Virginia Adventure Education Conference
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The Virginia Adventure Education Conference brings together Virginia's outdoor educators, guides, collegiate programs, and leaders to network and discuss industry trends, while also creating opportunity for students from Virginia's College adventure programs to present in a professional setting.
SAVE THE DATE!! February 26, 2021 in Richmond, Va |
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2020 Keynote Speaker: Rená Koesler
Rená Koesler has an undying love and appreciation for the great outdoors. Her passion served her well as a former professor of Outdoor Education at Longwood University for three decades. Inspiring young and old to get outside, escape their comfort zones, and coach people to reach their “summit” is where Rená continues to make a difference. Although she now lives in Colorado, her community of Outdoor Adventure Educators in Virginia will always have a special place in her life.
Rená grew up in the flatlands of Illinois surrounded by woods, creeks and a few hills. Although the woods presented great memories of her younger years, it was the introduction of mountains and wild rivers that launched her into the field of Outdoor Adventure Education. The first views of the Grand Tetons and then climbing her first peak of over 11,000 ft. sent her on a path of seeking her own summits.
Rená was among the first students who brought the Wilderness Education Association (WEA) to life in 1977. She was one of the fortunate ones to have not only been a student of Paul Petzoldt but she also had the priviledge of teaching with him on two WEA courses.
Once arriving at Longwood, Rená immediately got involved with the VCOAE organization where she met Adventure Educators from across the state of Virginia. During her tenure at Longwood, she was a rafting guide on the Salmon and Snake Rivers in Idaho, became a NOLS Instructor, was former president of AORE, member of AEE, started the Outdoor Education program at Longwood, taught at Teton Science Schools, and lead students on a number of international trips to Africa, Nepal and Patagonia. Rená lived and continues to live a life of adventure. She derives great pleasure from turning others on to the wild outdoors as well as help them find their life’s summits.
Rená will address the topic of Community and provide insights about the value it has in your personal and professional growth.
Rená grew up in the flatlands of Illinois surrounded by woods, creeks and a few hills. Although the woods presented great memories of her younger years, it was the introduction of mountains and wild rivers that launched her into the field of Outdoor Adventure Education. The first views of the Grand Tetons and then climbing her first peak of over 11,000 ft. sent her on a path of seeking her own summits.
Rená was among the first students who brought the Wilderness Education Association (WEA) to life in 1977. She was one of the fortunate ones to have not only been a student of Paul Petzoldt but she also had the priviledge of teaching with him on two WEA courses.
Once arriving at Longwood, Rená immediately got involved with the VCOAE organization where she met Adventure Educators from across the state of Virginia. During her tenure at Longwood, she was a rafting guide on the Salmon and Snake Rivers in Idaho, became a NOLS Instructor, was former president of AORE, member of AEE, started the Outdoor Education program at Longwood, taught at Teton Science Schools, and lead students on a number of international trips to Africa, Nepal and Patagonia. Rená lived and continues to live a life of adventure. She derives great pleasure from turning others on to the wild outdoors as well as help them find their life’s summits.
Rená will address the topic of Community and provide insights about the value it has in your personal and professional growth.
2020 Playnote: Steve Bobbitt
Steve joined James Madison University Recreation team in the fall of 2000 as the Coordinator of Adventure Programs and previously worked at East Carolina University, Blacksburg and Roanoke County Parks and Recreation. He has been serving as the Associate Director of Programs since the fall of 2007 where he works with the five main programming units which include 10 professional staff, 6 graduate assistants, and close to 400 student employees that make UREC the hub of the active JMU lifestyle. These units are: Fitness and Wellness, Adventure and TEAM, Aquatics and Safety, Intramural Sports and Inclusive Recreation, and Sport Clubs, Informal Recreation and Youth Programs. Steve’s other duties in the department include lead role in student development implementation, assessment and evaluation coordination, evening and weekend facility supervision team coordination, and serves on the senior leadership team. He was also an active member of the team that helped design and build both University Park and the UREC expansion and renovation project. Steve also teaches undergraduate and graduate classes in the Hart School for Hospitality, Sport and Recreation Management including in the Campus Recreation Track of the Master’s program.
Steve is an active member of NIRSA, Leaders in Collegiate Recreation organization, serving on faculty for the National Collegiate School of Recreation, chair of the Virginia state workshop, serving on national conference committees and other work teams. He has received both the NIRSA National Service Award and Region II Award of Merit. Steve is also a regular presenter at a variety international, national, regional and state conferences. Steve also acts as consultant for other universities and colleges in student learning program development, learning outcome and assessment development and program specific development. In his past life of outdoor recreation, Steve was an active member of ICORE/AORE, AEE, and the original Virginia outdoor organization, VCOAE, presenting sessions, serving on committees and hosting conferences.
Steve hails from the small southwest Virginia town of Galax and holds a Bachelor of Arts from Virginia Tech in Education and Masters from Radford University in Recreation Studies. Steve’s wife Deena is a 2nd grade teacher. They have two boys, Dylan a graduate of Radford University, currently serving in the Infantry in US Army and Will, a current JMU Duke studying anthropology. Steve and Deena love to travel and camp around the country with their two pugs, Cody and Lily in the summers. Hiking, mountain biking, skiing and canoeing top the list of his favorite sports.
Steve is an active member of NIRSA, Leaders in Collegiate Recreation organization, serving on faculty for the National Collegiate School of Recreation, chair of the Virginia state workshop, serving on national conference committees and other work teams. He has received both the NIRSA National Service Award and Region II Award of Merit. Steve is also a regular presenter at a variety international, national, regional and state conferences. Steve also acts as consultant for other universities and colleges in student learning program development, learning outcome and assessment development and program specific development. In his past life of outdoor recreation, Steve was an active member of ICORE/AORE, AEE, and the original Virginia outdoor organization, VCOAE, presenting sessions, serving on committees and hosting conferences.
Steve hails from the small southwest Virginia town of Galax and holds a Bachelor of Arts from Virginia Tech in Education and Masters from Radford University in Recreation Studies. Steve’s wife Deena is a 2nd grade teacher. They have two boys, Dylan a graduate of Radford University, currently serving in the Infantry in US Army and Will, a current JMU Duke studying anthropology. Steve and Deena love to travel and camp around the country with their two pugs, Cody and Lily in the summers. Hiking, mountain biking, skiing and canoeing top the list of his favorite sports.
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PAST EVENT SPEAKERS:
Sasha Griffith Adventure Coordinator, JMU
Lester Zook Founder, Wild Guyde Adventures Harriet Flynn Assoc. Director, The OLC Pete Eshelman Director of Outdoor Branding for the Roanoke Regional Partnership |
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Growing VA's Adventure Ed. Programs
Both industry professionals and students will present topics covering industry best practices, adaptive involvement strategies, risk management techniques, emerging industry gear and technology, and the future of adventure education and tourism in Virginia.
Past Participating College/University Programs:
Brevard College (NC), Ferrum College, George Mason University, Hollins University, James Madison University, Liberty University, Lord Fairfax Community College, Old Dominion University, Radford University, Shenandoah University, University of Lynchburg, University of Virginia, Virginia Commonwealth University, Virginia Tech, Virginia Western Community College. If YOUR program is not yet included, ask "WHY NOT?" and get registered today!
Brevard College (NC), Ferrum College, George Mason University, Hollins University, James Madison University, Liberty University, Lord Fairfax Community College, Old Dominion University, Radford University, Shenandoah University, University of Lynchburg, University of Virginia, Virginia Commonwealth University, Virginia Tech, Virginia Western Community College. If YOUR program is not yet included, ask "WHY NOT?" and get registered today!
Register for the Conference
Registration for the 2020 conference will begin December 1st
Registration Pricing: $25 Students / $35 Professionals / $75 Vendors
Please contact us if interested in sponsoring this event.
Registration Pricing: $25 Students / $35 Professionals / $75 Vendors
Please contact us if interested in sponsoring this event.
