1	Creating Healthy, Guided Rites of Passage for Adolescents James Neill Centre for Applied Psychology University of Canberra
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3	Imagine We Have Just Landed On Earth
4	What Would We Report on Adolescents in Developed Countries? Behaviour Problems Drug/Alcohol Problems Family Problems Depression & Anxiety Learning Problems Uncertain future Lack of healthy guidance
5	What Did We Do In the Past? Physically-based, Spiritually-focused RITES OF PASSAGE
6	What are Rites of Passage? the way in which traditional societies structured life transitions
7	Universal Model Arnold van Gennep Separation - symbolic death experience - Transition - ‘neutral zone’ between old and new - Incorporation - reintegration with social order on a new basis -
8	Australian Aboriginal Model Maddern (1990) Symbolic Journey The Challenge Opening the Door to the Dreaming Responsibility Community Participation
9	"Adolescence is a time of..." Adolescence is a time of direction finding Responsibility for guidance falls with ‘elders’
10	Today’s Adolescents Face... A society undergoing massive change Working into the 2050’s Living into the 2100’s
11	Modern ‘Rites of Passage’ Religion Apprenticeships Military School Other experiences
12	School-Based Intervention Schools are increasingly asked to educate the ‘whole person’ Curricular: civics, PD, health, religion Extra-curricular: sport, drama, camps Special Programs Whole school philosophy
13	Effective Prevention Program Characteristics 1. physically oriented 2. use school context, outside school location 3. residential setting & long duration 4. conducted by therapists or trained leaders 5. incorporate aims of adolescents, parents & teachers and include them as targets in the program
14	Adventure Education Theory Hattie, et al, 1997 Immediacy of experience Difficult goals Supportive environment Feedback
15	Research Evidence Hattie, et al, 1997 (N~12,000) Typical outcomes: self-concept, leadership, well-being, communication Adventure program ESs ~.34 = 13% improvement Innovative, affective classroom-based programs ~.28 Psychotherapeutic self-esteem outcomes ~.37 Adventure program followup ESs +.17 = further 7% improvement = OVERALL AVERAGE: 20% improvement
16	Life Effectiveness Questionnaire Pre-post Outcomes for Adolescents (N=698) (Neill, 2001)
17	Main Adventure Program Models Residential Camp - Sport & Rec. Camps Adventure Expedition - Outward Bound Specialist Educator - Outdoor Education Group Extended Stay Outdoor Education Programs Longitudinal, Extra-curricular Program - D of E Indoor & Mobile Experiential Challenge - PA Creative & Dramatic Experiential Challenge
18	Other Adventure Education Models Science expeditions Environmental expeditions Overseas expeditions Expeditionary Learning Service-based experiential learning In-school adventure resources Spiritual/religious
19	Future Forms of Adventure Education? Rite of Passage Expeditions Ceremonies Marathon/Endurance Experiences Farm-based & Self-sufficiency experiences Alternative Education / Therapies Virtual Personal Development
20	In Conclusion Students face a challenging future and need healthy, guided rites of passage We have a responsibility to trial and evaluate a wider range of prevention programs Adventure education has sound theory, good research support, and an adaptable format