Placemaking as an approach to increased access to Outdoor Experiential Education

This workshop will explore the concept that “the outdoors” is a construct that has been designed, much like city spaces, by those who hold power. As a result Outdoor Experiential Education programs unwittingly continue to propagate systemic access barriers for equity-seeking groups. How can educators, organizations and program designers intentionally create spaces that are welcoming? This workshop explores the themes and origins of this exclusion and uses the tools of placemaking as a solution to design inviting spaces for all students. Workshops participants will be invited to actively engage in discussion and designing sample outdoor spaces.