Project Adventure

{{short description|International nonprofit education organization}} {{Infobox organization | name = '''Project Adventure''' | image = | image_border = | image_size = 200px | caption = | abbreviation = PA | formation = 1971 | extinction = | type = Youth organization | status = Non-profit organization | headquarters = Beverly, Massachusetts | location = {{flag|United States|civil}} | region_served = | language = | leader_title = Executive Director & CEO | leader_name = Caitlin McCormick Small | main_organ = | num_staff = | num_volunteers = | budget = | website = {{URL|www.pa.org}} | remarks = }} '''Project Adventure''' is an international nonprofit education organization based in Beverly, Massachusetts. The mission of Project Adventure is to provide leadership in the expansion of adventure-based experiential programming.<ref>[http://www.pa.org/about/mission.php Mission.] Project Adventure. Retrieved 8/18/07.</ref><ref>Rohnke, K. (1986). Project Adventure: A widely used generic product. Journal of Physical Education, Recreation & Dance, 57(5), 68-69.</ref>

== Core activities ==

Project Adventure is a student engagement program used in schools across the United States of America and around the world.<ref>Gunnoe, C. (April 24, 2025) [https://www.wvnstv.com/news/west-virginia-news/fayette-county/project-adventure-promotes-prevention-through-recreation/ "Project Adventure promotes prevention through recreation,"] WVNS TV. Retrieved May 30, 2025.</ref> As "one of the first large-scale outdoor programs to organize as a non-profit and register youth for multi-day, educational outing programs,",<ref>Seaman, J. O. (2006). Adventure education as cultural-historical activity: a study of experience, learning and social processes in Project Adventure workshops. Universal-Publishers. p. 133.</ref> the organization is widely acknowledging as influencing several trends and methodologies throughout education.<ref>Glover, J. T. (2014). "Adventure movement project: building a sustainable adventure movement." Prescott College Master's thesis.</ref>

==History==

The organization known as Project Adventure began as an adventure-based physical education program at the Hamilton-Wenham Regional High School in Massachusetts in 1971.<ref>Gass, M. A., Gillis, H. "., Russell, K. C. (2020). Adventure Therapy: Theory, Research, and Practice. United Kingdom: Taylor & Francis. p.8</ref> Across approximately half a heavily wooded acre behind the school, a range of stations were installed including a low tightrope, a "monkey bridge" approximately twenty feet above ground, and a trapeze hanging about six feet away from a small platform at the top of a tall pegged pole. At this latter station, students on belay climbed the pole, stood upright on the small platform, and leaped across to try to grasp the trapeze. Students developed problem solving and collaboration skills, as well as overcoming fears and gaining confidence in their physical abilities. Another related tradition at the school was the infamous "mud walk" where students in the biology program were lashed together for a walk through the Miles River swamp which abutted the Project Adventure grounds. The shortest of students often needed to be helped by others from disappearing below the surface; this support did not always keep them from being submerged temporarily, and all clothes had to be discarded after the activity. However, students were always permitted to opt out of the Project Adventure exercises and the mud walk.<ref>Priest, S., Gass, M. (2018). p. 243.</ref>

By applying Outward Bound's adventure learning principles in schools, the organization received federal funding to expand its programs across the United States.<ref>Neill, J. (2005) [http://wilderdom.com/projectadventure/ProjectAdventureBrief.htm Project Adventure - In Brief]. Wilderdom.com. Retrieved 8/18/07.</ref> This high school is located in Hamilton Massachusetts and in 2011 placed as the 9th best school in Massachusetts. As one author wrote describing the circumstances, "In some ways, [Bob] Pieh's efforts brought the work of Kurt Hahn full circle..."<ref>Speelman, E. A., Wagstaff, M., Jordan, S. H., Haras, K. (2021). Aerial Adventure Environments: The Theory and Practice of the Challenge Course, Zip Line, and Canopy Tour Industry. United States: Human Kinetics. p. 20.</ref>

== Impact ==

Researchers have studied Project Adventure and its programming extensively. They have studied many areas, including its effects on adolescent boys,<ref>Quimby, T. R. (1982). ''The effect of Project Adventure on selected affective and psychomotor outcomes.'' Boston University School of Education.</ref> cultural development,<ref>Seaman, J. O. (2006). Adventure education as cultural-historical activity: a study of experience, learning and social processes in Project Adventure workshops. Universal-Publishers.</ref> adolescent self-conception,<ref>Jerstad, S. I. (1981). [https://openprairie.sdstate.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=5082&context=etd "The impact of project adventure on the self concept of adolescents," South Dakota State University Electronic Theses and Dissertations. 4034.</ref> and several other topics.

Referred to as developing the "adventure-integrated model," the organization is attributed with developing "three foundational concepts" that have affected the field of experiential education and beyond: "Challenge by choice," the "full value contract," and goal setting.<ref>Frank, L. S. (2004). ''Journey Toward the Caring Classroom: Using Adventure to Create Community in the Classroom & Beyond.'' United States: Wood 'N' Barnes. p.7.</ref> The organization is also attributed with developing the Behavior Management through Adventure model, or BMtA, which is also referred to as intentional adventure therapy.<ref>Priest, S., Gass, M. (2018). Effective Leadership in Adventure Programming. United Kingdom: Human Kinetics. p. 20.</ref> Largely credited with bringing adventure education into schools, Project Adventure is credited with influencing public education in many ways.<ref>Webster, S. E. (1978). Project adventure a trip into the unknown. Journal of Physical Education and Recreation, 49(4), 39-41.</ref>

==References== {{reflist}}

==External links== *[http://www.pa.org Project Adventure website]

Category:Non-profit organizations based in Massachusetts Category:Youth organizations based in Massachusetts Category:Outdoor education organizations based in the United States Category:Beverly, Massachusetts Category:1971 establishments in Massachusetts