Outdoor program administration : principles and practices

416 Pages·2012·12.827 MB·English

by  Geoff Harrison, Mat Erpelding, Association of Outdoor Recreation and Education

Outdoor Program
Administration
Principles and Practices
Association of Outdoor Recreation
and Education
Editors
Geoff Harrison, MS
Boise State University
Mat Erpelding, MA
College of Western Idaho
Human Kinetics
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Outdoor program administration : principles and practices / Geoff Harrison, Mat Erpelding, [editors].
p. cm.
Includes bibliographical references and index.
ISBN-13: 978-0-7360-7537-4 (hardcover)
ISBN-10: 0-7360-7537-2 (hardcover)
1. Outdoor recreation--Planning. 2. Outdoor recreation--Management. I. Harrison, Geoff, 1970- II. Erpelding, Mat, 1975-
GV191.66.O88 2012
790.06’9--dc23
2011037869
ISBN-10: 0-7360-7537-2 (print)
ISBN-13: 978-0-7360-7537-4 (print)
Copyright © 2012 by Association of Outdoor Recreation and Education
All rights reserved. Except for use in a review, the reproduction or utilization of this work in any form or by any electronic, mechanical,
or other means, now known or hereafter invented, including xerography, photocopying, and recording, and in any information storage
and retrieval system, is forbidden without the written permission of the publisher.
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Contents
Preface ix
Part I Outdoor Program Foundations 1
Chapter 1 The Outdoor Program Administrator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Geoff Harrison, MS, and Mat Erpelding, MA
Outdoor Program Administration Defined ............................................4
Outdoor Program Administrator Defined .............................................4
Skill Sets for Outdoor Program Administrators.........................................4
Administrative Competence .......................................................8
Acquiring Skills.................................................................8
Professional Maintenance ........................................................10
Administrative Challenges........................................................12
Summary.....................................................................13
Chapter 2 History of Outdoor Recreation in the United States: An
Outdoor Program Administrator’s Perspective . . . . . . . . . . 15
Steven P. Guthrie, PhD, Bryan J. Cavins, EdD, and Jerome Gabriel, MEd
The Beginnings of Environmentalism and Outdoor Recreation: 1825 to 1880 ................16
The Beginnings of a Profession: 1880 to 1920.........................................16
National Environmental Consciousness and Outdoor Recreation Evolves: 1920s to 1960s.......20
Adventure Programming Emerges: 1960s to 1990......................................22
Outdoor Adventure Programming Today (1990 to Present)...............................24
Summary.....................................................................29
Chapter 3 Dimensions of Outdoor Recreation Programs . . . . . . . . . . . 31
Todd Bauch, MEd, and Steve Hutton, MA
Three Service Sectors of Outdoor Recreation Programs..................................31
Common Programmatic Types ....................................................33
Common Facilities or Resources of Outdoor Programs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .34
Outdoor Program Administrative Structures and Models ................................35
Summary.....................................................................38
Chapter 4 The Future of Outdoor Program Administration . . . . . . . . . 39
Laurlyn K. Harmon, PhD, and Susan L. Johnson, MS
Evolving Participant Characteristics ................................................40
Staffing ......................................................................44
Professionalization of the Field: Standards, Certifications, Accreditation.....................44
Youth and the Outdoors .........................................................45
Technology and the Outdoors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .46
Sustainability..................................................................47
Collaborations and Partnerships ...................................................50
Outcome Assessment............................................................50
Summary.....................................................................51
iii
iv Contents
Part II Program Design and Implementation 53
Chapter 5 Administrative Risk Management . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55
Mat Erpelding, MA, and Geoff Harrison, MS
Terms and Definitions of Risk Management ..........................................55
Creating a Comprehensive Risk-Management Plan .....................................56
Summary.....................................................................65
Chapter 6 Designing and Developing Outdoor Recreation
and Education Programs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67
Todd Miner, EdD, and Heidi Erpelding-Welch, MS
Vision .......................................................................67
Mission Statement..............................................................68
Strategic Plan..................................................................71
Sustainability..................................................................75
Dealing With Change: Evolve to Survive and Thrive....................................82
Summary.....................................................................82
Chapter 7 Legal Considerations in Outdoor Recreation . . . . . . . . . . . . 83
Brent Wilson, JD, and Tracey Knutson, JD
Negligence....................................................................85
Legal Definition (Elements) of Negligence............................................85
Negligence and Related Theories of Liability..........................................88
Defenses Against Negligence......................................................94
Role of Insurance in Legal Liability Matters..........................................104
Summary....................................................................107
Chapter 8 Budgeting and Financial Operations
of Outdoor Programs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 109
Tim J. Moore, MS, and Geoff Harrison, MS
Budget Components ...........................................................110
Budget-Development Strategies ...................................................114
Forecasting Expenses and Revenue................................................120
Summary....................................................................126
Chapter 9 Marketing Outdoor Programs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 129
Geoff Harrison, MS, and John McIntosh, PhD
Marketing Basics ..............................................................129
Identifying the Market..........................................................130
Marketing Mix................................................................132
Developing a Marketing Plan.....................................................138
Branding ....................................................................140
Marketing Methods............................................................141
Summary....................................................................144
Contents v
Chapter 10 Access and Permitting for Use
of Public Lands . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 145
Rachel M. Peters, MA
Outdoor Programs on Public Lands................................................145
Permitting Defined ............................................................147
Management Agencies and Regulations.............................................148
Permitting Tips ...............................................................159
Summary....................................................................162
Chapter 11 Environmental Stewardship . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 163
Whitney Ward, PhD, and Will Hobbs, PhD
History of Environmental Stewardship in the United States .............................163
Major Impacts of Recreation Today ................................................166
Applied Environmental Stewardship...............................................168
Integration of Environmental Stewardship and Recreation ..............................172
Summary....................................................................174
Chapter 12 Developing Policies, Procedures, and Guidelines
for Outdoor Programs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 175
Mat Erpelding, MA, Curt Howell, MA, and Brien Sheedy, MA
Characteristics of Quality Policy, Procedure, and Guideline Documents....................176
Considerations Specific to Developing Policies and Procedures...........................178
Developing Administrative Policies and Procedures ...................................187
Developing Field Policies and Procedures ...........................................187
Summary....................................................................196
Part III Staffing Considerations 197
Chapter 13 Staff Recruitment and Supervision . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 199
Jeff Turner, PhD, and Leigh Jackson-Magennis, MEd
Human Resource Planning ......................................................199
Staff Selection ................................................................206
Staff Supervision ..............................................................211
Summary....................................................................217
Chapter 14 Staff Training . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 219
Bruce Saxman, MA, and Tom Stuessy, PhD
Needs Assessment.............................................................219
Staff-Training Progression .......................................................220
Mentoring ...................................................................222
Staff-Training Assessment .......................................................223
Mechanisms for Training Assessment and Evaluation of Staff............................224
Staff-Training Designs: Integrated Training Model.....................................226
Activity-Specific Training .......................................................228
Staff Appraisal................................................................233
Summary....................................................................233
vi Contents
Chapter 15 Staff Assessment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 235
Jenny Kafsky, PhD, and Mark Wagstaff, EdD
The Basics and Purpose of Staff Assessment .........................................235
An Effective Environment for Assessment...........................................236
Assessment Criteria............................................................240
Assessment Tools..............................................................241
An Effective Assessment System ..................................................250
Summary....................................................................256
Part IV Facilities and Programs 259
Chapter 16 Rental Operations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 261
Rob Jones, MS
Planning ....................................................................261
Purchasing...................................................................265
Rental Center Operations .......................................................268
Summary....................................................................278
Chapter 17 Indoor Climbing Walls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 279
John Bicknell, MA, and Guy deBrun, MS
History of Artificial Climbing Walls ...............................................279
Climbing Wall Facilities and Construction ..........................................280
Climbing Wall Activities ........................................................284
Climbing Wall Management .....................................................287
Summary....................................................................292
Chapter 18 Challenge Course Management . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 293
Christina Carter Thompson, MS, and Adam Bondeson, BA
Challenge Terms ..............................................................293
History .....................................................................294
Challenge Course Program Design and Outcomes ....................................294
Primary Influences on Challenge Programming ......................................295
Challenge Course Facilities ......................................................296
Designing and Choosing a Course.................................................301
Bidding Process...............................................................304
Building Process ..............................................................304
The Challenge Course Administrator ..............................................304
Organizational Support and Resources .............................................311
Summary....................................................................311
Contents vii
Chapter 19 Land-Based Programming . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 313
Curt Howell, MA
Incident Prevention and Incident Response..........................................314
Cost Analyses ................................................................315
Determining Learning Outcomes .................................................317
Risk Management .............................................................318
Backpacking .................................................................318
Climbing....................................................................320
Caving Programs..............................................................323
Mountaineering...............................................................325
Ski Programs.................................................................326
Cycling .....................................................................328
Summary....................................................................330
Chapter 20 Water-Based Programming . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 333
Chris Stec, BS, and Geoff Harrison, MS
Incident Prevention and Incident Response: Needs Assessment ..........................333
Water-Based Programming: Flat Water .............................................343
Water-Based Programming: Moving-Water and Whitewater Venues .......................346
Water-Based Programming: Open Water............................................351
Summary....................................................................355
Chapter 21 Special Events Programming . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 357
Brent Anslinger, BS, and Amy Anslinger, BS
Special Event Options ..........................................................358
Risk Management for Special Events and Competitions.................................367
Assessing and Planning for Your Event .............................................367
Staffing .....................................................................373
Managing the Event............................................................374
Developing Timelines for Successful Events .........................................375
Putting the Planning Into Motion .................................................375
Summary....................................................................376
References and Resources 377
Index 389
About the Editors 399
About the Contributors 401

Preface
As the outdoor recreation and education profes- recreation administrator. Chapters 8 and 9 provide
sions continue to become an essential part of detailed information about financial operations and
an economically successful society, the need for marketing techniques to increase program success.
effective and experienced administrators increases. Chapter 10 provides extensive information about
Outdoor program administrators lead programs the process of gaining access and securing permits
in universities, municipalities, nonprofit organiza- to public and private lands. Chapter 11 discusses
tions, military, social services, and parks and rec- current and future trends regarding environmental
reation. The diversity of programming associated stewardship. Chapter 12 discusses considerations
with outdoor recreation requires professionals to in writing effective field policies and procedures for
be adept at working in complex environments. The those who supervise participants.
Association of Outdoor Recreation and Education » Part III: Staffing Considerations. Chapter
(AORE) has become the definitive source for cur-
13 discusses staff recruitment and supervision
rent and emerging recreation professionals in the
from the perspective of human resources. Chapter
various sectors. Outdoor Program Administration:
14 is dedicated to the development and ongoing
Principles and Practices provides professionals with
staff training necessary for maintaining a safe and
the information needed for improving administra-
successful outdoor program. Accurate evaluation
tive practices.
of staff through the development of rubrics and
measures is the focus of chapter 15.
ORgAnizAtiOn » Part IV: Facilities and Programs. This part
Of thE BOOk addresses issues specific to a host of outdoor recre-
ation facilities and technical leadership programs:
Outdoor Program Administration: Principles and Prac-
• Challenge programs
tices has four parts:
» Part I: Outdoor Program Foundations. • Special events
Chapter 1 discusses what is necessary for becoming • Water-based programs
an effective outdoor program administrator. Chapter • Land-based programs
2 presents a history of programming as it relates
• Rental centers
to outdoor recreation. This chapter is valuable for
• Climbing walls
administrators working on proposals and presenta-
tions to supervisors. Chapter 3 explores the types of Chapters 16 through 21 discuss specific program-
programs and the sectors where outdoor recreation ming and management aspects of each topic. Out-
is commonly offered. While some programs are con- door recreation administrators should understand
sidered historical models, determining the type of the general management principles discussed in
program an organization will operate affects future previous chapters and discipline-specific compo-
planning. Chapter 4 discusses the future of outdoor nents detailed in these chapters.
recreation administration as increased demand and
improved technology begin to influence the deci-
AuthORshiP Of thE BOOk
sions administrators have to make.
» Part II: Program Design and Implementa- The AORE worked hard to find professionals in
tion. Chapter 5 covers the importance of viewing administrative roles of the various sectors of outdoor
risk management as a gestalt process not limited to recreation and education. Most of the chapters are
field programming. Chapter 6 details the basic tech- coauthored. As a result of the extensive number
niques for establishing a vision statement and a mis- of authors involved in this project, chapter pre-
sion statement when developing programs. Chapter sentations may vary. Proceeds from the book will
7 looks at the legal considerations for an outdoor benefit the Association of Outdoor Recreation and
ix
x Preface
Education, and most of the authors donated their of knowledge and abilities required of outdoor
authoring stipend back to the association. recreation administrators. Each of these skill areas
is addressed throughout the text; however, manage-
COnsidERAtiOns ment skills serve as the focal point for the content
of the text.
Administrators are concerned with the overall vision » Audience. This book serves as a desk refer-
and direction of outdoor recreation programs. They ence for outdoor recreation administrators and as
are responsible for setting the course of the orga- an upper-level textbook for students in outdoor
nization. Managers have discipline-specific skills in recreation administration courses. This book is a
implementing policies, procedures, and directives reference to both field instructors and administra-
to meet organizational objectives. Unfortunately, tors alike.
many outdoor recreation administrators need to
» General reference, not prescriptive. While
function in both roles consistently as the result of an
the content presented in this text is extensive, by no
organization’s staffing hierarchy. As a consequence,
means is it an exhaustive compilation of all possible
the term administrator is used to designate a profes-
challenges faced by administrators. The perspective
sional in charge of an outdoor recreation program
is generalized to a broad base of business sectors and
in any sector (nonprofit, commercial, government).
outdoor program designs. This is not a prescriptive
Management is referenced as a set of skills essential
text that all outdoor program administrators must
for effective administration. This book addresses a
follow, because missions and delivery structures
range of programs, and it is recognized that some
will vary from organization to organization.
programs will have both administrative responsi-
bilities for setting the course for success and specific » Overlap. While each chapter addresses spe-
management responsibilities for ensuring various cific topics, the amount of overlap across subjects
aspects of the daily operations are completed. is immense. A chapter might reference other areas
The four categories of skills—human, outdoor, in the book that cover a specific topic, and keep in
educational, and management—are introduced in mind that the index is the place to find common
this text as a means of organizing the broad base terms and their locations throughout the book.