4th Annual REAP Symposium March 19 – 21, 2008, Santa Fe, NM
Research and Evaluation of Adventure Programming:
Connecting Evidence-based Research to Quality Programming
The 4th annual REAP Symposium was held in Santa Fe, New Mexico, from March 19th – March 21st, 2008. With 70 people in attendance, we met our goal of reaching out to a wide range of professionals interested in research and evaluation of adventure programs. The symposium was a joint effort between the Association for Experiential Education and Project Adventure.
The purpose of the symposium was to:
- Forward the research agenda of improving the quantity and quality of evidence-based research in adventure education
- Connect research with practice (and researchers with practitioners)
- Explore how evidence-based research and evaluation can influence program quality and increase opportunities for funding
This year’s symposium focused on the following themes:
- Purpose, need for, and issues surrounding evidence-based research in adventure education
- Programs that have benefited from engaging in research and/or evaluation
- Program development that coincides with undertaking evidence-based research
Highlights of the symposium included a keynote by Dr. Michael Gass of the University of New Hampshire, “The Four Pillars of Strength for the Future of our Field” and a featured presentation by Dr. Aleta Meyer, of the National Institute of Drug Abuse, “Federal Funding for Research and Evaluation of Adventure Programs.”
Special thanks to Sky Gray and Jenn Jevertson from the Santa Fe Mountain Center for helping host the symposium and providing a welcome and resources to those in attendance.
Plans are currently in the works for the 5th Annual REAP Symposium. Dates and location will be announced soon.