alive outdoors inc. · alive outdoors inc. “achieving exceptional outcomes ... of time students...
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ALIVE OutdOOrs Inc.
www.aliveoutdoors.com
CBJ
ALIVE OutdOOrs InC. “Achieving Exceptional Outcomes Through Experiential Learning”
sErVIcEs
ALIVE OutdOOrs InC. “Achieving Exceptional Outcomes Through Experiential Learning”
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sErVICEs » ALIVE Outdoors Inc.4
Adventure. Leadership. Individuality. Values. Empowerment. These characteristics are the defining backbone and essence of experiential learning for ALIVE Outdoors Incorporated. “Outdoor education” and “sustainable education” have become increasingly popular terms in mainstream schooling. This method of learning capitalizes on the power of outdoor experiential education to enhance education programs.
As A former physical-education teacher,
Jalynn Bosley knew that learning in the outdoor
classroom created long lasting lessons. With
this in mind, she left her teaching job in search
of finding an environment where she could help
students connect on a level that was not pos-
sible in the classroom. Jalynn went back to her
roots remembering the impact camping and
canoe trips had on her life. “It’s the simplicity
of connecting with nature and yourself. I knew
I wanted to pass on these experiences to help
youth experience what it feels like to be “alive,”
says Bosley. she went on to create Personal
Leadership programs with specific goals that
allow each participant to flourish and to recog-
nize their inner strengths and potential.
studies have found that contact with the envi-
ronment produces more eco-friendly behaviour
and people must be exposed to nature as children
5nOVEMBEr 2013 « the canadian Business Journal
Founded by the Basilian Fathers, St. Michael’s College School offers young men, grades 7-12, an enriched, Catholic, liberal arts programme complemented by diverse co-curricular activities. Our programme is designed to prepare
students for university education and to be leaders in their community.
For more information... Admissions Office: 416.653.3180 x 438 | [email protected] | stmichaelscollegeschool.com
�e Leader in Catholic Boys’
Education
if they are to care about it as adults. With fewer
adults spending time in the great outdoors, chil-
dren are less likely to experience it. “We’re shifting
away from natural environments” says Bosley.
students spend the majority of a six-
hour day, five days per week sitting in classes.
Outdoor Education strives to provide students
the opportunity to learn by doing, creating not
only an environment that promotes a healthy
lifestyle, but also conducive to all learning
styles. “Our programs get kids away from the
city and away from technology giving them the
opportunity to truly connect with people.” the
incorporation of experiential learning, particularly
in the outdoors, could vastly reduce the amount
of time students spend deskbound as well as
encourage them to develop a deeper under-
standing of their potential by feeling more secure
in their uniqueness and personal strengths.
the majority of their programs have a specific
purpose that the school or organization wants to
achieve. “Originally, trips were organized separately.
then, the idea came to partner with schools as the
clients to deliver the outdoor experiential pro-
grams,” says Bosley. “It was a slow start but in the
last six to seven years, the emphasis for leadership
programs was prevalent.”
Many groups, regardless of the age of the
participants, want to enhance the sense of com-
munity acceptance and involvement of their
people, while some groups simply want their
participants to bond and be together in a natural
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setting. there are programs that are focused
on leadership; as well as supporting students or
employees to become better team-players by
enriching their problem solving skills and learning
to set goals in-sync with their values.
the ALIVE Outdoors instructors are comprised
of highly qualified experiential educators. they
have been contracted for: their expertise, their
leadership qualities, their qualifications, their peda-
gogical approach and their enthusiasm for working
with young people in the outdoors. they are all
trained in first aid, cPr and instructors on the water
are certified lifeguards. Many of instructors have
their Wilderness First responder certification. their
collective goal is to help the students they work
with become richer individuals through helping
them to recognize their inner potential.
research findings have steadily accumulated
showing that physical activity promotes learning.
Exposure to nature is restorative to mental health
and that play and novel challenge accelerates brain
development. Both the immediate and long-term
educational rewards garnered from experiential,
or “hands-on,” learning frequently outweigh those
of more traditional lecture-style lessons. “We offer
more unique programs that cater to the needs of
the schools. We partner with camps and lease their
sites to deliver these programs. We actually work
with the competition. It’s a great business model
that’s working,” says Bosley.
ALIVE Outdoors exists in large measure to
help alleviate the burden teachers can have in
planning purposeful and transformative trips for
their students. they work with the schools to
organize and facilitate trips that are based on cur-
riculum in conjunction with challenging students
differently beyond the classroom. Instructors
“The ALIVE camps have made such a tremendous impact on my life that words cannot explain. I have learned the true meaning of respect, leadership, teamwork and passion. I have also learned so much more about myself. If it wasn’t for ALIVE I wouldn’t be the person I am now.”
Ricky Lioriti St. Michael’s College Graduate 2008
sErVICEs » ALIVE Outdoors Inc.8
Hey Jal,
It’s Al Finateri here! I hope all is well with you
and the ALIVE staff. Just emailing you to keep in
touch, as we have not seen each other in quite
some time now. I’m learning a lot at university,
but not just from books and professors, but also
a lot about myself. I think the biggest lesson I
have learned so far is how to fend for myself
and to be a leader in times of despair, conflict
and well help my friends and people close to
me make the right decisions. I honestly do
not think I would be the person I am today if
it was not for you and Mr. Fifield. Both of you
have taught me the most important lesson in
life and that lesson is to always be yourself no
matter what the circumstance is. You honestly
have no idea how much this means to me. I
was watching an old TV show of mine the other
day. It’s called “Boy Meets World”. The show
is about a young boy Corey who grows up
over the period of 8 years getting into trouble
with his friends and brother. But every episode
teaches him a new lesson about life and love.
His neighbour is his principal Mr. Feeny. He
is the one who is always there pushing them
to be the best he can be. I was watching the
final episode of the series today and the final
scene is Corey, his girlfriend, best friend and his
brother in Mr. Feeny s classroom to say their
final goodbyes before leaving Philadelphia to
move to New York City. He was their mentor
and idol, and watching this scene made me
realize something. I always looked up to my
cousin as my idol until today when I finished
watching the episode. My final thought at the
end of that episode was wow; I wish I knew
someone who made that much of an impact
on my life, but then it hit me. I knew from then
that it was Mr. Fifield and yourself. You two
are the ones who have been there not just for
me but also for everyone in the St. Michael’s
Community. I don t think they realize how
lucky they are to work with such two strong,
outgoing, caring, charismatic people. People
who are willing to put others before themselves
for the better of the community. I know people
say this a lot but I learned more at camp than I
did in any other classroom. How, well-being at
camp made me realize who the person I want
to be is and that nothing or no one should
stand in the way of that. I guess what I am really
trying to say is THANK YOU. From the bottom
of my heart, I thank you so much for being
9nOVEMBEr 2013 « the canadian Business Journal
often find that the students who do not necessar-
ily excel in the classroom are often the ones who
shine on outdoor trips.
the programs do not force specific lesson
outcomes but rather allow students to immerse
themselves in their learning and lead themselves.
“We’re evolving all the time,” says Bosley. “We’re
really focused on being the best in the field and
in our risk management practices by meeting the
needs of our changing world.” Bosley is planning
to branch into consulting work on leadership with
schools. she is also doing work on service learning.
Outdoor experiences create life lessons that
stay with students long after graduation. these
lessons are also the memories that students speak
of most fondly after their experience. “At the end
of the day, it’s the simple moments that bring
me the most sense of accomplishment; hearing
the response from young people and making an
impact in their everyday life, “says Bosley.
such are the enjoyable educational
experiences in the outdoors that promote
connections with the environment - connections
that encourage future generations to build more
mutually beneficial relationships with nature. “the
real you is who you are when no one is watching,”
says Bosley. “nature is the perfect classroom that
provides students with the ideal tools, means, and
context with which to thrive.” Experiential learning
is fun. students that are enjoying themselves are
more likely to pay attention, care about, and retain
what they are learning. CBJ
aliveoutdoors.com
there. It is so fulfilling to know that I will
always have someone to talk to when things
get rough, someone to share good news
with, someone to share my feelings with,
finally someone that I know will listen. I`m
in business and I m learning that the people
are most productive when they listen to
each other s ideas and thoughts. I know this
may sound rudimentary, but I have come to
realize how true this is. I know I will always
be able to talk to you and I thank you for
that. I know you put a lot of time and effort
into organizing those camps and well I
cannot put into words how grateful I am for
that. Camp is by far my fondest memory of
St. Mikes, not the Metro Bowl wins, or the
hockey games, or the parties. It has always
been and always will be camp and the
person who helped shape me into who I am
today and that person is you Jal. Thank you.
Sincerely: Al Finateri-- SMC
As sEEn In tHE nOVEMBEr 2013 IssuE OF tHE cAnAdIAn BusInEss JOurnAL
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