Outdoor Education for Behavior Disordered Students.

Overview & Synopsis

Outdoor education programs ranging from simple, near-school activities to lengthy wilderness camping experiences can benefit behavior disorderd students. Studies of outdoor education programs for these students have shown positive effects including improvements in self-concept, social adjustment, academic achievement, and group cohesion. Many types of programs now exist that use the out-of-doors in treating behavior disordered students. They include long-term residential camps, summer programs, day camps, and public school classes that integrate outdoor education into the curriculum areas or combine academic and high adventure programs. With skilled instruction, behavior disordered students can be successful at any number of challenging outdoor activities, e.g., rock climbing, backpacking, canoeing, orienteering, or cycling. Field trips that emphasize nature study or environmental education can also be effective outdoor learning experiences for behavior disordered students. The digest includes nine references and seven sources for further information (curriculum guides, program descriptions, etc.). (JHZ)