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Promoting the Adventuresome Spirit since 1970
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"When I think back on the major turning points in my life, the Wilderness Program at Earlham, and all that it led me to, is in the top three."
-Alan Kesselheim,
1975 graduate of Earlham College and acclaimed outdoor writer. |
Mission Statement
The Wilderness Program at Earlham College helps promote the adventuresome spirit through safe, high quality experiential and outdoor education. By fostering the development of technical and interpersonal skills, students gain confidence through increasing competence. Our programs aim ultimately to develop strong leaders who can flexibly apply their skills and knowledge to a variety of situations.Core Principles:
- The Adventuresome Spirit
Viewing obstacles as challenges to be overcome. Actively seeking out opportunities to learn and to push oneself outside the "comfort zone." Living life in a "positive state of non-expectancy"- allowing for appreciation of the trail magic that can come from being present and aware of the adventuresome potential of each moment.
Queries: How do I approach challenges in my life? What resources and support do I draw from? What have I learned about myself that will help me as I appraoch future challenges and obstacles? What gives me energy in my life? What takes it away? How can I take charge of my own learning and engagement? - Sense of Place
A connection to the land we are travelling through such that we are not just tourists or passersby but, rather, we become changed by our relationship with the land and its stories. As modern life increasingly separates us from such relationships, the principle of gaining a "sense of place" on wilderness trips reminds us that this value is critical toward the creation of a personal and a larger community-based environmental ethic.
Queries: How am I acting respectfully in this place? Am I doing all that I can to preserve the natural environment? Am I conscious of my impact on this place both ecologically and aesthetically? In what ways am I giving back to this place? Am I attentive to, and respectful of, the variety of people and cultures that live in and travel through this place? Are there things that I can learn from them and the way that they view and interact with this place? - Servant Leadership
Servant leadership is defined as the ability to think of others through the acquired skills of listening, observation, awareness, empathy, acceptance, and foresight. It is the difference between caring "about" something or someone and "caring for" it. It is an active behavior that happens in lots of little ways. A servant leader constantly thinks about how to help his or her group in small and big ways. A servant leader is also aware of "giving back" in small and big ways to the people and the places he or she experiences. Finally, a servant leader understands that knowledge and experiences acquired have moral consequences and leaves changed as well as committed to working toward putting that change into service.
Queries: What have I done today to make this experience better for my fellow crew? Have I viewed my fellow travellers in the best possible light, seeking to appreciate their unique talents, skills, and abilities? Do I tend to act as a crew member or a passenger in other areas of my life? What does the group need from me today to function in the best way we can? How can I put what I am learning on this course into action in my life? - The Contemplative Spirit
Kurt Hahn, the founder of Outward Bound and one of the central figures in the field of outdoor and experiential education created the 7 Laws of Salem which were his goals for operating his first school in England. One of his 7 laws was to "provide periods of silence, following the great precedent of the Quakers. Unless the present day generation acquires early habits of quiet and reflection, it will be speedily and prematurely used up by the nerve-exhausting and distracting civilization of today." Hahn wrote that in the 1920's. The art of contemplation and reflection is what brings meaning to our lives. It is also fundamental to the kind of deep and rigorous observation and scholarship we value at Earlham. On course, there will be many opportunities to practice the contemplative spirit.There will be "small" moments, for example, it is common to begin major meals with a moment of silence. There will also be "larger" ones like silent paddles and hikes, reflective solo's, and observation activities.
Queries: How much time do I dedicate to relfection, contemplation, and purposive observation in the "frontcountry"? What gets in the way? How can I make the most of opportunities while on August Wilderness? What role does quiet and silence play in my life now? What role would I like it to play? - Simplicity
Simplicity and simple living is comprised of two parts: inward simplicity and outward simplicity. The two are, of course, connected. Inward simplicity can be defined by the priorities and goals that you have in your life and how you make decisions about them. Outward simplicity is how you manifest those priorities and goals to the world. Wilderness courses are all about simple living- both inwardly and outwardly. You carry everything you need on your back or in your canoe. You eat simply but heartily. You will have a minimum of possessions and "modern" distractions. This outward simplicity, we hope, will encourage inward simplicity- allowing you to reflect on what is truly important to you and how you want to go about "walking joyfully on this earth" as George Fox, founder of the Religious Society of Friends" once famously said.
Queries: What are the three most important "things" in my life? What are my priorities? How do I want to live? What does it mean to me to "live simply"? Is this something that I want to value in the frontcountry? If so, why? If not, why not?"
Contact Us:
Wilderness Programs801 National Road West, Drawer 87
Richmond, IN 47374
phone:(765) 983-1327; fax: (765) 983-1207
Wilderness@earlham.edu