Outdoor, Adventure, and Experiential Programming in child welfare utilizes nature-based activities to promote the well-being and development of at-risk youth.
These programs focus on building trust, teamwork, and resilience through engaging experiences that encourage personal growth and social skills. By providing a safe and supportive environment, they aim to empower children in foster care or other challenging situations, fostering a sense of belonging and enhancing emotional stability.
Publications
Tucker, A. R., Beale, B., Norton, C. L., Walsh, H., Keefe K., Holmes, L., & Wermer-Colan, R. (2024). The Ohio Adventure Therapy Coalition: A statewide trauma informed group work initiative to meet the needs of CPS youth. The Journal of Creativity in Mental Health. Advanced Online Publication. https://doi.org/10.1080/15401383.2024.2386163
Norton, C. L., Schultz, M., Benton, A., Boden-McGill, C. & Kiosoglous, C. (2019). Outdoor adventure-based group work to promote coping and resilience among child welfare workers. In -T. J. Carter, C. J. Boden-McGill, & K. Peno, (Eds). Transformative learning in professional learning contexts: Building resilient professional identities for work-based practice (pp. 197-220). Information Age Publishing.
Norton, C. L., Tucker, A. R., Farnham, M., Borroel, F., & Pelletier, A. (2019). Family enrichment adventure therapy: A mixed methods study examining the impact of trauma-informed adventure therapy on children and families affected by abuse. Journal of Child and Adolescent Trauma, 12(1), 85-95. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40653-017-0133-4
