I was asked recently to discuss in more detail the ‘why’ behind experiential and adventure therapy. A large organizational client was interested in adventure programming, but needed more explanation as to the significance of utilizing an off-site location.
Placing participants into an unfamiliar learning environment can foster the development of a variety of beneficial dynamics. Such environments are valuable beacuase they present a stark contrast to the learners’ familiar environments, allowing participants to see old behavior patterns in new light with a richer perspective as well as permitting participants to notice behavior patterns that they may have overlookied in familiar settings. Unfamiliar physical environments may also allow paricipants to “try on” new behaviors in an envirnomnet that does not encompass some of the limitations of fears of familiar settings. Successful new behaviors can serve as first steps toward integrating behavioral changes into more familiar settings.
I have noticed that utilizing an unfamiliar learning environment also helps destabilize perceived hierarchies that can keep individuals and colleagues from connecting and maintaining relationship.
Inner Passage utilizes the mountains and deserts in the Catalina mountains outside of Tucson, as well as Joshua Tree National Park, to provide clients with a unique and challenging learning environment. Feel free to connect with us to discuss how off-site adventure programming can help your team, organization, and group come together and build upon its strengths.
