So tell me . . .

What Is Adventure-Based Training?

Great question!!  ADVENTURE-based training is exactly what it sounds like: training based on ADVENTURE experiences.  Webster defines ADVENTURE thusly: noun, from Latin adventus; 1 a : an undertaking usually involving danger and unknown risks b : the encountering of risks (the spirit of adventure)  2 : an exciting or remarkable experience (an adventure in exotic dining).

That pretty well sums it up (except the Latin part--it's all Greek to me).  ADVENTURE-based training involves danger (Will I be embarrassed?  Will I have to hold hands with that guy?  Will I fall off this log if I don't?), unknown risks (What happens if I trust my teammates?  Will they let me down, or hold me up?), and exciting or remarkable experience (I can't believe we did that--and blindfolded!!  Do we get a T-shirt for this?)

"But why?" (you ask,)  "Why put my group through all that?  Will it really do any good?  Hey yeah, do we get a T-shirt?"  Great questions!  Let me give you four reasons, based on the work of Karl Rohnke & Jim Grout (true Fathers of the field):

1. Communication.  When you provide an encounter, a problem-solving situation that people are intrigued by and respond to, they begin to talk.  After trial and error, participants discover that to experience a satisfying outcome, they must also listen.  Communication happens among your team members.
2. Cooperation.  What a concept!  Place a challenge before a diverse group.  Do or do not, with no alternatives.  Action is inevitable, and to achieve the goal, cooperation becomes key.  Your team members become a team, working together to succeed.
3. Trust.  Without trust, communication and cooperation are just two 5-syllable words that look good in bold type.  Shared experiences build trust, and it builds s-l-o-w-l-y. . . Trust is based on respect and consistency.  Fear must be overcome: fear of failure, emotional discomfort, pain.  Fear diminishes as trust builds.  And trust becomes a foundation of stretching out without fear--something your group must do to be effective in minstry.
4. FUN, fun, FUN, phun.  If your mission team's experience isn't fun, your team will not be as effective and your team members may never try it again. Victor Borge said, "Laughter is the shortest distance between two people."  Having fun together connects team members.  And besides, being a Christian is FUN!! (so we might as well show that off sometimes!)

Oh, and yeah, if you want a T-shirt, we can get you a T-shirt.

Back to MISSION: ADVENTURE

Grout, J. & Rohnke, K.  (1998).  Back pocket adventure.  Project Adventure, Inc.