I very much enjoyed interacting with you all while on our sea kayak expedition. As I reflect upon our experience, I am reminded particularly of your observations and your comments relating to the leadership component of your trip.
In his book Outdoor Leadership, John Graham writes:
“Leadership is not a science to be picked up in one book or course, but an art to be learned over time.”
For this week's blog, please consider and answer the following questions:
1. What do you think John Graham means by this quote, and
2. How do you think this applies to your experiences of this past weekend?
Monday, September 24, 2007
Wednesday, September 19, 2007
Wilderness Discussion Reflection
Our discussion in class last week around the concept of wilderness brought up several interesting points about how we perceive wilderness. Particularly, there were three points I would like you to think about and comment on for this week's blog:
1. How do you feel about the U.S. government's initiative to remove people from designated wilderness areas? Was this necessary to achieve the goals set forth by the Wilderness Act of 1964?
2. The act's definition of wilderness is one that does not include human intervention:
A wilderness, in contrast with those areas where man and his own works dominate the landscape, is hereby recognized as an area where the earth and its community of life are untrammeled by man, where man himself is a visitor who does not remain. An area of wilderness is further defined to mean in this chapter an area of undeveloped Federal land retaining its primeval character and influence, without permanent improvements or human habitation, which is protected and managed so as to preserve its natural conditions and which (1) generally appears to have been affected primarily by the forces of nature, with the imprint of man's work substantially unnoticeable; (2) has outstanding opportunities for solitude or a primitive and unconfined type of recreation...
Is it possible for humans to visit wilderness and leave it "untrammeled"? Why or why not?
3. What level of intervention should humans play in managing forest fires within wilderness areas?
Please comment on these three points using one paragraph for each point. Remember to use spell and grammar checks and use proper punctuation.
1. How do you feel about the U.S. government's initiative to remove people from designated wilderness areas? Was this necessary to achieve the goals set forth by the Wilderness Act of 1964?
2. The act's definition of wilderness is one that does not include human intervention:
A wilderness, in contrast with those areas where man and his own works dominate the landscape, is hereby recognized as an area where the earth and its community of life are untrammeled by man, where man himself is a visitor who does not remain. An area of wilderness is further defined to mean in this chapter an area of undeveloped Federal land retaining its primeval character and influence, without permanent improvements or human habitation, which is protected and managed so as to preserve its natural conditions and which (1) generally appears to have been affected primarily by the forces of nature, with the imprint of man's work substantially unnoticeable; (2) has outstanding opportunities for solitude or a primitive and unconfined type of recreation...
Is it possible for humans to visit wilderness and leave it "untrammeled"? Why or why not?
3. What level of intervention should humans play in managing forest fires within wilderness areas?
Please comment on these three points using one paragraph for each point. Remember to use spell and grammar checks and use proper punctuation.
Thursday, September 13, 2007
Wilderness
Next week we will be departing on our first expedition: a four-day sea kayak trip. As we prepare for this experience, I would like you to think about what is "wilderness". For this blog, I would like you to:
1. Visit and read about wilderness at wilderness.net
2. Post a blog entry that includes your summary definition of wilderness (do not copy & paste!).
3. Post a one-paragraph statement with your reaction to the following quote about wilderness. Include if you agree or disagree with this point of view and why.
We did not think of the great open plains, the beautiful rolling hills, and winding streams with tangled growth, as “wild.” Only to the white man was nature a “wilderness” and only to him was the land “infested” with “wild animals” and “savage” people. To us it was tame. Earth was bountiful and we were surrounded with the blessings of the Great Mystery. —Chief Luther Standing Bear, of the Oglala band of Sioux.
Again, be sure to use a word processor to spell and grammar check before posting and to post using your first name. This post is due before 9:00 am class on Friday, Sept. 14.
1. Visit and read about wilderness at wilderness.net
2. Post a blog entry that includes your summary definition of wilderness (do not copy & paste!).
3. Post a one-paragraph statement with your reaction to the following quote about wilderness. Include if you agree or disagree with this point of view and why.
We did not think of the great open plains, the beautiful rolling hills, and winding streams with tangled growth, as “wild.” Only to the white man was nature a “wilderness” and only to him was the land “infested” with “wild animals” and “savage” people. To us it was tame. Earth was bountiful and we were surrounded with the blessings of the Great Mystery. —Chief Luther Standing Bear, of the Oglala band of Sioux.
Again, be sure to use a word processor to spell and grammar check before posting and to post using your first name. This post is due before 9:00 am class on Friday, Sept. 14.
Saturday, September 1, 2007
Blog Discussion for Week 1
This week, you've had a short introduction to this course through photographs and discussion in class. You've also received a number of assignments including your emergency kit, current events, and blog assignments.
For this first blog entry, I would like you to think about and answer the following:
1. What do you think this program is really all about?
2. What specifically do you hope to learn from being in this program?
Your response should be no less than one paragraph for each question (one paragraph is 4-5 sentences of logical and connected writing). Remember to compose your answers in a word processor and use spell and grammar check before copying and pasting into the blog comment box. Your response should be posted before class on Friday, September 7.
For this first blog entry, I would like you to think about and answer the following:
1. What do you think this program is really all about?
2. What specifically do you hope to learn from being in this program?
Your response should be no less than one paragraph for each question (one paragraph is 4-5 sentences of logical and connected writing). Remember to compose your answers in a word processor and use spell and grammar check before copying and pasting into the blog comment box. Your response should be posted before class on Friday, September 7.
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