W.E.A. Wilderness Education Assocation

WHAT IS IT?

Founded October 22nd 1977

First named WUEA (Wilderness Use Education Association)

Partners with Leave No Trace

Accreditation for programs currently providing education for outdoor leaders

Four types of courses Wilderness Education Workshop Wilderness Steward Program National Standard Program National Standard Program Professional Short Course

THE BEAUTIFUL RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN PAUL AND FRANK It all began in 1976 at a National Recreation and Park Administration student conference.

Frank Lupton was a professor at Western Illinois, and he had an idea of taking students out into the wilderness.

Paul offered to take the students out to Lander, Wyoming for a month long trip in the mountains.

The students learned these basic skills: (which became the basis for the curriculum)• Ethics

• Judgment

• Expedition behavior

MISSION GOALS To promote and support the professionalism of outdoor education and leadership by establishing standards through curriculum design, implementation, advocacy, and research-driven initiatives.

To promote professionalization of outdoor leadership.

Improve the safety and quality of outdoor trips.

Enhance the conservation of the wild outdoors.

MAKING THINGS OFFICIAL

On October 22, 1977 a meeting was held, by the time the meeting ended a few things had been agreed on those things were to establish a national or international corporation to be called the Wilderness Use Education Association. The founders also agreed that national “certifying” programs needed to be established at three levels:

SkillsLeadershipInstruction

18 POINT CURRICULUM

1. Decision Making/Problem Solving

2. Leadership

3. Expedition Behavior Dynamics

4. Environmental Ethics

5. Basic Camping Skills

6. Nutrition & Ration Planning

7. Equipment Clothing Selection & Use

8. Weather

9. Health & Sanitation

10. Travel Techniques

11. Navigation

12. Safety & Risk Management

13. Wilderness Emergency Procedure & Treatment

14. Natural & Cultural History

15. Specialized Travel/Adventure Activity

16. Group Processing & Communication Skills

17. Trip Planning

18. Teaching & Transference

EDUCATIONAL COMPONENTS

Outdoor Living

Planning and Logistics

Leadership

Risk Management

Environmental Integration

Education

JUDGMENT

Increasing one’s ability to exercise good quality judgment in decision making is the overall goal of any WEA program. Judgment involves the ability to utilized a process which enhances the probability of making a decision with a high rate of success.

WHERE IS WEA TODAY?

Holding yearly national conferences. Promoting opportunities for people to educate, learn and share ideas and concerns about current issues.

Continuing to certify leaders and accredit schools and programs. Awarding qualified individuals who are making an impact in the field of outdoor education and leadership.