The Experiential Learning Cycle The experiential learning cylce comprises four stages which actively engage participants and stimulates learning. After a practical exercise the participants are guided through a reflective process so that abstract concepts and theory can be integrated with practical experience. Thoughts and insights are transformed into generalisations that can be applied to other situations to be tested and the cycle begins again.

Learning by Doing Learning is most effective when it involves active participation. Experiential learning aims not to teach concepts, skills and values, but to offer individuals opportunities to internalise and embrace ideas and ideals because they have experienced them. The concepts of teamwork and effective leadership take on new importance and validity as the individual makes the shift from abstract understanding to intrinsic belief.

Enjoyment and Fun Engaging, enjoyable activities are catalysts for increased motivation and participation, both of which are essential characteristics of employees in an empowered and productive organisation. Outdoor activities have the potential to stretch boundaries and involve a degree of uncertainty and unfamiliarity. As a consequence, people are moved to laugh, play and explore new ways of interacting.

Why Outdoors?

A Change of Environment
An unfamiliar and often unpredictable setting such as the outdoors provides an inescapable metaphor for the rapidly changing business environment. Different environments and unanticipated challenges require a more authentic and immediate engagement with the tasks and the people at hand.

Levelling of roles
Whatever the complexity of relationships within a team, outdoor experiences place everyone on common ground. While some individuals may have more outdoor skill or experience than others, creative program design can offer different levels of challenge so that co-operative team effort not individual attainment, is of primary importance.

Trust Working together on tasks which are unfamiliar and which require a high degree of interdependence develops trust. Individuals can focus on personal issues, interpersonal dynamics and team functioning, while supported by skilled facilitators. To rely on others in ways which are not customary for individuals in a normal working environment, generates a trust and mutual respect often beyond anything previously experienced by colleagues in the workplace.