2020 Information Coming Soon!
SCHEDULE FOR FEBRUARY 22, 2019:
8:00-9:00 Arrival and Check-In. Snacks, coffee, teas and drinks with Vendors.
9:00-9:30 Official Welcome and "Playnote."
9:30-10:15 Keynote with Pete Eshelman, Director of Outdoor Branding for the Roanoke Regional Partnership.
10:30-11:30 Session #1 Workshops (see options & descriptions below).
11:40-12:20 Vendor Hall/Vendor Bingo.
12:30-1:30 Lunch & Prize Drawings.
1:40-2:10 Session #2 Workshops (see options & descriptions below).
2:15-3:15 Session #3 Workshops. (see options & descriptions below).
3:20-4:20 2019 VAAEC Adventure Race.
4:20-4:30 Announcements and Closing.
SCHEDULE FOR FEBRUARY 22, 2019:
8:00-9:00 Arrival and Check-In. Snacks, coffee, teas and drinks with Vendors.
9:00-9:30 Official Welcome and "Playnote."
9:30-10:15 Keynote with Pete Eshelman, Director of Outdoor Branding for the Roanoke Regional Partnership.
10:30-11:30 Session #1 Workshops (see options & descriptions below).
11:40-12:20 Vendor Hall/Vendor Bingo.
12:30-1:30 Lunch & Prize Drawings.
1:40-2:10 Session #2 Workshops (see options & descriptions below).
2:15-3:15 Session #3 Workshops. (see options & descriptions below).
3:20-4:20 2019 VAAEC Adventure Race.
4:20-4:30 Announcements and Closing.
Keynote with Pete Eshelman: "Trails & Rivers: More Than Dirt and Water"
The outdoor industry is an often-overlooked economic giant with an $887 billion economic impact on the U.S. economy, employing 1 in 20 people. Eshelman will share how the outdoors, and the role outdoor educators and guides play, is helping shape modern-day economic development. Hear how Eshelman went from being a professional ski bum to using trails and rivers to change a community narrative. Eshelman will share the importance of a connected community, the need for strong partners (i.e. parks and recreation departments, guides, outfitters, etc.), how brand-building events shape a community, and how an intentional strategy is used to attract business and talent to the Roanoke region of Virginia.
The outdoor industry is an often-overlooked economic giant with an $887 billion economic impact on the U.S. economy, employing 1 in 20 people. Eshelman will share how the outdoors, and the role outdoor educators and guides play, is helping shape modern-day economic development. Hear how Eshelman went from being a professional ski bum to using trails and rivers to change a community narrative. Eshelman will share the importance of a connected community, the need for strong partners (i.e. parks and recreation departments, guides, outfitters, etc.), how brand-building events shape a community, and how an intentional strategy is used to attract business and talent to the Roanoke region of Virginia.
WORKSHOP DESCRIPTIONS:
10:30-11:30 Session #1 Workshops:
Bedrock: Using Wilderness Setting to Enhance Therapeutic Work with Teens ~ Matthew Browning, Discovery School of Virginia
Learn how the Discovery School of Virginia (DSVA) uses outdoor living as the foundation of their approach to personal growth, healing relationships, and healing trauma. Emphasis will be placed on how outdoor living skills build esteem and self-efficacy through tangible accomplishments, contributes to group development and cohesion, and creates the perfect environment for physical and emotional safely.
Creating the Outdoor Adventure Club ~ Susan Herndon-Powell, Roanoke Parks and Recreation
Wanting to reach an underserved population, the City of Roanoke Parks and Recreation, partnering with the Roanoke Outside Foundation and Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Southwest Virginia, applied for (and received!) two grants to fund the Outdoor Adventure Club (OAC) for middle-school aged youth. Now in its sixth month, the OAC is thriving and we'd like to share our successes and challenges for those wanting to start similar programs. In this presentation, we will share our experiences with grant writing, tips for partnering with local organizations, and the programming and logistics involved with making this program a reality.
Hairy Toe Escape Box, Portable Escape Room Experience by breakoutedu.com ~ Michael Stump, Radford University
Breakout Escape Box brings a new element of team building to the table. This team building experience splits you up and brings you together, allows you to step up into a leadership role, and assist other leaders all in one overall task. Starting with a creepy campsite story and envelopes with scattered information, you'll have to not only solve the first puzzle, but put the first puzzle together. Once you have accomplished this task, you'll have four more puzzles to map out and solve to unlock the box and unveil what is inside. Do you have what it takes to unravel various clues through solving riddle-like puzzles? Do you have what it takes to find out what really happened to the old lady, the giant, and his missing hairy toe? Join Maggie and I in the Breakout Escape Box and find out!
Leading and Organizing Canoe Camping River Trips ~ John Mays, Twin River Outfitters
Learn how we lead paddle camping trips, help decide where to go, and how we manage Paddlesports risk management for the public. We will also discuss current (and future) river access along the the James River and Maury River for paddling trips. Twin brothers, Dan and John Mays, are founders and owner-operators of Twin River Outfitters in Buchanan, VA, outfitting paddling on the Jackson, James, and Maury Rivers.
Seven Things Leaders Never Want to Hear Themselves Say in the Outdoors ~ Lester Zook, WILD GUYde Adventures
In making the multitude of judgments and program decisions that we do in the field, we can fall into some traps. Very intelligent and competent outdoor leaders sometimes find themselves making decisions because they are expedient, or pleasing to our people, or earn us respect. This workshop will use real situations and stories to unpack several leader traps that we fall into that can compromise our judgement and situational awareness. The objective is to help us mature into leaders who provide happier and safer experiences in the backcountry for our friends and clients.
1:40-2:10 Session #2 Workshops:
Defrost and Debrief: Beginning and ending an experience together ~ Rebekah Vanzo, Student at James Madison University
In this workshop, attendees will learn and participate in activities that can be used to begin a group bonding experience by breaking the ice and helping participants get to know each other better, or to wrap up a day by guiding a concluding discussion. There will also be some debriefing ideas presented to help participants get the most out of a group learning experience.
How to Get Your Outdoor Program Noticed ~ Lizz Stoke, Student at Virginia Commonwealth University
This program will go over how students can effectively market their Outdoor Adventure Program to increase awareness and participation in programs. I will be presenting a PowerPoint that will go over how to effectively create a tabling program on campus. We will talk about what to say when tabling and what type of resources are most useful to have as giveaways. I will also go over resources that I have used to effectively market at my university. These resources should be available to students at their respective universities. We will also go over how to create an effective elevator speech. We will do an activity where we learn the basics of an elevator speech and practice them with each other.
Mental Health and Summer Camps: That's Not Just Homesickness ~ Katherine Serrao, Student at James Madison University
I will discuss the intersection between camps and mental health, and lay out ways for camp professionals and staff to be prepared to deal with a growing number of children who face mental illness. In addition, I will discuss the importance of maintaining the mental health of staff and counselors. My presentation will identify the unique role held by camp staff to reach out to youth in an outdoor environment, and the responsibility they have to provide the necessary support.
Rigging a Slackline ~ Breann Bassler, Virginia Commonwealth University Alumnus
Participants will learn how to rig the two most common types of slacklines (ratchet anchored lines and primitive anchored lines). Participants will have the opportunity to discuss anchoring logistics for nontraditional setups.
Running Collegiate Caving Trips ~ Sean McDermott, Student at Virginia Commonwealth University
Covering the logistics, safety, and education components of running a caving trip for a collegiate outdoor education program.
TiTs Deep, Technology, and the Outdoor Millennial Experience ~ Jess Wiegandt, Student at Brevard College
Jess Wiegandt is a double major in Wilderness Leadership and Experiential Education (WLEE) and Journalism. She is a paddlesports instructor, world traveler, and has worked for multiple organizations in developing online content. This presentation will cover basics in outdoor adventure photography, videography, and social media development to use for personal or professional branding and design.
2:15-3:15 Session #3 Workshops:
Creating Your Dream Job ~ Beth Wiegandt, Your Outdoor Classroom/River Otters Paddlesports
Beth Wiegandt found a way to combine her love of teaching and the outdoors into a paying career. Channel your interests and energy into creating a job that works for you! Part discussion and part interactive, this session will cover what you need to succeed and how creativity plays a gigantic role in developing programming that works.
Developing a RAD (Route and Description) Plan ~ Parker Wenos, Restorative Recreation, LLC.
RAD plans, or Route and Description plans, are a critical component of expedition preparedness for any outdoor adventure. Whether you are embarking on a multi-day backpacking trip, or setting course to the next summit on your backcountry adventure, RAD plans are an essential tool for communicating the nuances of your big travel day with all parties involved. In this workshop, participants will learn the components of a RAD plan, how to pinpoint UTM’s (Universal Transverse Mercator’s) on a topographic map, and will practice writing a detailed description of travel plans to include major landmarks, handrails, and cardinal directions. At the conclusion of this workshop, participants will be better equipped to plot routes on a map and record detailed travel plans.
Getting Experience, Not Available for Purchase ~ Justin Padgett, Landmark Learning
Getting Experience - Not Available for Purchase, is presentation aimed at folks who plan to enter the outdoor recreation field. We will discuss multiple avenues for gaining career experience as you build resume and discover your personal preferences and passions.
Public Lands Access in a Turbulent Time ~ Christina Spohn, Virginia Commonwealth University
Public land access and protection has been at hot topic across the United States for the past year. This workshop will provide an overview of the current public lands policies that affect outdoor education program usage of public land, and work through some resources for gaining access to permits in parks and forests in Virginia and surrounding areas.
Virginia Outdoor Industry Panel Discussion: Outdoor Recreation Economy, Trends, and Ways to Stay Involved ~ Samuel Albert, Virginia Commonwealth University
This presentation will consist of 3-5 professionals from different sectors within the outdoor Industry. Potential professionals may include climbing guide shop owners, raft guide shop owners, retail experts, education experts, park experts, and potentially others. Questions will focus on the current state of the outdoor recreation economy, trends within the industry, and ways to get involved and support one another.
Well, THERE’S Your Problem: Pinned boats and how to get them off ~ Joey Parent, Virginia Commonwealth University
Whether running class V whitewater of canoe camping on moving water, things don't always go as planned in the river environment. Boats flip, people swim, and sometimes those boats get stuck, or "pinned" on things. This presentation will focus on what causes boats to get pinned on the river, and some simple things that you can do to get them off.
10:30-11:30 Session #1 Workshops:
Bedrock: Using Wilderness Setting to Enhance Therapeutic Work with Teens ~ Matthew Browning, Discovery School of Virginia
Learn how the Discovery School of Virginia (DSVA) uses outdoor living as the foundation of their approach to personal growth, healing relationships, and healing trauma. Emphasis will be placed on how outdoor living skills build esteem and self-efficacy through tangible accomplishments, contributes to group development and cohesion, and creates the perfect environment for physical and emotional safely.
Creating the Outdoor Adventure Club ~ Susan Herndon-Powell, Roanoke Parks and Recreation
Wanting to reach an underserved population, the City of Roanoke Parks and Recreation, partnering with the Roanoke Outside Foundation and Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Southwest Virginia, applied for (and received!) two grants to fund the Outdoor Adventure Club (OAC) for middle-school aged youth. Now in its sixth month, the OAC is thriving and we'd like to share our successes and challenges for those wanting to start similar programs. In this presentation, we will share our experiences with grant writing, tips for partnering with local organizations, and the programming and logistics involved with making this program a reality.
Hairy Toe Escape Box, Portable Escape Room Experience by breakoutedu.com ~ Michael Stump, Radford University
Breakout Escape Box brings a new element of team building to the table. This team building experience splits you up and brings you together, allows you to step up into a leadership role, and assist other leaders all in one overall task. Starting with a creepy campsite story and envelopes with scattered information, you'll have to not only solve the first puzzle, but put the first puzzle together. Once you have accomplished this task, you'll have four more puzzles to map out and solve to unlock the box and unveil what is inside. Do you have what it takes to unravel various clues through solving riddle-like puzzles? Do you have what it takes to find out what really happened to the old lady, the giant, and his missing hairy toe? Join Maggie and I in the Breakout Escape Box and find out!
Leading and Organizing Canoe Camping River Trips ~ John Mays, Twin River Outfitters
Learn how we lead paddle camping trips, help decide where to go, and how we manage Paddlesports risk management for the public. We will also discuss current (and future) river access along the the James River and Maury River for paddling trips. Twin brothers, Dan and John Mays, are founders and owner-operators of Twin River Outfitters in Buchanan, VA, outfitting paddling on the Jackson, James, and Maury Rivers.
Seven Things Leaders Never Want to Hear Themselves Say in the Outdoors ~ Lester Zook, WILD GUYde Adventures
In making the multitude of judgments and program decisions that we do in the field, we can fall into some traps. Very intelligent and competent outdoor leaders sometimes find themselves making decisions because they are expedient, or pleasing to our people, or earn us respect. This workshop will use real situations and stories to unpack several leader traps that we fall into that can compromise our judgement and situational awareness. The objective is to help us mature into leaders who provide happier and safer experiences in the backcountry for our friends and clients.
1:40-2:10 Session #2 Workshops:
Defrost and Debrief: Beginning and ending an experience together ~ Rebekah Vanzo, Student at James Madison University
In this workshop, attendees will learn and participate in activities that can be used to begin a group bonding experience by breaking the ice and helping participants get to know each other better, or to wrap up a day by guiding a concluding discussion. There will also be some debriefing ideas presented to help participants get the most out of a group learning experience.
How to Get Your Outdoor Program Noticed ~ Lizz Stoke, Student at Virginia Commonwealth University
This program will go over how students can effectively market their Outdoor Adventure Program to increase awareness and participation in programs. I will be presenting a PowerPoint that will go over how to effectively create a tabling program on campus. We will talk about what to say when tabling and what type of resources are most useful to have as giveaways. I will also go over resources that I have used to effectively market at my university. These resources should be available to students at their respective universities. We will also go over how to create an effective elevator speech. We will do an activity where we learn the basics of an elevator speech and practice them with each other.
Mental Health and Summer Camps: That's Not Just Homesickness ~ Katherine Serrao, Student at James Madison University
I will discuss the intersection between camps and mental health, and lay out ways for camp professionals and staff to be prepared to deal with a growing number of children who face mental illness. In addition, I will discuss the importance of maintaining the mental health of staff and counselors. My presentation will identify the unique role held by camp staff to reach out to youth in an outdoor environment, and the responsibility they have to provide the necessary support.
Rigging a Slackline ~ Breann Bassler, Virginia Commonwealth University Alumnus
Participants will learn how to rig the two most common types of slacklines (ratchet anchored lines and primitive anchored lines). Participants will have the opportunity to discuss anchoring logistics for nontraditional setups.
Running Collegiate Caving Trips ~ Sean McDermott, Student at Virginia Commonwealth University
Covering the logistics, safety, and education components of running a caving trip for a collegiate outdoor education program.
TiTs Deep, Technology, and the Outdoor Millennial Experience ~ Jess Wiegandt, Student at Brevard College
Jess Wiegandt is a double major in Wilderness Leadership and Experiential Education (WLEE) and Journalism. She is a paddlesports instructor, world traveler, and has worked for multiple organizations in developing online content. This presentation will cover basics in outdoor adventure photography, videography, and social media development to use for personal or professional branding and design.
2:15-3:15 Session #3 Workshops:
Creating Your Dream Job ~ Beth Wiegandt, Your Outdoor Classroom/River Otters Paddlesports
Beth Wiegandt found a way to combine her love of teaching and the outdoors into a paying career. Channel your interests and energy into creating a job that works for you! Part discussion and part interactive, this session will cover what you need to succeed and how creativity plays a gigantic role in developing programming that works.
Developing a RAD (Route and Description) Plan ~ Parker Wenos, Restorative Recreation, LLC.
RAD plans, or Route and Description plans, are a critical component of expedition preparedness for any outdoor adventure. Whether you are embarking on a multi-day backpacking trip, or setting course to the next summit on your backcountry adventure, RAD plans are an essential tool for communicating the nuances of your big travel day with all parties involved. In this workshop, participants will learn the components of a RAD plan, how to pinpoint UTM’s (Universal Transverse Mercator’s) on a topographic map, and will practice writing a detailed description of travel plans to include major landmarks, handrails, and cardinal directions. At the conclusion of this workshop, participants will be better equipped to plot routes on a map and record detailed travel plans.
Getting Experience, Not Available for Purchase ~ Justin Padgett, Landmark Learning
Getting Experience - Not Available for Purchase, is presentation aimed at folks who plan to enter the outdoor recreation field. We will discuss multiple avenues for gaining career experience as you build resume and discover your personal preferences and passions.
Public Lands Access in a Turbulent Time ~ Christina Spohn, Virginia Commonwealth University
Public land access and protection has been at hot topic across the United States for the past year. This workshop will provide an overview of the current public lands policies that affect outdoor education program usage of public land, and work through some resources for gaining access to permits in parks and forests in Virginia and surrounding areas.
Virginia Outdoor Industry Panel Discussion: Outdoor Recreation Economy, Trends, and Ways to Stay Involved ~ Samuel Albert, Virginia Commonwealth University
This presentation will consist of 3-5 professionals from different sectors within the outdoor Industry. Potential professionals may include climbing guide shop owners, raft guide shop owners, retail experts, education experts, park experts, and potentially others. Questions will focus on the current state of the outdoor recreation economy, trends within the industry, and ways to get involved and support one another.
Well, THERE’S Your Problem: Pinned boats and how to get them off ~ Joey Parent, Virginia Commonwealth University
Whether running class V whitewater of canoe camping on moving water, things don't always go as planned in the river environment. Boats flip, people swim, and sometimes those boats get stuck, or "pinned" on things. This presentation will focus on what causes boats to get pinned on the river, and some simple things that you can do to get them off.
Presentations (Deadline was February 2). Maybe next year?
Workshop presentations are the heart of the VAAEC. Student's have the opportunity to share their knowledge and experiences with others. Professionals get the opportunity to bestow their wisdom and expertise on the up and coming students who will carry their legacy in the industry. . Please consider presenting a workshop that will help this community grow and develop.