Programming in schools and colleges integrates hands-on learning experiences often in natural settings to enhance student engagement and personal development.
These programs focus on fostering skills such as teamwork, problem-solving, and resilience through experiential and adventure based challenges. By connecting classroom learning with real-world experiences, they promote holistic education that nurtures students' physical, emotional, and social growth.
Publications
Adamic, E. M., Wozniak, M. J., Dickerson, C. M., Miller, L. C., Panther, J. L., Vanderberg, A., Whorton, J., & Brown, C. L. (2026). Determinants of psychosocial wellbeing within a year-long youth cycling program. Frontiers in Sports and Active Living. https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/sports-and-active-living/articles/10.3389/fspor.2026.1892082/abstract
Brown, C. L., Lewis, O. J., McCarty, D. L., Ketchum, K. G., & Fox, S. B. (2026). Promoting leadership in prospective first-generation college students using outdoor adventure. Journal of Adventure Education and Outdoor Learning, 26(1), 109–126. https://doi-org.unh.idm.oclc.org/10.1080/14729679.2024.2428677
Deringer, S. A., Mitten, D., Rabinowitz, E., Leonard, A., & Clegg, J. (2025). Use of nearby nature in college outdoor programming. Journal of Experiential Education, 48(1), 4-21. https://doi-org.unh.idm.oclc.org/10.1177/10538259241265970
Murillo, S., Philipsheck, A., Dementyev, F., Bello-Sotto, B., Bhatt, E., Wilson, H., Madison, K., Schuck, L., Waife, S., Brown, C. L., Walker, E., & Wilson, S. (2025). Psychosocial well-being in middle schoolers: Effects of a school cycling program in the wake of COVID-19. Frontiers in Sports and Active Living, 7, Article 1646805. https://doi.org/10.3389/fspor.2025.1646805
Brown, C. L., Heddy, B. C., Gill, K. S., Gowell, J., & Koenka, A. C. (2025). Urban middle schoolers’ experiences of an outdoor adventure education program to facilitate social and emotional development. Education Sciences, 15(7), 841. https://doi.org/10.3390/educsci15070841
Fernando, D. M., Brown, C. L., & Robbins, R. (2025). An earth-centered experiential psycho-educational counseling group for Native American college students. Journal of Experiential Education, 48(1), 118-142. https://doi-org.unh.idm.oclc.org/10.1177/10538259241259657
Conway, P. F., & Rohn, K. C. (2024). Self-authorship development in the outdoors: But for whom? Journal of College Student Development, 65(1), 95-100. https://dx.doi.org/10.1353/csd.2024.a919353.
Brown, C. L., Christian, D. D. & Crowson, H. M. (2023). Effects of an adventure therapy mountain bike program on middle school students’ resiliency. Journal of Child and Adolescent Counseling, 9(2), 222-241. https://doi.org/10.1080/23727810.2023.2229084
Denny, S., Norton, C. L., & Tucker, A. R. (2023). Promoting resilience in college students through group-based adventure therapy. Journal of Therapeutic Schools and Programs, 15(1), 1-29.
Norton, C. L., Tucker, A. R., Rupe, B., & Riley, M. (2023). Positive youth development and adventure therapy with underserved youth: An evaluation of the Chicago Voyagers program. Journal of Outdoor Recreation, Education, and Leadership, 15(4). https://doi.org/10.18666/jorel-2023-11703
Rohn, K. C., & Conway, P. (2023). Thru-hiking and thriving: Exploring college student experiences on the Appalachian Trail. Journal of Experiential Education, 46(2), 161-179. https://doi.org/10.1177/10538259221115825.
Brown, C. L., Smarinsky, E. C., McCarty, D. L., & Christian, D. D. (2022). Student experiences of an adventure therapy mountain bike program during the COVID-19 pandemic. Journal of Adventure Education and Outdoor Learning, 22(4), 313-341. https://doi.org/10.1080/14729679.2022.2100430
Christian, D. D., McCarty, D. L., & Brown, C. L. (2021). Experiential education during the COVID-19 pandemic: A reflective process. Journal of Constructivist Psychology, 34(3), 264-277. https://doi.org/10.1080/10720537.2020.1813666
Christian, D. D., McMillon, P., Brown, C. L., Schoonover, T. J., & Miller, B. (2021). Using adventure therapy to improve self-efficacy of middle school students. Journal of School Counseling, 19(26), 1-44. http://www.jsc.montana.edu/articles/v19n26.pdf
Christian, D. D., Brown, C. L., & Portrie-Bethke, T. L. (2019). Group climate and development in adventure therapy: An exploratory study. Journal for Specialists in Group Work, 44(1), 25-45. https://doi.org/10.1080/01933922.2018.1561776
Karoff, M., Tucker, A. R., Alvarez, M. A., & Kovacs, P. (2017). Infusing a peer-to-peer support program with adventure therapy for adolescent students with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Journal for Experiential Education, 40(4), 394-408. https://doi.org/10.1177%2F1053825917727551
Norton, C. L., Wisner, B., Krugh, M., Penn, A. (2014). Helping youth transition into an alternative residential school setting: Exploring the effects of a wilderness orientation program on youth purpose and identity complexity. Child and Adolescent Social Work Journal, 31(5), 475-493. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10560-014-0331-y
