By Amanda Even, Mike Doyle, and Kristal Fehring
NIRSA members are specially invited to College Park, MD for the 2013 Association of Outdoor Recreation and Education (AORE) Annual Conference being held November 7-9.
Located just 10 miles north of Washington DC, this year’s conference site allows attendees to be in close proximity to legislative groups as well as influential environmental advocacy groups, so innovative ideas and professional passion are sure to be in the air.
In harmony with this unique opportunity, this year’s conference theme of “Building Bridges” focuses on forging partnerships and strengthening relationships.
Students at the University of Cincinnati engaging in outdoor recreation events.
Attendees will have a chance to put this theme into immediate practice; an Access Symposium and a Bike Symposium have been introduced to this year’s conference program. The Access Symposium will facilitate communication and collaboration between the AORE membership and federal land agencies, while the Bike Symposium will bring programmers and advocacy groups together to discuss best practices in bicycle programming.
Each year, the AORE Conference schedule is packed with opportunities to learn, explore, and network. This year is no exception. With over 60 educational sessions, AORE offers seven different conference tracks to help you get the most personally and professionally relevant information out of your conference experience. The Research and Publications Symposium, an annual event now expanded to a full day, allows practitioners, students, and faculty to both formally present and display abstracts on subjects related to outdoor recreation and educational behavior, techniques and methods, or applied research.
Another not-to-be-missed event is the Outdoor Orientation Presentation Symposium. This day of learning brings program directors, school administrators, student leaders, researchers, and land managers to one place to discuss strategies for supporting students in wilderness pre-orientation programs. Additionally, this symposium provides context for program development and growth, best practices, new program techniques, and nuts and bolts information that will help established and aspiring programs.
A variety of pre-conference trainings and workshops offer hands-on opportunities to learn, grow, and engage for everyone from climbing and kayaking instructors to wilderness first responders. There is something for everyone at AORE 2013!
As a benefit of NIRSA membership, NIRSA members can register for the AORE Annual Conference at AORE member rates. Visit the NIRSA Discounts & Rewards page to learn more.
You won’t want to miss this chance to join your outdoor recreation and education colleagues in College Park this November to further explore “Building Bridges” through educational sessions, symposiums, the exhibitor hall, and networking. While you’re there, don’t miss the chance to take advantage of the opportunities to paddle, bike and climb in and around this capital city.
See you in November!
