Outdoor Education in Texas.

Overview & Synopsis

In Dallas in 1970, high school outdoor education began as a cocurricular woods and waters boys' club sponsored by a community sportsman. Within one year, it grew into a fully accredited, coeducational, academic course with a curriculum devoted to the study of wildlife in Texas, ecology, conservation, hunting, firearm safety, fishing, boating and water safety, camping, hiking, archery, and cycling. By 1974 the ability of this program to foster lifelong interests in the outdoors and to teach responsible environmental behavior and attitudes led sportsmen's clubs, companies in the outdoor industry, and the Safari Club International Conservation Fund to form The American Outdoor Education Project. The Project's goal is to promote outdoor education classes and clubs in all public and private schools, colleges and universities nationwide. The report describes the Project's progress: outdoor education programs proposed in 50 Texas schools, establishment of a Colorado pilot program in Fort Collins, and numerous nationwide workshops and presentations. The report also provides guidelines for establishing an outdoor education course including teacher qualifications, fields of study, goals and objectives, activities and skills, a tentative curriculum guide, and names of resource organizations and individuals. A section on how to establish a complementary woods and waters club provides information on leadership, program content, officers, meetings, conduct, and financing. (NEC)