International Conference UK

Whose Journeys? Where and Why?

The 'Outdoors' and 'Adventure' as Social and Cultural Phenomena: Critical exploration of relations between individuals, 'others' and the environment.

April 8-10th 2002

Hosted by Buckinghamshire Chilterns University College (BCUC), UK in partnership with the European Institute for Outdoor Adventure Education and Experiential Learning and the Institute of Outdoor Learning research forum.

Preamble:

The 'outdoor industry' provides or makes available outdoor adventure experiences for a variety of purposes including, education, youth and social work, management development, therapy, leisure and recreation. In most cases, but not all, these experiences occur in 'natural environments. Consequently, diverse outdoor traditions have been built not only in relation with specific geographical landscapes, but also shaped by particular cultural, social and political contexts. Arguably, such outdoor experiences are rarely subjected to critical analyses where they may be located with broader theoretical frameworks. The intention of the international conference is to provide a forum for critical discussion around'edventure' and the 'outdoors'.

Consequently, papers that explore any aspect of the 'outdoor industry' from a social or cultural perspective, particularly those drawing upon broader sociological and/or cultural frameworks would be extremely welcome. For example, papers may want to draw upon cultural geography or eco-feminism, or papers may draw upon critical theories to analyse empirical data around teaching and learning. Papers that engage with current methodological and paradigmatic discourses are encouraged. Papers that explore interpretative research including ethnographic and participatory are also welcomed.

Keynotes

Dr Frank Furedi, Professor of sociology. Author of Culture of Fear and Paranoid Parenting, on Challenging Challenge . The Precautionary Approach Towards Children Outdoors.

Dr Cara Aitchison: Co-editor Gender Space and Identity and co-author of Leisure and Tourism Landscapes, on Venturing into Other territories: theoretical journeys of social and cultural inclusion in outdoor environments

Dr Peter Becker, Marburg University, Germany. Professor of Anthropology of Sport. Chair EIOAEEL The Intense Longing for Authenticity-Why People Lookout for Adventure in Sublime Nature And others

Themes · 'Nature' and landscape · Education and teaching and learning · Youth and Social work: social inclusion; urban adventure · Adventure therapy · Management and development · Professionalism, training and assessment · Leisure and recreation: outdoor leisure education · Gender, difference and 'other' · Research, and additional themes not identified above

Abstract-Proposals Guidelines for paper and poster proposals are available from conference administrator. Final submission date mid-January.

Conference Administration Contact: Celeste Miles Faculty of Leisure and Tourism Kingshill Road, High Wycombe Bucks, HP13 5BB (UK) Cmiles01@bcuc.ac.uk 01494 603 042

Venue High Wycombe -Buckinghamshire - 40 minutes from London by Rail Accommodation Costs and details available December

Registration Non-residential, student and daily rates now available. Early registration advisable. See website or Contact Conference Administration. Conference Organising Committee Professor Barbara Humberstone and Kaye Richards Further information Conference Administration Cmiles01@bcuc.ac.uk Conference Website at: www.bcuc.ac.uk Web sites: www.outdoor-learning.org