Reflections from the 2020 Student Award Honree

It was a treat to both attend the WEA conference and help in the background as a HoneyRock grad student/staff member this past spring. This past year, I was introduced to the WEA by my supervisor at HoneyRock, Mike Odberg, as we worked to integrate our summer wilderness staff training and the WEA 6+1 curriculum. It was an exciting process to utilize the curriculum as a framework and see its success play out in our staff as they led trips with skill, empowerment, and enthusiasm. 

This conference was an exciting opportunity to see more of the WEA as an organization and, even more so, a community. It also helped me as an outdoor professional to connect (and reconnect) with other professionals, which has been helpful as I’ve stepped into a new position working with an outdoor orientation program at a college. I’m looking forward to staying connected with the WEA crew as a source of community, learning, and growth!

In my new position as the Assistant Director of Outdoor Programs at Kalamazoo College, I help to organize and lead our pre-orientation wilderness program, along with developing our student leaders throughout the school year. Already, a handful of the connections made at the conference have been helpful as we have had to adapt our spring programming due to the coronavirus. I also anticipate that the WEA curriculum will be helpful in our leader training here in Kalamazoo.

Jess Port

2020 Student Leader Award Honoree

Board President Emily McKenzie, Honorre Jess Port, Award Nominator Michael Odberg

An Uncertain World

The world we have known is changing, and it has already changed in many ways. What we so

easily took for granted as mundane and routine has been uprooted. COVID-19 has opened our eyes to

the vulnerability every one of us faces each day. Out workplaces, grocery stores, and homes all affected

by such an imaginably powerful force, it is enough for anyone to become anxious. No one truly knows

how everything will look in the near future as we all scramble to figure out our unique situations. The

amount of control we once exerted over our lives no longer there. The freedoms we so easily took for

granted feel pressed upon and even taken away. In this time of uncertainty, what does it mean to be an

outdoor professional?

Gabe Garcez received his COE Clinic Certificate from instructors
Brad Daniel (left) and Andrew Bobilya (right) at the 2020 ICOL at HoneyRock

Uncertainty: it is as if the entire world holds its breath as it ruminates on this word. There was

no action plan for such a swift societal pivot. For all our planning and frameworks we never saw COVID-

19 coming. It kind of feels like a wilderness trip gone wrong, doesn’t it? There were plans, expectations,

preparations, and precautions taken, but - as we all know - to be in the wilderness is to be in the unknown.

Because within the unknown there is inherent uncertainty. The difference is it is an uncertainty that we expect; changing weather, blocked paths, a forgotten injury creeping up on someone. There is a mindset we fall into while in the wilderness, a mental space where we expect to be surprised, where our plans have

fluidity.

For all its beauty and wonder the wilderness can be harsh and unforgiving. Yet we constantly

bring others into it. So why? Why do we put others in situations where even when we have taken every

precaution we cannot guarantee their safety? I would say it is because we all know of the transformative

power of the unknown, the growth and experience not found elsewhere. The difference for the outdoor

professional is we have become accustomed to uncertainty in the wilderness.

At this moment, countless others are facing levels of uncertainty they have never felt before.

There is no guide to help them along the way, though -- no calming presence. I believe that now, more

than ever, the outdoor professional has something of value for every person. Every home, school,

workplace, gathering place has become a wilderness experience, a trip into the unknown. With

uncertainty in every step forward, each of us must grow in our capacity to handle uncertainty. I believe

more than providing outdoor experiences quickly, our next step should be to empower those around us

to take up a wilderness mindset, so that even in an uncertain world others can experience peace.

Gabriel Garcez
Coordinator for Bear Adventures at Baylor University
2020 Certified Outdoor Educator Clinic Student

Gabe also invites you to join a Community Chat on May 28th 

to continue this discussion or connect over other issues. Read more here.

Reflections from the 2020 Paul Petzoldt Award Honoree

Now that the spring beauties, magnolias, and redbuds are busting out in Forgottonia, I find myself pondering the WEA Conference at Honey Rock of this late winter. It was a long one that has turned into a longer spring. Thanks again to the board, conference committee, and volunteers, for putting together such a wonderful program. Especially Rob, Mike, and all of Honey Rock staff for hosting with such kindness and thoughtful hospitality to our needs. Having been on the production side of conferences before, I appreciate how much work and midnight oil it takes to make it go. It is always good to get together in vivo to chat, compare notes, and commune with kindred spirit. 

It is especially important to stay connected with colleagues and fellow outdoor educators because we operate in such isolated venues and locations. Contending as we so often do with competition for scarce resources, I expect times will only get harder as the world attempts to address the emergent situation. I am reminded of the friends I have made through the association and the support both moral and practical they have rendered over the years. Keep these WEA friends and networks in mind as you try to solve the problems emerging from the COVID situation. Fulfilling our mission requires we get up close and personal with our students, campers, and clients. Sharing what ideas and information we have will help to weather the situation. Let’s Keep in touch!

Mike McGowan

2020 Paul Petzoldt Leadership Award Honoree and Keynote Speaker

Presented to Mike by long-time WIU colleague and friend, Jeff Tindall.

 

Award presented by WEA Board President, Emily McKenzie

 

Mike with former-student and HoneyRock conference host, Michael Odberg

 

Nominate Colleagues for Association Awards Honoring Excellence

In 2018 Dr. Andrew Bobilya received The WEA Certified Outdoor Educator Award at the conference held in Utah.  This was meaningful to him because he “believes in the work of the WEA and its potential to improve practice in wilderness education. Because of this and my commitment to integrating WEA curriculum in my courses, it is an honor to be recognized by my peers and the WEA. The award came as a surprise and was encouraging.”

When asked why others should nominate their colleagues and/or peers Andrew stated “These awards offer a wonderful opportunity to highlight the good work our colleagues are doing and to be an encouragement. I encourage all WEA members to consider nominating an individual or organization for at least one award this year.”

6 Ways to Engage Environmental Integration

by Jess Port, of HoneyRock

Walk with a child into a forest, field, or wetland and you’ll quickly end up squatting down at their level, marveling alongside them at something seemingly insignificant at first glance. Walk with an adult through the same area though, and it’s far less likely that you’ll end up with your shoes kicked off walking through the dirt hunting for bugs.

HoneyRock lagoon in snow

HoneyRock cross-country skiing

Often, integrating environmental education into our programming can feel intimidating – particularly for those of us who don’t have tree and plant identifications stored away in our brains. However, environmental integration is about much more than identifying the tree that you bike past as an acer saccharum (sugar maple) or pointing out the edible wild plants around you as you hike down a trail. It’s also about opening one’s eyes to the environmental wonders surrounding them and harkening back to the marvel and wonder that we see spark so readily in kid’s eyes when they experience nature.

Having facilitated environmental lessons for a variety of ages from elementary schoolers experiencing the thick woods of Michigan for the first time to college-aged summer wilderness leaders going through training here at HoneyRock, I’ve picked up a few tricks along the way that can help re-kindle that sense of wonder and curiosity that can come with environmental integration in programming.

1. Get on their level

Kids have a unique perspective on nature simply because they are closer to the ground where there are so many things to see! It may look silly to the average passerby but on your next lunch break kneel by the base of a tree or waddle around a little patch of grass in the squatting position and see what you can find to marvel at.

2. Tune your senses

One of my favorite activities to facilitate with people to bring greater awareness to their senses is to have them “put their deer ears on.” Sit and listen quietly – how many things can you hear? Can you identify any of the sounds? Now, cup your hands behind your ears to catch those sounds waves better – what do you hear now? Or take a lesson from your dog and dab some water on your upper lip/beneath your nose to amplify your sense of smell.

3. Engage creativity

Draw, photograph, paint, or take a rubbing of something you find that intrigues you – keep a naturalist’s notebook or doodle these in the margins of your planner, checklists, or journal. Ask your staff and participants what analogies they can pull from the environment around them that tie into the lessons they are learning through your program.

4. Build enthusiasm

If we’re excited, others will be excited. Get stoked about the hard shell of the acorn that withstood hitting you on the head during your run this morning or the blue-colored berries that you found hiding in bushes in your backyard that mash into a purple paste. Share these discoveries with others!

5. Slow down and sit

Stare at a one by one square foot for at least five minutes – go for ten or more if you want a challenge. What do you notice? Boredom inspires curiosity, creativity, and observation. Take advantage of it.

6. Kick off your shoes – yes, even in the snow!

Feel the earth or snow or grass in between your toes. Feeling like a kid yet? Crab walk across a lawn or forest floor to get the full experience underneath your hands and feet.

The winter season here at HoneyRock has provided an excellent space for me to flex these muscles of wonder and curiosity and to develop my observation skills, encouraging me to press further into environmental integration in programming. Maybe it’s because of the quiet and soft light during the long golden hours before a winter afternoon sunset. Or because the landscape feels foreign and new (in an exciting way) when you’re surrounded by snow-covered pine trees towering over you. Or maybe it’s because of the way bird calls echo across the lake. Or the unique places you can access on snowshoes or cross-country skis that you wouldn’t get to on foot in the summer. Whatever it may be, it’s an exciting and unique place to rekindle one’s sense of wonder and curiosity and begin to integrate environmental observations into your life and, eventually, your programming.

Come visit HoneyRock this winter for WEA's 31st International Conference on Outdoor Leadership and re-kindle your wonder and awe!

Learn more about the Environmental Integration standards of WEA’s curriculum.

Seeking Nominations for Awards Recognizing Excellence in Outdoor Leadership

Why Nominate for WEA Awards

In 1992, Dr. Mark Wagstaff received the Frank Lupton Service Award. The Lupton Award, named after the WEA founder and service-driven educator recognizes an individual who has been actively involved with the WEA for at least ten years. Recipients are recognized for their outstanding efforts to support the association: they serve as an outstanding ambassador of the WEA and make a significant impact on the association through service in volunteer roles on the Board of Directors, on committees, in fundraising, as a conference presenter, in curriculum development, and with JOREL contributions.

Receiving the award was meaningful to Mark because he devoted thee years of his professional life to the WEA to serve as the Executive Director. At the time he received the award, he had stepped down to pursue his doctorate degree at Oklahoma State. He really appreciated being recognized for his work and accomplishments during his tenure as Executive Director: it made him feel appreciated and valued. He urges today's members to nominate colleagues and peers. 

“At this point in time, it is paramount that individuals be recognized. The organization is driven by volunteers who donate significant time and energy into the organization. Nominating those who deserve recognition is a powerful way to honor individuals for their effort and commitment.”

Nominations for 2020 Awards are open now. Simple online nomination forms are available to all WEA members after logging into the WEA website member portal. 

Read more about the awards and see past recipients at https://www.weainfo.org/awards

Who, Me?- Submitting Your Presentation Proposal

Shared by WEA Board Member and TCU Senior Consultant for Learning & Development, Cameron Potter

Why submit a presentation proposal?

Submitting a presentation proposal can be intimidating at first, but there are a number of reasons to push through the fear (or sloth) and submit. 2020 ICOL submissions close November 1!

1. Preparing a presentation proposal requires you to refine your thoughts.

Even the most tried and true ideas or practices merit a closer look. Walking through the mental process of presenting to others allows the opportunity to revisit, revamp, and retool your own ideas.

2. Presenting your ideas to others provides feedback, conversation, and networking opportunities.

Those that attend your presentation do so for a reason, often because the topic is interesting or appealing in some way. As a result, you get a room filled with like-minded individuals that are interested in discussing your topic with you!

3. Engagement

While you may not feel like an expert on everything, you have something to share or teach someone. Especially for those of us that don’t feel like we have it all figured out, presenting is an important step in moving forward. Engage others with your ideas, get involved in discussion and conversation, ask questions and engage others!

4. Build your network

Similar to engaging others, presenting connects you with others and provides easy conversation starters. Conversations lead to friendships, and friendships lead to a professional network that you can call to ask questions, get recommendations, or provide guidance.

5. Get the most out of the 2020 ICOL

Presenting allows you to participate on both sides of the conference – as a teacher and a learner. It provides opportunities to invest in others, natural avenues to build relationships, and may unlock funding opportunities through your institution.

Don’t hesitate, submit your presentation proposal today!