Part I presents the history of adventure education as well as the numerous theories and philosophies that have informed its development. It explores the world of adventure in education, health care, and therapeutic, corporate, and school settings. It also provides an overview of adventure organizations and career options, which is helpful to students who are interested in pursuing the study of adventure.

Part II outlines the technical and pedagogical skills needed for facilitating adventure experiences.

Part III describes each adventure component, explaining how they work in the educational process. It covers facilities-based pursuits such as games, cooperative activities and initiatives, and challenge courses as well as outdoor pursuits. Some sample activities and many additional resources are provided. The final chapter covers models for programming adventure in educational, therapeutic, corporate, and community settings.

For students who select careers in other fields, the leadership and team skills learned through Adventure Education: Theory and Applications will serve them well in their future workplaces. For students who do go into adventure education, this text is their guide for finding their own paths in the field.