by Ashley Denton
What makes for an authentic wilderness experience? This has actually been researched…
In 1996, wilderness and outdoor education specialists gathered at the Aldo Leopold Wilderness Research Institute in Bradford Woods, Indiana, to explore the daring question of what composes an authentic wilderness experience. Their findings give us 5 essential goals of wilderness leadership. After the papers and lectures were presented, a smaller group wrote a report to describe several elements that most outdoor education specialists agreed were the essential components of an authentic wilderness experience.
Although this gathering was seeking a secular rationale for outdoor education, their findings coincide with my personal philosophy and theological perspective regarding the transformational character of wilderness experiences. The 5 essential goals for wilderness leadership include: Humility, Primitiveness, Chucking the Clock, Solitude, Caring for Someone Besides Yourself…
