ABSTRACT
This part introduction presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in the subsequent chapters. The part addresses specific ways that non-formal education occurs in the outdoors, including adventure education, challenge courses, organised camps, sail training, Forest Schools and adventure therapy. It describes the importance of connecting people to the diversity of experiences they have in the outdoors through review and reflection. The part identifies issues that require greater examination into the future, including connecting people and the outdoors, leadership and programme quality, outdoors for all, role of government and privatisation, research, and sustainability. It provides examples of how the purpose of these types of opportunity emphasise using the outdoors and nature to address educational, developmental and recreational outcomes. The part indicates that developing standards for accreditation or certification is difficult because outdoor studies are so broad. It explores the imperative for organisations to provide just leadership to assure that groups are not left out or experience unconscious discrimination.
