AEE Heartland Region

Register Now

2011-02-10T14:29:00.001-06:00

Hello Heartlanders!

Earlybird registration is now in effect! Sign up now and save big on the AEE Heartland Region Conferenc, March 18-20 at Bradford Woods in Martinsville, IN!

http://www.aee.org/conference/register/id/41/

2010-11-13T14:16:00.002-06:00

FACILITATOR IDENTITY WORKSHOP

Whether you are a new facilitator or have a few seasons under your belt, chances are, you are still looking to find your own identity as a facilitator. What kind of facilitator are you? What kind of facilitator do you want to be? We will begin to answer those questions and others in this engaging, thought-provoking workshop.

When: Sunday, November 21, 2010 1-5 p.m.
Where: RLAPD’s Aquatics Center & Nature Museum, located at 860 Hart Road, Round Lake, IL 60073
Cost: $15/person

Hosted by Hart’s Woods Challenge Course, and presented by Ed Caplan & Frank Palmisano, Jr.

Questions? Contact Frank Palmisano, Jr.
Phone: 847.740.9823
Voicemail: 847.546.8558, ext. 419
e-mail: fpalmisano@rlapd.org

Please register by November 15

OASIS GAME - 12/2/10 - Chicago, IL

2010-11-01T09:50:00.004-05:00

WHAT IF A GAME COULD CHANGE THE WORLD?

Based on a belief that everybody wants to, and can, transform the world, The Elos Institute of Brazil, works with people from marginalized communities and young social entrepreneurs to recover their ability to dream new realities and find the will to actualize these dreams now.

Elos is a social nonprofit organization founded by a group of urban planners and architects who use the Elos Methodology, the arts, and cooperative games (e.g., the Oasis Game) to create opportunities where people can contribute joyfully, voluntarily, and cooperatively to build a more beautiful,peaceful,and abundant world for all.

Join Edgard Gouveia Junior, co-founder of the Elos Institute, as he leads an experiential and thought-provoking workshop showcasing the use of cooperative games to facilitate social change. Through cooperative games, presentation, video of the Oasis game in action, Q&A, and discussion, youʼll leave this workshop energized and eager to incorporate and/or expand cooperative games in your work to to promote individual, group, organizational, and systems change.

Where: Northeastern Ill. Univ. 770 N. Halsted, Room 411 Chicago, IL
When: Thursday, December 2, 2010 1:00 - 5:00 pm
How: **Contact Christina Foster for more info. 847-910-3883**
Cost: $40 ($10 for students)

PHOTOS PLEASE!

2010-10-23T11:09:00.000-05:00

AEE Heartland Region is looking for photos for our website! Send photos of your school, program, students, colleagues, or personal adventures to aeeheartlandregion@gmail.com. Please include a brief caption. Thanks for your contributions!

Past the peak.....

2010-10-06T13:25:00.002-05:00

More leaves than not have fallen off the trees here in the great north woods. It has been an exquisite summer season here in Duluth, MN, beginning with 60+ degree days for two weeks in March, and ending with a mild October, mirroring the unseasonably warm spring. As I begin preparations for the long, harsh winter--as local lore predicts following such kind months--my thoughts turn inward, remembering those unique sensations and emotions felt at the peak of summer, those moments just after twilight on the Sawbill Trail. Paddling the Lady Chain of lakes from Grace to Ella to Beth and back again, hauling a stringer full of fresh bass, caught by an ecclectic mix of energeting and passionate teenage juvenile offenders. Preparing in those darkening hours for the fireside fish fry of a lifetime. Sharing stories, laughing at inside jokes, and gorging ourselves on cajun shore lunch and burnt marshmallows. Admiring the newness of their experience, while basking in my own renewed sense of rhythm, that unmistakable synchronicity with nature breathing in the dawn and exhaling the stress and incongruity of the modern world. These are the moments That stick with us.. These are the reasons we continue to do our "work" day after day, season after season--to share this process with others. Facilitating exploration and connection in the outdoors is an honor. May we all cherish these opportunities and our own gifts as educators. May we continue to help people find their own magic out there, and at the same time nourish our own wildness. Enjoy the day!

The road to Bradford Woods...

2010-09-29T20:21:00.003-05:00

Hi Folks-

It has been a while since an "official" post here. We are ramping up for the Association for Experiential Education 2011 Heartland Region Conference at Bradford Woods in Martinsville, IN: March 18, 19, 20, 2011. This is the 20th anniversary of Heartland Regional conferences, and it is certain to be an action-packed weekend of fun, learning, and collaboration! Stay tuned for details coming soon...

All the best from your regional council!

AEE Heartland Conference Summary

2010-05-13T00:11:00.003-05:00

The 2010 Association for Experiential Education Heartland Regional Conference was recently held at the YMCA of the Ozarks/Camp Lakewood near Potosi, MO. Nearly 80 people from 6 states showed up for three days of beautiful weather, educational workshops, entertainment, and F-U-N. We were lucky enough to be joined by vendors/exhibitors like Missouri State Parks, Leave No Trace, the Rainforest Adventure Center, TEAM Works, Going Green Promotions, OWLS, Achievement Transition Group, and the Old Raccoon.

As if workshops by Laurie Frank and Tom “Old Raccoon” Smith weren’t enough, other highlights of the 2010 Heartland Conference included a Keynote Address by Seth Warren and the Adventure Film Festival as the Saturday Evening Entertainment. Seth is a former professional kayaker turned multi-award winning filmmaker. His films Oil & Water and Nature Propelled have won awards all over the world and both films were highlighted in the Film Fest.

To top it all off, we had numerous donors that were very generous this year and helped raise over $3500 through our Silent and Live Auctions. Companies like Going Green Promotions, KEEN, National Geographic, RESTOP, LARABAR, The North Face, REI, and many others donated products to benefit the AEE.

Mother Nature's Child Trailer

2010-04-29T22:42:00.000-05:00

Here is an interesting trailer for a film called Mother Nature's Child. Check it out.

A Thank You to our Conference Donors

2010-04-27T07:22:00.000-05:00

Sarah and Jonathan enjoy all the AEE Heartland Conference schwag.

We wanted to take a moment and send out a huge THANK YOU to all of our Conference donors for the 2010 AEE Heartland Regional Conference. THANK YOU to:

Restop
Going Green Promotions
The North Face
Redfeather Snowshoes
LARABAR
Whole Foods
Woodland Hills
KEEN
Empire Canvas Works
Alpine Shop
Leave No Trace
Bending Branches
SEMO Rec Club
Freestyle
Native Eyewear
National Geographic
Headsweats

and of course...

Adventure Film and Seth Warren!!!

2010 AEE Heartland Conference Video!!!

2010-04-23T17:41:00.004-05:00

We could have written a nice lengthy blog to cover all the things that happened at this year's conference, but thought a video would pretty much sum it all up.

Turn up your volume and enjoy!

We will see you all next year at Bradford Woods!!!

A Playdate with Chris Cavert

2010-04-23T14:30:00.002-05:00

A PLAYSHOP with Chris Cavert and Friends

Hosted by Northeastern Illinois University's HPERA Department

and the T.E.A.M. Conference Event Group.

Dr. Chris Cavert is a faculty member at Northeastern Illinois University in the HPERA department and the author of The More The Merrier, The EMPTY Bag, Affordable Portables, and Games for Teachers. Joining Chris will be a number of regional facilitators who will share their adventure activities and programming experience that they use with middle school, high school, and adult/corporate groups. Together, they will facilitate a dynamic workshop of play, inspiration and FUN. This PLAYSHOP will benefit teachers, challenge course facilitators, counselors, after school program leaders, and corporate team builders. CPDUs will be available for attendees.

Date: Saturday May 1, 2010

Time: 9:00am-1:00pm (doors open at 8:30)

Location: Northeastern Illinois University

PE Complex, Auxiliary Gym

5500 N. St. Louis Ave.

Chicago, IL 60625

What to Wear: Comfortable clothes and gym shoes

What to Bring: A filled water bottle and healthy snacks

Cost: $50

$35, AEE Members

Questions: aeeheartlandregion@gmail.com

Register on-line at www.aee.org/conferences

I'm like totally psyched!!!

2010-04-20T13:50:00.002-05:00

AEE Heartland Council Chair, Jason Angione, getting excited!

Last weekend at the AEE Heartland Regional Conference, experiential educators from all over had the chance to get together and share their enthusiasm for the field of experiential education. During closing ceremonies, many commented that they were leaving the conference feeling inspired, refreshed, and motivated.

Before these sentiments fade into the background, we were wondering what exactly about the weekend made you feel "inspired, refreshed, and/or motivated" about the field of experiential education? Please respond to this post, capturing the highlights of the conference will not only help us plan for next year, but will help us all remember these sentiments when we are back in the daily grind and maybe feeling something less than "inspired, refreshed, and motivated."

So let's hear it...What exactly got you all fired up? What plans were you scheming about on the drive home? What is still on your mind today?

We Are Not Above Bribing

2010-04-05T21:39:00.003-05:00

We wanted to invite everyone again to the AEE Heartland Regional Conference. If you're into bribes, we have donations from:

Keen
Headsweats
REI
Whole Foods

Restop
Chaco
Falcon Guides
National Geographic Maps
Leave No Trace
Going Green Promotional Products
Larabar
Oberle

Just to name a few.

If you can't make the whole Conference, then come for Saturday! $70 to attend one day and includes all meals, a chance to win items in the Silent Auction, the opportunity to see the Keynote Speaker Seth Warren, and the chance to watch the Adventure Film Festival!!!

This is a great opportunity! Don't Miss It!!!!

Students Pay Only $110 !!!!

2010-03-31T21:23:00.001-05:00

Calling all Students!

The AEE Heartland Region is offering a special discount for students to be able to attend this year’s annual conference. All students interested in attending will have the opportunity to take advantage of the specially priced Student Camping option to help keep conference fees low. Don’t miss out on a chance to attend a professional conference on a student-friendly budget!

Student Tent Camping option: only $110.00

(This includes lodging in the reserved student tent camping area, all meals, and all conference fees for the entire weekend!)

Join us for the Heartland Region Social hosted by the Student Professional Group on Friday night for an evening around the campfire. Love music? Bring your guitar, drums, or whatever you play and join the Heartland Region All-Star Jam Band, an informal jam session around the campfire!

What is the Student Professional Group?

The AEE Heartland Region Student Professional Group was started by several passionate students who wanted to help other students learn how to use Experiential Education in their chosen field and make connections with professionals, all while promoting the significance of Experiential Education as an alternative to conventional teaching methods.

Most students in Recreation, Park, Outdoor Education, and Experiential Education have one goal in mind: How can I set myself up for the most success upon graduation?

Active membership in a professional organization provides a direct avenue for building a professional network that will serve you well at the end of your academic experience.

Meeting and connecting with other people that are as passionate about your field will both fuel your energy and create strong bonds that will help further career.

The Association for Experiential Education provides an incredible resource for students and emerging professionals to:

• Expand their professional circles.

• Seek guidance and mentorship from many of the very same people who write their textbooks.

• Begin forming long lasting and far reaching professional networks.

Get involved!

Learn more about how AEE can add depth and value to your education. Add your voice as we expand the ways AEE caters to students at future conferences. Meet other passionate and motivated students. Begin creating your own professional network. Start charting your course TODAY. Contact Emily Wilk (ewilk@luc.edu) for more information.

Letter from the Chair

2010-03-30T23:06:00.002-05:00

Dear Heartlanders,

I hope that this letter finds you in good spirits and that you are enjoying the burgeoning spring air. You have by now received several emails from me and from the heartland council encouraging you to join your fellow educators, practitioners, and students from across the Heartland Region for the 19^th Annual Heartland Regional Conference: The Passion of Persistence. As the early bird cutoff approaches (Early Bird Rates end March 31^st), I want to extend a personal invitation to you to join us in Potosi, MO at the YMCA of the Ozarks, April 16-18.

Five years ago we held a heartland conference here and it was just a spectacular time. This year is shaping up to be an awesome conference experience for those who attend. Not only will they get the same quality presenters and workshops that they’ve come to expect from AEE, but they will also be excited to see some unique twists which aim to keep these conferences fresh and relevant to the progressive AEE community. From the addition of the student group and their hosting of the Friday night bonfire to the showing of Seth Warren’s adventures of pan-American travel in a “veggie-powered” vehicle, conference attendees will get a full and rich experience. Also attendees will get the rare opportunity to view The Patagonia and Leave No Trace Adventures Film Festival. It is being shown in just three locations on the planet this year, and the council is thrilled that the 2010 Heartland Regional Conference is one of those venues! With these opportunities so close at hand, I am hoping that you will become one of those attendees who takes advantage of them.

I know that your time and money are always being pulled in one direction or the other and that if you could, you would go to every one of the professional development opportunities afforded to you. But you, like me, have to choose and you, like me, want to choose wisely. I have always found that the regional conferences meet both my needs and my expectations for furthering my knowledge of experiential education and developing innovative practices in education. If you have attended an AEE regional conference I hope you find them as valuable as I do. If you have never attended one, I hope that you will join us and find out why people return year after year to these conferences. In either case, I invite you to register and attend the 19^th Annual Heartland Regional Conference.

See you there,

Jason Angione

AEE Heartland Region Chair

YOU Are Invited!!!

2010-03-24T11:51:00.001-05:00

A PLAYSHOP with Chris Cavert and Friends

Hosted by Northeastern Illinois University's HPERA Department

and the T.E.A.M. Conference Event Group.

Date: Saturday May 1, 2010

Time: 9:00am-1:00pm (doors open at 8:30)

Location: Northeastern Illinois University

PE Complex, Auxiliary Gym

5500 N. St. Louis Ave.

Chicago, IL 60625

What to Wear: Comfortable clothes and gym shoes

What to Bring: A filled water bottle and healthy snacks

Cost: $50

$35, AEE Members

Questions: aeeheartlandregion@gmail.com

Register on-line at www.aee.org/conferences

AEE and PlanetExplore

2010-03-17T22:34:00.000-05:00

If you want to keep posted on outdoor events then you need to check out a new project that The North Face is working on. PlanetExplore is an online community designed to help individuals and families learn about and participate in outdoor activities and events in their area.

We just wanted to take a minute and encourage everyone to check out their new project called Planet Explore. It is just one more way that The North Face is trying to give back. The website is a way to connect people to the outdoors through play, fun, and volunteering.

"Never Stop Exploring"

Raccoon Circles Activities

2010-03-13T13:50:00.000-06:00

Dr. Tom Smith will be offerring a Raccoon Circles pre-conference workshop at the AEE Heartland Regional Conference on April 16th at the YMCA Trout Lodge in Potosi, MO. This is a great opportunity to learn some teambuilding activities.

Click HERE for more details on the conference and registration:

You Can Still Get Early Bird Prices!

2010-03-08T19:39:00.003-06:00

2010 Heartland Regional Conference

"The Persistence of Passion"

Friday, April 16 th -Sunday, April 18 th, 2010

Pre-Conferences begin on April 15 th & 16 th, 2010

YMCA of Ozarks

Potosi, Missouri

Click Here to Register at Early Bird Specials!!

Also check out our amazing Student Camping option!!

**Please forward this to any person who may be interested**

Is TREE CLIMBING the Greenest Job?

2010-03-02T20:57:00.001-06:00

Hey All! Are you already signed up for the Tree Climbing Pre-Conference workshop (being offered by Jon Richards at Vertical Voyages) at the AEE Heartland Regional Conference or maybe thinking about signing up? Well, if you are signed up, then read this blog to get you pumped up for the workshop. If you are thinking about signing up then read this to convince yourself to sign up.

Click below for the full article:
http://www.theadventurelife.org/2010/03/the-greenest-job-might-be-professional-tree-climber/

Camp Grandma?

2010-02-28T21:21:00.001-06:00

Here is a good read about a grandmother in Missouri that offers a 7 day camp for her grandchildren.

Check out the full article here:
http://www.latimes.com/features/home/la-hm-grandma-20100220,0,7004209.story

The AEE Heartland Conference Brochure

2010-02-23T14:25:00.005-06:00

Hey Everyone. The AEE Heartland Regional Conference Brochure is now online. The conference schedule, workshop samples, Keynote speaker info, and more can all be found here.

Click HERE to check it out!

We hope to see you there!!!

Missouri State Parks Announces the Youth Corps Program

2010-02-19T23:24:00.000-06:00

This summer, young Missourians will have the opportunity to gain valuable work experience to prepare for tomorrow’s careers, while enjoying the beauty and grandeur of Missouri’s state parks. The Missouri State Parks Youth Corps will challenge participants to “Think Outside” by accomplishing interesting projects that help preserve and enhance Missouri’s state park system. In addition to developing the critical leadership skills that will prepare them for success in future careers, the program will bolster an appreciation for the environment and “green” concepts that are an exciting part of Missouri’s growing industries.

Who is eligible: Missouri youth that are 17-21 years of age
Program timeframe: May 1 – Sept. 30, 2010
Work locations: Missouri’s 85 state parks and state historic sites and at the state park central and district offices.
Salary: Minimum wage $7.25/hour
Length of employment: 240 hours
Types of positions: Trail worker, office assistant, concession aide, interpretive aide, park/site aide, maintenance/landscaping aide, website/communications aide

How to apply: Fill out the simple on-line application on the State Parks Youth Corps Web site: www.thinkoutside.mo.gov (available by Feb. 15, 2010). Counselors from Missouri’s 14 Local Workforce Investment regions will recruit and select applicants for positions.

Program funding: Funding for the State Park Youth Corps is made possible by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act and the Workforce Investment Act.

The Missouri State Park Youth Corps is a partnership between the Missouri Department of Economic Development’s Division of Workforce Development and the Missouri Department of Natural Resources’ Division of State Parks.

For more information: call (800)-592-6020.

AEE Heartland Pre-Conference Workshops

2010-02-16T23:34:00.000-06:00

We are offering some great pre-conference workshops this year at the AEE Heartland Regional Conference:

Wilderness First Aid Course - 2 day course
Leave No Trace Trainer Course - 2 day overnight course
Raccoon Circles - 1 day workshop learning group facilitation activities
Tree Climbing - 1 day workshop learning the ins and outs of tree climbing

Student led activity on a Leave No Trace course.

Visit our website for details on registering.

Don't miss out on any of these great opportunities!

The Adventure Film Festival Teaser!

2010-02-11T17:48:00.004-06:00

Here are some scenes from the Adventure Film Fest that will be playing at AEE Heartland Conference on April 17th.

Don't miss this!!!

And The AEE Heartland Region Conference Keynote Speaker is ...

2010-02-08T21:45:00.001-06:00

Seth Warren

As a professional kayaker for nearly 10 years, Seth Warren explored and paddled rivers around the globe. Inspired by the world’s natural playgrounds and his passion for outdoor adventure sports, in November 2004 he decided to focus on protecting these diminishing resources for future generations. To do so, he created the Elements Tour, a mobile advocacy project that teaches the public, and especially youth, about how to protect natural resources and live more sustainable lifestyles. He has shared ideas and given presentations to more than 280,000 people over the past four years including over 20,000 K-12 students in 16 countries. The centerpiece of Warren’s outreach is a one-of-a-kind carbon-neutral vehicle and rolling classroom called “Baby.” Warren retrofitted Baby, a former Japanese fire truck, to run on any natural or waste vegetable oil. Baby also creates and stores energy generated from wind, solar, and kinetic sources for later use. An intrepid filmmaker who uses his films as part of his outreach, Warren is the director of the award-winning documentary Oil + Water (2007), which detailed the longest-ever petroleum free road trip, as well as Nature Propelled (2010). When not on the road Warren calls Missoula, MT home.

Seth is a very entertaining speaker and very passionate about what he does. We will be showing both of Seth's films at the conference.

Don't miss out on this opportunity!!!!

New report from The Outdoor Foundation examines youth participation in outdoor recreation in the U.S.

2010-02-04T14:33:00.001-06:00

Here is a great article on the Outdoor Industry Association website. Check it out.

The Outdoor Foundation® today released a Special Report on Youth—a new research report detailing youth participation in outdoor recreation. Focusing on youth ages 6–24, the report reveals, among other findings, the most popular outdoor activities among youth, the frequency of youth participation in outdoor activities, the motivations and barriers of young outdoor participants and the most underrepresented demographics in youth outdoor participation.

Click here to read more...

The AEE Makes an Appearance at the Outdoor Retailer Show

2010-01-30T20:29:00.000-06:00

Last week, Executive Director Paul Limoges made the Association for Experiential Education's presence felt at the 2010 Outdoor Retailer Winter Market in Salt Lake City. Gear manufacturers, outdoor retailers, outfitters, athletes, and non-profit organizations got together for four days to do business. What a great opportunity for the AEE to get it's name out there in the outdoor gear world.

Check out Paul at the AEE booth in "non-profit alley".

The Adventure Film Fest at AEE Heartland Conference

2010-01-30T10:57:00.001-06:00

What an amazing opportunity!

We are super excited to have a special viewing of the Adventure Film Festival at the AEE Heartland Regional Conference this year. The regularly scheduled stops for this film festival are Boulder, CO, Chamonix, France and Santiago, Chile. You have got to see this!

The Adventure Film Festival is the international arena for the best and most inspiring independent films of the year encompassing all aspects of adventure, from serious exploration to environmental heroism to gripping tales from the edge of the believable.

Don't miss this!

Picture of the Week

2010-01-08T21:40:00.000-06:00

Southern Illinois University students paddling across

Devil's Kitchen Lake in Southern Illinois.

Leave No Trace and Experiential Education

2010-01-06T23:13:00.004-06:00

Earlier this year I co-instructed a Leave No Trace Master Educator Course in Southern Illinois. The course was ran through the Wilderness Education Association (a Leave No Trace course provider) and Southern Illinois University (a WEA affiliate).

What a great week we spent in the woods! We traveled by canoe and foot and talked a lot about Leave No Trace. At the end of the course we welcomed 5 new Leave No Trace Master Educators to a small club (there are about 4000 Master Educators worldwide).

The crew, talking about our day.

After the "graduation" ceremony.

There is always time for pictionary.

Welcome!

2010-01-04T21:45:00.003-06:00

Welcome to the AEE Heartland Region Blog.

Stay tuned for information on the AEE Heartland Region, the AEE National level, and experiential education in general.