Risk

Like any other subject matter, adventure education requires an expert that is well-educated and trained to reduce risk (Timken & McNamee, 2012). According to Timken and McNamee (2012), “The risk in outdoor education activities tends to be real given the limited control over the natural environment (weather, animals, insects). As with adventure education, a high level of expertise is required to reduce risk potential” (pp. 23-24). The risk for outdoor pursuits is often termed as actual risk because of the little control over the natural environment, whereas risk in adventure education is termed as perceived risk because of the controlled environment (Timken & McNamee, 2012). For adventure education, “there is an element of risk, but that risk is fabricated to highlight situations to elicit particular social and/or emotional responses of participants. The actual risk is lessened due to the required training and expertise of facilitators” (Timken & McNamee, 2012, pp. 23-24).

References

Timken, G. L., & McNamee, J. (2012). New perspectives for teaching physical education: Preservice teachers’ reflections on outdoor and adventure education. Journal of

Teaching in Physical Education, 31(1), 21–38. https://doi.org/10.1123/jtpe.31.1.21