To combat the challenges many of our partners in the education field are facing, we are now offering virtual programs. Find out more.

Education for life.

The Educators Initiative is an innovative program that focuses on professional development for classroom teachers through the lens of experiential education. Teachers are immersed in a collaborative environment where firsthand experiences, hands-on learning, and individual and group reflection foster professional growth and personal transformation. Educators will focus on how to incorporate experiential education into their classrooms while receiving the support of a network of colleagues to assist them in their curriculum development and delivery.

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Program Components

• Weeklong wilderness expedition in the North Carolina mountains, including backpacking, rock climbing, ropes course, and experiential education workshops

• One weekend retreat where participants reconvene with NCOBS staff and other experts in the field of experiential education

• Readings on current educational topics that spark reflection, discussion, and innovation

• Hours towards Continuing Education Credits that will be documented for wilderness course workshops and weekend retreats. It is the responsibility of each participant to submit the required paperwork to their local or state district

• Develop and reinforce teachers’ understanding and appreciation of experiential education philosophy and methodology
• Support teachers as they seek to integrate both the process and content of experiential education in their classrooms
• Provide teachers with tools and strategies to promote intentional community development among students
• Encourage teachers to focus on reflective and student-centered practice, empowering student responsibility for classroom leadership
• Develop community among participating teachers at each school as well as with colleagues at other schools
• Promote accountability for teachers and sustainability of the program through ongoing collaboration among participants and North Carolina Outward Bound School staff