The first session of the California / Project Adventure Master's Degree Cohort began Friday night in Aliso Viejo, California. Kristen Okura, Physical Educator at Don Juan Avila Middle School is the coordinator of the six workshop series.
The first workshop, Portable Adventure, started on Friday at 5:30 p.m. with pizza and paperwork. Then PA trainer Topaz Murphy Terry jumped right in with activities and teaching the core components of adventure facilitation.
On Saturday morning when I checked back in with the group at mid morning, they were discussing the first 8 activities they had already learned!
One of the discussions I had the benefit of sitting in on was "Boundaries". Topaz talked about a new twist on using cones or boundary ropes or verbal prompts to remind students were the boundaries are. She talked about using "in the action" and "out of the action" to describe to prompt students.
"Are you in the action?" "What does it feel like to be in the action?" "What did it feel like when you were out of where the action is happening?".
She talked about using with a group of fifth graders who quickly learned that being "out of where the action happening" became boring, lonely and not so much fun. Their desire to be "in the action" or within the boundaries became predicated on their own experiences and learning...and not on Topaz repeatedly saying, "Susie, remember to stay in the boundaries".
A large discussion began and the group talked about ways to apply this new language and places where it really wouldn't be applicable.
We did a brief check in on the next workshops coming up. Participants talked about how these workshops are so relevant to the actual work they are doing. And how the projects, that they will work on with the Plymouth State advisor, Jamie Hanon, will be truly meaningful to their day-to-day teaching.
At this point, regretfully, it was time for me to pack up and head out. But I was delighted to hear the group talking about how they were going to communicate between workshops, possibly begin a study group, share and discuss projects and more.
If you are interested in learning how you can start or participate in a Master's in Education with a focus on Adventure through Plymouth State University and Project Adventure in your area ... email bwonson@pa.org or call 978-524-4619.
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