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ALIVE OutdOOrs InC. “Achieving Exceptional Outcomes Through Experiential Learning”

sErVIcEs

ALIVE OutdOOrs InC. “Achieving Exceptional Outcomes Through Experiential Learning”

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sErVICEs » ALIVE Outdoors Inc.4

Adventure. Leadership. Individuality. Values. Empowerment. These characteristics are the defining backbone and essence of experiential learning for ALIVE Outdoors Incorporated. “Outdoor education” and “sustainable education” have become increasingly popular terms in mainstream schooling. This method of learning capitalizes on the power of outdoor experiential education to enhance education programs.

As A former physical-education teacher,

Jalynn Bosley knew that learning in the outdoor

classroom created long lasting lessons. With

this in mind, she left her teaching job in search

of finding an environment where she could help

students connect on a level that was not pos-

sible in the classroom. Jalynn went back to her

roots remembering the impact camping and

canoe trips had on her life. “It’s the simplicity

of connecting with nature and yourself. I knew

I wanted to pass on these experiences to help

youth experience what it feels like to be “alive,”

says Bosley. she went on to create Personal

Leadership programs with specific goals that

allow each participant to flourish and to recog-

nize their inner strengths and potential.

studies have found that contact with the envi-

ronment produces more eco-friendly behaviour

and people must be exposed to nature as children

5nOVEMBEr 2013 « the canadian Business Journal

Founded by the Basilian Fathers, St. Michael’s College School offers young men, grades 7-12, an enriched, Catholic, liberal arts programme complemented by diverse co-curricular activities. Our programme is designed to prepare

students for university education and to be leaders in their community.

For more information... Admissions Office: 416.653.3180 x 438 | info@smcsmail.com | stmichaelscollegeschool.com

�e Leader in Catholic Boys’

Education

if they are to care about it as adults. With fewer

adults spending time in the great outdoors, chil-

dren are less likely to experience it. “We’re shifting

away from natural environments” says Bosley.

students spend the majority of a six-

hour day, five days per week sitting in classes.

Outdoor Education strives to provide students

the opportunity to learn by doing, creating not

only an environment that promotes a healthy

lifestyle, but also conducive to all learning

styles. “Our programs get kids away from the

city and away from technology giving them the

opportunity to truly connect with people.” the

incorporation of experiential learning, particularly

in the outdoors, could vastly reduce the amount

of time students spend deskbound as well as

encourage them to develop a deeper under-

standing of their potential by feeling more secure

in their uniqueness and personal strengths.

the majority of their programs have a specific

purpose that the school or organization wants to

achieve. “Originally, trips were organized separately.

then, the idea came to partner with schools as the

clients to deliver the outdoor experiential pro-

grams,” says Bosley. “It was a slow start but in the

last six to seven years, the emphasis for leadership

programs was prevalent.”

Many groups, regardless of the age of the

participants, want to enhance the sense of com-

munity acceptance and involvement of their

people, while some groups simply want their

participants to bond and be together in a natural

sErVICEs » ALIVE Outdoors Inc.6

7nOVEMBEr 2013 « the canadian Business Journal

setting. there are programs that are focused

on leadership; as well as supporting students or

employees to become better team-players by

enriching their problem solving skills and learning

to set goals in-sync with their values.

the ALIVE Outdoors instructors are comprised

of highly qualified experiential educators. they

have been contracted for: their expertise, their

leadership qualities, their qualifications, their peda-

gogical approach and their enthusiasm for working

with young people in the outdoors. they are all

trained in first aid, cPr and instructors on the water

are certified lifeguards. Many of instructors have

their Wilderness First responder certification. their

collective goal is to help the students they work

with become richer individuals through helping

them to recognize their inner potential.

research findings have steadily accumulated

showing that physical activity promotes learning.

Exposure to nature is restorative to mental health

and that play and novel challenge accelerates brain

development. Both the immediate and long-term

educational rewards garnered from experiential,

or “hands-on,” learning frequently outweigh those

of more traditional lecture-style lessons. “We offer

more unique programs that cater to the needs of

the schools. We partner with camps and lease their

sites to deliver these programs. We actually work

with the competition. It’s a great business model

that’s working,” says Bosley.

ALIVE Outdoors exists in large measure to

help alleviate the burden teachers can have in

planning purposeful and transformative trips for

their students. they work with the schools to

organize and facilitate trips that are based on cur-

riculum in conjunction with challenging students

differently beyond the classroom. Instructors

“The ALIVE camps have made such a tremendous impact on my life that words cannot explain. I have learned the true meaning of respect, leadership, teamwork and passion. I have also learned so much more about myself. If it wasn’t for ALIVE I wouldn’t be the person I am now.”

Ricky Lioriti St. Michael’s College Graduate 2008

sErVICEs » ALIVE Outdoors Inc.8

Hey Jal,

It’s Al Finateri here! I hope all is well with you

and the ALIVE staff. Just emailing you to keep in

touch, as we have not seen each other in quite

some time now. I’m learning a lot at university,

but not just from books and professors, but also

a lot about myself. I think the biggest lesson I

have learned so far is how to fend for myself

and to be a leader in times of despair, conflict

and well help my friends and people close to

me make the right decisions. I honestly do

not think I would be the person I am today if

it was not for you and Mr. Fifield. Both of you

have taught me the most important lesson in

life and that lesson is to always be yourself no

matter what the circumstance is. You honestly

have no idea how much this means to me. I

was watching an old TV show of mine the other

day. It’s called “Boy Meets World”. The show

is about a young boy Corey who grows up

over the period of 8 years getting into trouble

with his friends and brother. But every episode

teaches him a new lesson about life and love.

His neighbour is his principal Mr. Feeny. He

is the one who is always there pushing them

to be the best he can be. I was watching the

final episode of the series today and the final

scene is Corey, his girlfriend, best friend and his

brother in Mr. Feeny s classroom to say their

final goodbyes before leaving Philadelphia to

move to New York City. He was their mentor

and idol, and watching this scene made me

realize something. I always looked up to my

cousin as my idol until today when I finished

watching the episode. My final thought at the

end of that episode was wow; I wish I knew

someone who made that much of an impact

on my life, but then it hit me. I knew from then

that it was Mr. Fifield and yourself. You two

are the ones who have been there not just for

me but also for everyone in the St. Michael’s

Community. I don t think they realize how

lucky they are to work with such two strong,

outgoing, caring, charismatic people. People

who are willing to put others before themselves

for the better of the community. I know people

say this a lot but I learned more at camp than I

did in any other classroom. How, well-being at

camp made me realize who the person I want

to be is and that nothing or no one should

stand in the way of that. I guess what I am really

trying to say is THANK YOU. From the bottom

of my heart, I thank you so much for being

9nOVEMBEr 2013 « the canadian Business Journal

often find that the students who do not necessar-

ily excel in the classroom are often the ones who

shine on outdoor trips.

the programs do not force specific lesson

outcomes but rather allow students to immerse

themselves in their learning and lead themselves.

“We’re evolving all the time,” says Bosley. “We’re

really focused on being the best in the field and

in our risk management practices by meeting the

needs of our changing world.” Bosley is planning

to branch into consulting work on leadership with

schools. she is also doing work on service learning.

Outdoor experiences create life lessons that

stay with students long after graduation. these

lessons are also the memories that students speak

of most fondly after their experience. “At the end

of the day, it’s the simple moments that bring

me the most sense of accomplishment; hearing

the response from young people and making an

impact in their everyday life, “says Bosley.

such are the enjoyable educational

experiences in the outdoors that promote

connections with the environment - connections

that encourage future generations to build more

mutually beneficial relationships with nature. “the

real you is who you are when no one is watching,”

says Bosley. “nature is the perfect classroom that

provides students with the ideal tools, means, and

context with which to thrive.” Experiential learning

is fun. students that are enjoying themselves are

more likely to pay attention, care about, and retain

what they are learning. CBJ

aliveoutdoors.com

there. It is so fulfilling to know that I will

always have someone to talk to when things

get rough, someone to share good news

with, someone to share my feelings with,

finally someone that I know will listen. I`m

in business and I m learning that the people

are most productive when they listen to

each other s ideas and thoughts. I know this

may sound rudimentary, but I have come to

realize how true this is. I know I will always

be able to talk to you and I thank you for

that. I know you put a lot of time and effort

into organizing those camps and well I

cannot put into words how grateful I am for

that. Camp is by far my fondest memory of

St. Mikes, not the Metro Bowl wins, or the

hockey games, or the parties. It has always

been and always will be camp and the

person who helped shape me into who I am

today and that person is you Jal. Thank you.

Sincerely: Al Finateri-- SMC

As sEEn In tHE nOVEMBEr 2013 IssuE OF tHE cAnAdIAn BusInEss JOurnAL

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