical components of an Outward Bound experience? Is Outward Bound primarily for young people? Is a mix of disadvantaged and advantaged participants important? Is the motto relevant still? Is a 1 or 2-day hotel based course “real” Outward Bound? Expect a lively discussion – and some conclusions if we can.
Discussion Leader: Ian Wade
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Nicki Mosley, Biographical Sketch:
Nicki Mosley has worked seasonally for Outward Bound Canada (OBC) since 1998. As an OBC Instructor and Coordinator, Wilderness Medical Associates Instructor and Yoga Instructor, Nicki continues strives integrate her passions for education, health and wellness, the outdoors and inter-cultural exchange. With international and domestic experience leading and facilitating youth, women and community focused educational initiatives, Nicki has had the opportunity to learn from many diverse relationships formed with people and places. Throughout her journeys, Outward Bound continues to be a vein that runs through all her experiences.
Nicki Mosley has worked seasonally for Outward Bound Canada (OBC) since 1998. As an OBC Instructor and Coordinator, Wilderness Medical Associates Instructor and Yoga Instructor, Nicki continues strives integrate her passions for education, health and wellness, the outdoors and inter-cultural exchange. With international and domestic experience leading and facilitating youth, women and community focused educational initiatives, Nicki has had the opportunity to learn from many diverse relationships formed with people and places. Throughout her journeys, Outward Bound continues to be a vein that runs through all her experiences.
WORKSHOPS
A) Connecting with the Women of Courage: Understanding the Journey
Expected Outcomes for Participants and Content:
The healing process can be viewed as an experiential process – ie: through reflection, the individual is working towards perceiving their experiences in a different and more positive light by learning more about themselves and others. Women of Courage (WOC) is an Outward Bound Canada program designed for women survivors of violence. These women live through a healing process that spirals experientially towards empowerment. Through this workshop, the audience will come to understand the value an outdoor experiential experience can have in the process of healing and empowerment. With interactive activities, discussions, and film, this workshop will provide an overview of this unique Outward Bound Canada program. Please note that the workshop is dependant on attendee’s willingness to participate in activities and discussions surrounding the experiential healing process. With this workshop, Nicki hopes to offer programming ideas and inspiration to other Outward Bound staff and schools.
Expected Outcomes for Participants and Content:
The healing process can be viewed as an experiential process – ie: through reflection, the individual is working towards perceiving their experiences in a different and more positive light by learning more about themselves and others. Women of Courage (WOC) is an Outward Bound Canada program designed for women survivors of violence. These women live through a healing process that spirals experientially towards empowerment. Through this workshop, the audience will come to understand the value an outdoor experiential experience can have in the process of healing and empowerment. With interactive activities, discussions, and film, this workshop will provide an overview of this unique Outward Bound Canada program. Please note that the workshop is dependant on attendee’s willingness to participate in activities and discussions surrounding the experiential healing process. With this workshop, Nicki hopes to offer programming ideas and inspiration to other Outward Bound staff and schools.
B) Connecting with the Women of Courage: The Progression
Expected Outcomes for Participants and Content:
NOTE* It is recommended that participants attending this workshop attend the previous WOC workshop. With a brief review of the healing journey from the previous WOC workshop, a natural progression of building upon skills to facilitate a WOC experience will be a main focus. Participants will have the opportunity to engage in a 'mock' screening process and a course development plan through examining 'mock' applications and participant groups that reflect typical information from course applicants. Through this interactive process, workshop participants will gain insight on different issues that may be connected to survivors of violence and how the natural environment may impact these issues. Within small groups there will be opportunities to reflect upon the screening process in addition to designing strategies for facilitating the challenges that may arise on a WOC course.
Expected Outcomes for Participants and Content:
NOTE* It is recommended that participants attending this workshop attend the previous WOC workshop. With a brief review of the healing journey from the previous WOC workshop, a natural progression of building upon skills to facilitate a WOC experience will be a main focus. Participants will have the opportunity to engage in a 'mock' screening process and a course development plan through examining 'mock' applications and participant groups that reflect typical information from course applicants. Through this interactive process, workshop participants will gain insight on different issues that may be connected to survivors of violence and how the natural environment may impact these issues. Within small groups there will be opportunities to reflect upon the screening process in addition to designing strategies for facilitating the challenges that may arise on a WOC course.
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Tuija Hurri "Fire sculptures"
Fire art sculptures are built from materials that burn, with the aim of controlling the shape and progression of the fire.Commonly used materials are wooden bars, straw, wire gauze and lighter fluid. Wood and wire gauze are used to make frames, which are filled with straw that has been made compact. A fire sculpture can also be built from rags and old fabrics on a wooden or metal frame. A moment before the beginning of the event, the sculptures are moistened with igniting fluid. The work burns from a few seconds up to several minutes when the supporting structures fall apart. The pieces that are left can be burnt in a campfire. The wire gauze and nails that remain unscathed are collected as waste.
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Risto Pekkola, "Wilderness skills"
Risto Pekkola has roamed scandinavian forests since the age of 14, when he joined the Boy Scouts.
Now he is 42 years old and the childhood enthusiashm still fills this man more or less when the opportunity to be connected to Mother Earth arrives. Be it hiking, offtrack skiing, paddeling a canoe or the best; bowhunting with a recurve bow – this man is on fire…professional background includes working as a wilderness guide, salesman of outdoor gear and these days Risto is a Lecturer in the North- Karelian College Niittylahti. Main duty there is teach future wilderness guides. Also a wonderful wife and three kids keeps him occupied…
Wilderness skills include something what you do with your hands – watch those fingers !
Markku Marila "How to use music on programs"
Markku Marila is a freelance wilderness guide. In his work he pleasantly uses methods that are based on experiential learning. Markku has been working periodically with Outward Bound Finland since 2003.
One of his favorite tools are African drums or just rythm with instruments from nature or one´s own body. The rhythm of the Universe is the silent drumbeat of life. Rhythm is everywhere: in the rhythm of the day, months and years. Daily functions like talking, any kind of action or just mere living makes us part of that rhythm. It comes alive creating various events and passages in between. Man has felt this beat and used it as the rhythm of toil making hard work easier. (In our world we have often forgotten this, but) it can still be found among many aboriginal peoples. Markku uses rhythmic exercises to help a group to find its common tempo before they attend events and activities. Upbeat rhythm is a good warm-up for activities that require speed. Subtle or smooth rhythms cool the hectic pace down. Imagination and creativity give us unlimited opportunity to use rhythm as itself to give us joy and pleasure. At its best rhythms created together as a group develop skills such as concentration, creativeness and lifts up the true team spirit. Positive impact of these exercises is reflected in many ways in the psychological and physical well-being of the group and its individual members.
One of his favorite tools are African drums or just rythm with instruments from nature or one´s own body. The rhythm of the Universe is the silent drumbeat of life. Rhythm is everywhere: in the rhythm of the day, months and years. Daily functions like talking, any kind of action or just mere living makes us part of that rhythm. It comes alive creating various events and passages in between. Man has felt this beat and used it as the rhythm of toil making hard work easier. (In our world we have often forgotten this, but) it can still be found among many aboriginal peoples. Markku uses rhythmic exercises to help a group to find its common tempo before they attend events and activities. Upbeat rhythm is a good warm-up for activities that require speed. Subtle or smooth rhythms cool the hectic pace down. Imagination and creativity give us unlimited opportunity to use rhythm as itself to give us joy and pleasure. At its best rhythms created together as a group develop skills such as concentration, creativeness and lifts up the true team spirit. Positive impact of these exercises is reflected in many ways in the psychological and physical well-being of the group and its individual members.
@2008 Outward Bound Finland