FREE ESSAY ON DIVERSITY IN OUTDOOR ADVENTURE RECREATION

DIVERSITY IN OUTDOOR ADVENTURE RECREATION

Diversity in Outdoor Adventure Programs:
A Summary and Critique
Jamie Grey
Adventure Recreation 2033
Thayer Raines
April 9, 2001
People with disabilities in the past have commonly been limited to experiencing outdoor
programs that were segregated to only include the disabled. According to Sugerman (1996),
this has historically been the only solution for overcoming environmental barriers such
as transportation, architecture, economics, and public attitudes (p. 44). Diversity
within an adventure program can present new challenges for the participants as well as
opportunities for growth.
Sugerman displays how most people don't want to participate in programs designed
specifically for the disabled, but they are interested in programs that integrate people
both with and without disabilities. Activities such as hiking, rock climbing, kayaking,
canoeing, and camping provide the right scenario for a diverse group of individuals to
overcome their fears and to conquer a goal.
The Wilderness inquiry is an example of a modern program that integrates its participants
for outdoor adventures. Their Mission Statement goes as follows: Through the medium of
outdoor adventures, Wilderness Inquiry provides opportunities that integrate people in
experiences that inspire personal growth and enhance awareness of the natural
environment. The underlying purpose of Wilderness Inquiry is to provide positive
experiences that reduce stereotypes and empower people to push their perceived
limitations (www.wildernessinquiry.com). They offer adventurous activities such as
Kayaking in Lake Superior or Dog sledding in the Superior National Forest of Minnesota.
Most of the participants get involved because of the high adventure type of activities
that are offered. The people that choose to participate commonly show that they want to
push their boundaries and they are often trying an activity for the first time. This type
of integrated environment provides a great learning experience for the disabled
participants as well as for the other participants involved. 
Instead of finding the weaknesses in the disabled participants, the groups find teamwork,
cooperation and a greater sense of trust in each other. These programs help to break down
social barriers between participants. By the end of an activity, the group as a whole
creates a bond from the time spent together, the lessons learned, and the obstacles
overcome.
Another organization displayed by Sugerman was Maine Adaptive Sports and Recreation
(MASR). Maine Adaptive Sports and Recreation (MASR) is a non - profit organization
dedicated to providing opportunities for persons with disabilities to actively
participate in recreation, sports and leisure programs of their choice
(http://www.agate.net/~pelle/). MASR also educates other community recreation providers
on how to effectively include disabled participants into their programs.
Sugerman shows that MASR sponsors a canoeing clinic in conjunction with Unity College and
the American Canoe Association. The program is available to offer the disabled a chance
to learn the techniques of canoe and sea kayak paddling. During these clinics, kayak and
canoe instructors from local businesses attend to learn more about integrating the
disabled into their courses (Sugerman). 
For any organization involved in adventure activities, integrating the programs can
provide many positive results by exploring new challenges and over coming barriers.
According to Sugerman, a diverse group will allow the participants to recognize each
other as individuals and not as a label. Also, activities set in the outdoors present the
perfect opportunity for people to overcome stereotypes and barriers. Allowing diversity
in adventure recreation programs offers new experiences to people and can help expand
existing businesses. 
After reading this article in Parks and Recreation, Sugerman's argument for integrating
adventure recreation programs with disabled individuals sounds reasonable and well
supported by examples of organizations that have already worked with integrating their
programs and have found success. The disabled that participated in the programs
consistently expressed feelings of accomplishment, and success preceding the activity.
The instructors from other local businesses that attend these integrated adventure
programs learn how to work with disabled individuals, and pass the information on to
other instructors. This type of diversity in an outdoor adventure program has a positive
influence on the participants, and offers an opportunity for educators to learn more
about integrating other programs. 
This type of integration can be included in almost any type of adventure recreation
program. Disabled individuals can benefit from this type of experience. This information
provided will be very useful for current adventure providers as well as those in the
future. The environmental barriers that typically exclude the disabled from recreational
programs can be overcome by integrating the programs. 
References
Sugerman, Deb Ph.D. (1996). Including people with disabilities in Outdoor Adventure
Programs. Parks and Recreation, August. 44-47.
Wilderness Inquiry. The mission statement (2001) Retrieved April 9, 2001 at:
www.wildernessinquiry.com 
Maine Adaptive Sports and Recreation (MASR). Introduction (2001) Retrieved April 9, 2001
at: http://www.agate.net/~pelle/. 
Diversity in Outdoor Adventure Programs:
A Summary and Critique
Jamie Grey
Adventure Recreation 2033
Thayer Raines
April 9, 2001
People with disabilities in the past have commonly been limited to experiencing outdoor
programs that were segregated to only include the disabled. According to Sugerman (1996),
this has historically been the only solution for overcoming environmental barriers such
as transportation, architecture, economics, and public attitudes (p. 44). Diversity
within an adventure program can present new challenges for the participants as well as
opportunities for growth.
Sugerman displays how most people don't want to participate in programs designed
specifically for the disabled, but they are interested in programs that integrate people
both with and without disabilities. Activities such as hiking, rock climbing, kayaking,
canoeing, and camping provide the right scenario for a diverse group of individuals to
overcome their fears and to conquer a goal.
The Wilderness inquiry is an example of a modern program that integrates its participants
for outdoor adventures. Their Mission Statement goes as follows: Through the medium of
outdoor adventures, Wilderness Inquiry provides opportunities that integrate people in
experiences that inspire personal growth and enhance awareness of the natural
environment. The underlying purpose of Wilderness Inquiry is to provide positive
experiences that reduce stereotypes and empower people to push their perceived
limitations (www.wildernessinquiry.com). They offer adventurous activities such as
Kayaking in Lake Superior or Dog sledding in the Superior National Forest of Minnesota.
Most of the participants get involved because of the high adventure type of activities
that are offered. The people that choose to participate commonly show that they want to
push their boundaries and they are often trying an activity for the first time. This type
of integrated environment provides a great learning experience for the disabled
participants as well as for the other participants involved. 
Instead of finding the weaknesses in the disabled participants, the groups find teamwork,
cooperation and a greater sense of trust in each other. These programs help to break down
social barriers between participants. By the end of an activity, the group as a whole
creates a bond from the time spent together, the lessons learned, and the obstacles
overcome.
Another organization displayed by Sugerman was Maine Adaptive Sports and Recreation
(MASR). Maine Adaptive Sports and Recreation (MASR) is a non - profit organization
dedicated to providing opportunities for persons with disabilities to actively
participate in recreation, sports and leisure programs of their choice
(http://www.agate.net/~pelle/). MASR also educates other community recreation providers
on how to effectively include disabled participants into their programs.
Sugerman shows that MASR sponsors a canoeing clinic in conjunction with Unity College and
the American Canoe Association. The program is available to offer the disabled a chance
to learn the techniques of canoe and sea kayak paddling. During these clinics, kayak and
canoe instructors from local businesses attend to learn more about integrating the
disabled into their courses (Sugerman). 
For any organization involved in adventure activities, integrating the programs can
provide many positive results by exploring new challenges and over coming barriers.
According to Sugerman, a diverse group will allow the participants to recognize each
other as individuals and not as a label. Also, activities set in the outdoors present the
perfect opportunity for people to overcome stereotypes and barriers. Allowing diversity
in adventure recreation programs offers new experiences to people and can help expand
existing businesses. 
After reading this article in Parks and Recreation, Sugerman's argument for integrating
adventure recreation programs with disabled individuals sounds reasonable and well
supported by examples of organizations that have already worked with integrating their
programs and have found success. The disabled that participated in the programs
consistently expressed feelings of accomplishment, and success preceding the activity.
The instructors from other local businesses that attend these integrated adventure
programs learn how to work with disabled individuals, and pass the information on to
other instructors. This type of diversity in an outdoor adventure program has a positive
influence on the participants, and offers an opportunity for educators to learn more
about integrating other programs. 
This type of integration can be included in almost any type of adventure recreation
program. Disabled individuals can benefit from this type of experience. This information
provided will be very useful for current adventure providers as well as those in the
future. The environmental barriers that typically exclude the disabled from recreational
programs can be overcome by integrating the programs. 
References
Sugerman, Deb Ph.D. (1996). Including people with disabilities in Outdoor Adventure
Programs. Parks and Recreation, August. 44-47.
Wilderness Inquiry. The mission statement (2001) Retrieved April 9, 2001 at:
www.wildernessinquiry.com 
Maine Adaptive Sports and Recreation (MASR). Introduction (2001) Retrieved April 9, 2001
at: http://www.agate.net/~pelle/. 
Diversity in Outdoor Adventure Programs:
A Summary and Critique
Jamie Grey
Adventure Recreation 2033
Thayer Raines
April 9, 2001
People with disabilities in the past have commonly been limited to experiencing outdoor
programs that were segregated to only include the disabled. According to Sugerman (1996),
this has historically been the only solution for overcoming environmental barriers such
as transportation, architecture, economics, and public attitudes (p. 44). Diversity
within an adventure program can present new challenges for the participants as well as
opportunities for growth.
Sugerman displays how most people don't want to participate in programs designed
specifically for the disabled, but they are interested in programs that integrate people
both with and without disabilities. Activities such as hiking, rock climbing, kayaking,
canoeing, and camping provide the right scenario for a diverse group of individuals to
overcome their fears and to conquer a goal.
The Wilderness inquiry is an example of a modern program that integrates its participants
for outdoor adventures. Their Mission Statement goes as follows: Through the medium of
outdoor adventures, Wilderness Inquiry provides opportunities that integrate people in
experiences that inspire personal growth and enhance awareness of the natural
environment. The underlying purpose of Wilderness Inquiry is to provide positive
experiences that reduce stereotypes and empower people to push their perceived
limitations (www.wildernessinquiry.com). They offer adventurous activities such as
Kayaking in Lake Superior or Dog sledding in the Superior National Forest of Minnesota.
Most of the participants get involved because of the high adventure type of activities
that are offered. The people that choose to participate commonly show that they want to
push their boundaries and they are often trying an activity for the first time. This type
of integrated environment provides a great learning experience for the disabled
participants as well as for the other participants involved. 
Instead of finding the weaknesses in the disabled participants, the groups find teamwork,
cooperation and a greater sense of trust in each other. These programs help to break down
social barriers between participants. By the end of an activity, the group as a whole
creates a bond from the time spent together, the lessons learned, and the obstacles
overcome.
Another organization displayed by Sugerman was Maine Adaptive Sports and Recreation
(MASR). Maine Adaptive Sports and Recreation (MASR) is a non - profit organization
dedicated to providing opportunities for persons with disabilities to actively
participate in recreation, sports and leisure programs of their choice
(http://www.agate.net/~pelle/). MASR also educates other community recreation providers
on how to effectively include disabled participants into their programs.
Sugerman shows that MASR sponsors a canoeing clinic in conjunction with Unity College and
the American Canoe Association. The program is available to offer the disabled a chance
to learn the techniques of canoe and sea kayak paddling. During these clinics, kayak and
canoe instructors from local businesses attend to learn more about integrating the
disabled into their courses (Sugerman). 
For any organization involved in adventure activities, integrating the programs can
provide many positive results by exploring new challenges and over coming barriers.
According to Sugerman, a diverse group will allow the participants to recognize each
other as individuals and not as a label. Also, activities set in the outdoors present the
perfect opportunity for people to overcome stereotypes and barriers. Allowing diversity
in adventure recreation programs offers new experiences to people and can help expand
existing businesses. 
After reading this article in Parks and Recreation, Sugerman's argument for integrating
adventure recreation programs with disabled individuals sounds reasonable and well
supported by examples of organizations that have already worked with integrating their
programs and have found success. The disabled that participated in the programs
consistently expressed feelings of accomplishment, and success preceding the activity.
The instructors from other local businesses that attend these integrated adventure
programs learn how to work with disabled individuals, and pass the information on to
other instructors. This type of diversity in an outdoor adventure program has a positive
influence on the participants, and offers an opportunity for educators to learn more
about integrating other programs. 
This type of integration can be included in almost any type of adventure recreation
program. Disabled individuals can benefit from this type of experience. This information
provided will be very useful for current adventure providers as well as those in the
future. The environmental barriers that typically exclude the disabled from recreational
programs can be overcome by integrating the programs. 
References
Sugerman, Deb Ph.D. (1996). Including people with disabilities in Outdoor Adventure
Programs. Parks and Recreation, August. 44-47.
Wilderness Inquiry. The mission statement (2001) Retrieved April 9, 2001 at:
www.wildernessinquiry.com 
Maine Adaptive Sports and Recreation (MASR). Introduction (2001) Retrieved April 9, 2001
at: http://www.agate.net/~pelle/. 
Diversity in Outdoor Adventure Programs:
A Summary and Critique
Jamie Grey
Adventure Recreation 2033
Thayer Raines
April 9, 2001
People with disabilities in the past have commonly been limited to experiencing outdoor
programs that were segregated to only include the disabled. According to Sugerman (1996),
this has historically been the only solution for overcoming environmental barriers such
as transportation, architecture, economics, and public attitudes (p. 44). Diversity
within an adventure program can present new challenges for the participants as well as
opportunities for growth.
Sugerman displays how most people don't want to participate in programs designed
specifically for the disabled, but they are interested in programs that integrate people
both with and without disabilities. Activities such as hiking, rock climbing, kayaking,
canoeing, and camping provide the right scenario for a diverse group of individuals to
overcome their fears and to conquer a goal.
The Wilderness inquiry is an example of a modern program that integrates its participants
for outdoor adventures. Their Mission Statement goes as follows: Through the medium of
outdoor adventures, Wilderness Inquiry provides opportunities that integrate people in
experiences that inspire personal growth and enhance awareness of the natural
environment. The underlying purpose of Wilderness Inquiry is to provide positive
experiences that reduce stereotypes and empower people to push their perceived
limitations (www.wildernessinquiry.com). They offer adventurous activities such as
Kayaking in Lake Superior or Dog sledding in the Superior National Forest of Minnesota.
Most of the participants get involved because of the high adventure type of activities
that are offered. The people that choose to participate commonly show that they want to
push their boundaries and they are often trying an activity for the first time. This type
of integrated environment provides a great learning experience for the disabled
participants as well as for the other participants involved. 
Instead of finding the weaknesses in the disabled participants, the groups find teamwork,
cooperation and a greater sense of trust in each other. These programs help to break down
social barriers between participants. By the end of an activity, the group as a whole
creates a bond from the time spent together, the lessons learned, and the obstacles
overcome.
Another organization displayed by Sugerman was Maine Adaptive Sports and Recreation
(MASR). Maine Adaptive Sports and Recreation (MASR) is a non - profit organization
dedicated to providing opportunities for persons with disabilities to actively
participate in recreation, sports and leisure programs of their choice
(http://www.agate.net/~pelle/). MASR also educates other community recreation providers
on how to effectively include disabled participants into their programs.
Sugerman shows that MASR sponsors a canoeing clinic in conjunction with Unity College and
the American Canoe Association. The program is available to offer the disabled a chance
to learn the techniques of canoe and sea kayak paddling. During these clinics, kayak and
canoe instructors from local businesses attend to learn more about integrating the
disabled into their courses (Sugerman). 
For any organization involved in adventure activities, integrating the programs can
provide many positive results by exploring new challenges and over coming barriers.
According to Sugerman, a diverse group will allow the participants to recognize each
other as individuals and not as a label. Also, activities set in the outdoors present the
perfect opportunity for people to overcome stereotypes and barriers. Allowing diversity
in adventure recreation programs offers new experiences to people and can help expand
existing businesses. 
After reading this article in Parks and Recreation, Sugerman's argument for integrating
adventure recreation programs with disabled individuals sounds reasonable and well
supported by examples of organizations that have already worked with integrating their
programs and have found success. The disabled that participated in the programs
consistently expressed feelings of accomplishment, and success preceding the activity.
The instructors from other local businesses that attend these integrated adventure
programs learn how to work with disabled individuals, and pass the information on to
other instructors. This type of diversity in an outdoor adventure program has a positive
influence on the participants, and offers an opportunity for educators to learn more
about integrating other programs. 
This type of integration can be included in almost any type of adventure recreation
program. Disabled individuals can benefit from this type of experience. This information
provided will be very useful for current adventure providers as well as those in the
future. The environmental barriers that typically exclude the disabled from recreational
programs can be overcome by integrating the programs. 
References
Sugerman, Deb Ph.D. (1996). Including people with disabilities in Outdoor Adventure
Programs. Parks and Recreation, August. 44-47.
Wilderness Inquiry. The mission statement (2001) Retrieved April 9, 2001 at:
www.wildernessinquiry.com 
Maine Adaptive Sports and Recreation (MASR). Introduction (2001) Retrieved April 9, 2001
at: http://www.agate.net/~pelle/.