Outdoor Adventure Safety
Venturing into the backcountry or remote wilderness is often done to foster individual and personal growth, transformation, and opportunities for learning; outdoor adventures like this and organized camp programs traditionally go hand in hand as both are in alignment typically with similar benefits and goals. However, it’s important to note that outdoor adventure experiences involve a level of inherent risk, like being far from medical care or in places where communication is difficult. Risk is not just something to be tolerated, but rather, an ingredient that adds essential value to an outdoor experience and to running a successful outdoor program as well. Any program leading participants into remote outdoor environments has a critical need for strong risk management assessment and planning.
A study completed by the University of New Hampshire, reported in the Journal of Therapeutic Schools and Programs, found that adolescents and youth participating in wilderness and outdoor adventure therapy programs are at significantly less risk of injury than those playing football – when they are conducted correctly and safely of course. A Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) study, presented in the journal Wilderness and Environmental Medicine, shared that a low risk of illness and injury while participating in these types of activities are possible thorough planning, preparation, and problem anticipation. Taking proactive measures through engaged leadership and evaluation is key for controlling most inherent risks and reduce potential participant/staff injury and organizational liability. Check out our resources below to help you support you through this process!
Does your camp offer outdoor adventure programming or lead trips out into remote wilderness areas? Take the first steps today by reviewing the resources below to better understand the risks associated with this exciting and rewarding program area.
- Risk Management for Outdoor Leaders, Second Edition - Drawing on decades of experience managing risk in the outdoors, this book is a practical guide for managing risk through leadership and it includes case studies and advice from thoughtful outdoor professionals.
- Managing Risk: Systems Planning for Outdoor Adventure Programs - Written by two leading voices in the adventure risk world, this book is the adventure guide’s resource for risk management and systems planning.
- Lessons Learned : A Guide to Accident Prevention and Crisis Response - Is a classic in the outdoor risk management literature, along with its companion, Lessons Learned II.
- Risk Management for Outdoor Programs: A Guide to Safety in Outdoor Education, Recreation and Adventure - Offers an in-depth view of risk management theory, case studies, and practical guidance for outdoor, experiential, and travel-based programs.
Once you understand the basics, it's time to start taking concrete actions to prepare. Use the tools below to better prepare your people and organization around outdoor adventure program safety:
- Manual of Accreditation for Adventure Programs – Set of industry-accepted standards for professional evaluation of experiential and adventure programs.
- Standards-At-A-Glance - American Camp Association (ACA) Accreditation Program
Additional Resources & Supporting Organizations
Browse the following additional resources, supporting organizations and related links to learn more about important topics and issues related to outdoor adventure program safety:
