The 2018 Aerial Symposium and Association for Experiential Education Mid-Atlantic Regional Conference will be hosted back to back from March 21 - 25 at the WVU Outdoor Education Center.
The Aerial Symposium runs from March 21-22. This conference event is intended for current and aspiring professionals in the aerial adventure field. It was created to bring local vendors, operators and regulators together to discuss the industry and its future direction.
During the Aerial Symposium, participants can attend workshops pertaining to management, operations, training and experiential education; there will also be opportunities to connect and network with other industry members.
The Mid-Atlantic AEE Regional Conference runs from March 23-25. This regional conference will focus on the various aspects related to the field of experiential education. Specific session will highlight outdoor and adventure education, K-12 education, higher education, administration, organizational training and development and therapeutic adventure/adventure therapy.
Pre and post-conference sessions are also available for both events. Participants will have the opportunity to select between four different workshop opportunities. Session topics include STEM literacy, adventure sports, training and effective interpretation techniques, an aerial adventure workshop with Adventure WV and a discussion about climbing in Coopers Rock State Forest.
Extension Specialist Doug Arbogast will lead a workshop before the Symposium Wednesday, March 21. This workshop is designed to give adventure tourism guides the knowledge and skills needed to engage visitors in a positive and constructive way. This course will provide training on effective interpretation techniques, which will contribute to more effective communication with the visitor.
On Friday, March 23 from 9:00 a.m. - noon, Andrew Hoover will present a pre-AEE conference workshop about incorporating adventure activities into STEM based curriculums. Attendees will have the opportunity to engage in learning experiences that will help translate these activities into real, relevant and hands-on experiential activities for students. In this workshop, you will learn how to make fundamental principles of math and science intriguing. The cost of this workshop is $15; space is limited to 20 participants.
Adventure WV Staff will also present an Aerial Adventure and Captive Audience workshop from 2:00 - 5:00 p.m. This pre-conference AEE workshop will allow attendees to experience the WVU Zip-Line Canopy tour. Participants will zip among the trees and learn about Adventure WV’s approach to interpretation and how they convey the story of the WVU Research Forest. The cost of the workshop is $25; 8 spots are still available.
Adventure WV’s Kevin Shon will facilitate another pre-conference workshop before the AEE Mid-Atlantic Regional Conference. This will include a tour and discussion about climbing resources at Coopers Rock. Participants will discuss best practices for outdoor climbing programs and review basic climbing rescue systems. Participants are encouraged to bring a copy of their climbing program manual and administrative resources to facilitate sharing and learning among colleagues. WVU will supply all ropes and other hard/soft goods; participants can bring their own PPE and climbing equipment or use WVU’s equipment.
The tentative schedule for both the Aerial Symposium and AEE Mid-Atlantic Regional Conference can be found online. The Aerial Symposium schedule can be found on the General Symposium Info page on the Adventure WV Outdoor Education Center website; the AEE Mid-Atlantic Regional Conference schedule can be found on the Mid-Atlantic Region page on the Association of Experimental Education website.
Various lodging options are available including Adventure Basecamp Yurts, Lakeview Resort and camping at the Chestnut Ridge Campground.
Adventure Basecamp Yurts are available on a first-come, first-serve basis. Reservations with the Adventure Basecamp Yurts are bundled with meals and conference reservation rates. Reservations must be made as part of a conference reservation; individuals not participating in either conference event are not permitted to stay. Adventure Basecamp Yurts are outfitted with bunk-beds, electricity and heat and have access to bathroom, shower, picnic area and fire ring. Other lodging accommodations include:
Lakeview Resort:
Located 9 miles away from Outdoor Education Center.
When booking, inform that you are visiting for the AEE Mid-Atlantic Conference.
Chestnut Ridge Campground:
$10/person/night if booked by Monday, March 19.
Single pad and double pad sites available.
Book at: 304-594-1773, toll free at 888-594-3111 or on the Chestnut Ridge Park website