Evan Williams

Adventure Orientation Trip Leader

Outdoor Significance: There is nothing like being the great outdoors, and that is
why I chose to do my edge project in the outdoors. I get to have the great opportunity to
be a trip leader for the adventure orientation program, not only do I get to go camping
and hiking but I get to lead people on a fun adventure and make some new friends at
the same time. Being in the outdoors really helps you to gain perspective on the
necessities of life and what skills you need to have in order to obtain them. I often find
that when people are in a natural setting away from the stresses of everyday life, they
tend to find their sense of place amongst the group and really open up. The need to
belong is extremely evident in outdoor orientation program research. Students report
that making connections and forming bonds are the most important aspects of the
programs (Bell & Holmes, 2011).

Personal and Professional Develop: Being a trip leader for the adventure
orientation program can help me with not only my personal goals, but my professional
goals as well. This project will give me a chance to further develop my communication
and outdoor leadership skill. I also think that this would be a good chance to help
refresh the skills that I already have. I want to have a career in the outdoors when I am
done with college, so learning and maintaining these skills will be necessary in order to
be successful. This project also helps me to complete part of the edge program, which
is required for graduation.

Natural History: The natural history of southern Utah is rather unique and thereby
creating a landscape that is equally unique. The south western part of the state is where
my project will take place, it has had many types of climate in the past ranging from an
inland sea to a sand dune desert. This great diversity of past climates has produced one
of the most picturesque and visually striking places on earth. The area for my project
could range from ponderosa pine forest to sage desert. The temperatures during May
and August are most of the time mildly warm in May and warm to hot in August
precipitation can also vary depending on what region you are in. There are many types
of wildlife that I could encounter depending on the region that I am in. The wildlife of
south western Utah is very diverse as well, we have large animals such as elk and deer
all the way down to small lizards and snakes so this shows that we have a wide verity of
natural habitat for life to thrive. With this abundance of animal life also came people,
there has been many Native American tribes to live in the southern Utah regions for
hundreds of years.
Program/Organization Overview: The overview for the Adventure Orientation
program is to create a sense of belonging and attachment amongst the participants,
also to instill a sense of confidence and discovery in ones self. One large study of
adventure orientation programs (n= 1,622) found that students develop significantly
greater degrees of social support compared to other pre-orientation experiences, e.g.,
pre-season athletics, service programs, art programs; (Bell, 2005). I would agree with
Bell that another part of the overview is to help the new students to make connections
with their peers, and by doing so in a natural and challenging setting the bonds that are
formed are often stronger and will last. This will also make a strong tie to the school
and help them to develop and become actively engaged in their education and the
outdoors.
Detailed Timeline, I will have a training trip for all of the trip leader May 15-18,
and then I will lead the trip in August from 16-19.


Budget,
Item Cost Funding source Purpose
Fuel $35 Myself Travel to Cedar City
Equipment $65 Myself Camping equipment
Total $100


Safety Briefing: While in an outdoor setting there are always many safety
concerns that you have to consider. Here are a few of the risk hypothermia,
dehydration, slip and fall, getting hurt by wildlife such as snakes or spiders, allergies,
and other medical issues that each person might have. When we go out we will stay on
designated routes, and will not disturb or get to close to the wildlife. We will have a
medical data sheet for everyone who is participating, so we will know of any medical
issues that might come up. I will have completed the Wilderness First Responder
course, and I am first aid and cpr qualified, so if something should happen I will be able
to provide help as needed or until other help arrives.
Mentor Information: My mentor for this project is Briget Eastep PhD.
Project Analysis:
A. Personal strengths, primitive survival skills, experience and decision making,
land navigation,
B. Outside assets, The outdoor engagement center will be a big asset they are in
charge of the adventure orientation program and SUU Outdoors will provide
equipment to use for myself and the participant, the school motor pool will
provide transportation.
C. Personal weaknesses, Speaking in front of large groups is a weakness that I am
always work on.
D. Outside threats, Weather could pose a threat that could possibility cancel a trip.
Plan B, My plan B would be to use my Wilderness First Responder course for my
edge project. The cost is $550, it is held at Bryce Canyon National Park May 5-
13. I am already signed up for the course for which there are only 16 spots
available.


























WORKS CITIED
Vlamis, E., Bell, B. J., & Gass, M. (2011). Effects of a College Adventure
Orientation Program on Student Development Behaviors. Journal Of Experiential
Education, 34(2), 127-148. doi:10.5193/JEE34.2.127


Bell, B. J., Gass, M. A., Nafziger, C. S., & Starbuck, J. (2014). The State of
Knowledge of Outdoor Orientation Programs: Current Practices, Research, and
Theory. Journal Of Experiential Education, 37(1), 31-45.
doi:10.1177/1053825913518891