Adaptive Curriculum in the Outdoor Classroom

I conducted a qualitative creative project that observed innovative and adaptable curriculum at Tonto Creek Camp in Payson, Arizona. The creative project has been a collective, collaborative, and continuous process and celebration between myself, Arizona State University and Tonto Creek Camp. My introduction started in a PRM 304 class with Dr. Wendy Hultsman. One of our first projects took place at Tonto Creek Camp. This inclusive project involved restoration of some of the trailheads and nature preservation around the camp's grounds. As a class, we developed various project proposals including the layout, design and budgets for each project. Further, I was introduced to CEO and Founder Tom Fraker and Program Manager Chris Piccirillo to begin the creative project process. There were many goals that were completed with this project, including: assessing the camp's grounds to determine what was needed in order to meet their grants' needs, planning and designing the outline of how the new structures were going to come to life, and implementing the proposed project ideas, including writing a curriculum. Once designs were in place, I proceeded to intern with the camp as an Educational Field Instructor in order to learn and teach curriculum content for the various schools and organizations that came up each week. There are many benefits to outdoor curriculum, especially to populations who do not learn successful in a traditional indoor setting. By integrating my teaching and recreation therapy background I was able to tailor certain existing and new curricula to meet the adaptive needs of all who come to participate at Tonto Creek Camp. Keywords: adaptable curriculum, curriculum writing, recreation therapy, outdoor classroom