The acquisition of life skills through adventure-based activities and programs: a review of the literature.

This paper discusses the definition of at-risk elementary and secondary school students and identifies incidence and prevalence of various related stressors and behaviors. Assessment issues for at-risk students are highlighted. Theoretical issues that pertain to early adolescence and educational adventure-based program approaches that have been used to intervene or assist in risk remediation for the identified student are addressed. A comparison between the adventure-based programs and the more traditional life skills approach is presented. Empirical evaluations and limitations of adventure programming and adventure-based counseling as well as practice implications and suggestions for further research are reviewed.