From a Ryan Brady Photo
Outdoor Education Program Ethics

      Program Integrity

·         Program sponsored courses, activities, and events should be reflective of the mission of the program and the college.

·         Program sponsored courses, activities, and events should be reflective of the standard of care within the field of outdoor education.

·         Program providers have a professional obligation to inform, consult with, refer to, and cooperate with their colleagues, other professionals and institutions to the full extent needed to serve the best interests of program participants or the college.

Professional Integrity

·         Program providers are expected to maintain high levels of professional competence in the areas in which they teach.

·         Program providers are expected to work within the scope of their expertise based on education, training, supervision, practice, and experience.

·         Program providers are expected to act in ways that promote professionalism of the Outdoor Education program.

·         Program providers are expected to avoid relationships and/or activities with participants or other staff that impair professional judgment.

Social Responsibility

·         Program providers are expected to conduct experiences with respect for the rights, dignity and well-being of participants, staff, and others they come in contact with in the course of carrying out functions of the program or college.

·         Program providers are expected to choose and manage activities in ways that demonstrate respect for social and cultural diversity.

·         Programs should be made accessible to participants with disabilities except when the activity cannot be modified or changed without undermining the fundamental nature, purpose, or goals of the activity.

·         Program providers are expected to provide socially and physically integrated experiences for all participants, which focus on transcending rather than compensating for any lack of ability.

Concern for Welfare

·         Program providers are expected to use good personal judgment when situations arise where no policy exists or when following policies or protocols appears to jeopardize the well being of participants or staff.

·         Program providers should manage risk appropriate to the goals of the activity and skill of participants and staff.

Informed Consent

·         Program providers have the obligation to inform participants of the nature and scope of activities included within the program.

·         Program providers have the obligation to inform participants of the types of risks they will engage in or be exposed to while actively participating in program sponsored activities.

·         Program providers have the obligation to inform students of consequences of personal participation choices where the level of participation affects student grades within a course.

Challenge of Choice

·         Program providers have the obligation to allow participants to choose their level of participation within an activity unless this choice raises the risk of harm to the individual or others within the program.

      Environmental Responsibility

·         Program providers are expected to choose and manage activities responsibly to minimize the environmental impact on the given environment.

·         Program providers are expected to teach and model accepted practices that minimize impact on the surrounding environment.

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