Landfullness in Adventure-Based Programming: Promoting Reconnection to the Land

Abstract

Nearly a half-century ago, Aldo Leopold acknowledged the threat of “landlessness” in our society as measured by the loss of our collective awareness of, and admiration for, the land (Leopold, 1966). At present, this disconnect has evolved to the point where participants in adventure-based programs may find themselves traveling through “Any Woods, USA,” perceiving the landscape as an interchangeable backdrop rather than developing a personal connection to it. Experiential educators can take a tangible step toward solving this dilemma by promoting “landfull” experiences that actively engage students with place. The Landfull Framework consists of four areas of “landfullness:” (a) Being Deeply Aware, (b) Interpreting Land History, (c) Sensing Place in the Present, and (d) Connecting to Home. The essence of landfullness is for participants to discover a personal approach of relating to the land that is integral to everyday life.

Keywords

Sense of Place Adventure Education Aldo Leopold Cultural History Interpretation

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