This is a philosophy of education that originated with John Dewey. The main premise of this philosophy is that in order for optimal growth or learning to take place, participants must be actively engaged in the learning process.

Experiential education incorporates many methods in which educators purposefully engage with learners in direct experiences and focused reflection to increase knowledge, develop skills, clarify values, and develop people’s capacity to contribute to their communities.

Principles of Experiential Education include:

• Developing/building relationships
• Examining values
• Considering physical, emotional, and social safety
• Assuming responsibility
• Problem-solving
• Creativity
• Utilizing “teachable moments”

Challenge of Choice is an adaptation of the Challenge by Choice Philosophy copyrighted by Project Adventure Inc. This is a philosophy of learning that all facilitators will introduce to groups and enforce in groups, unless there is a risk to safety. Safety is the number one priority. Core principles of the philosophy include:

• Every individual is capable of making their own choices.
• Every individual will be comfortable, challenged, and panic in different situations. The goal of a team building program is to allow individuals to step outside their ‘comfort zone’, and challenge themselves in a way that allows them to learn and grow.
• Participants can choose the ways in which they engage in a given activity.
• Participants may choose to level of difficulty or risk they take throughout a team-building program.

This philosophy does NOT mean participants should choose to sit out completely. If someone is uncomfortable with a challenge, the facilitator and the group should help the individual find something that they can do to continue to engage in the team. This could be as an encourager, note-taker, timekeeper, observer, etc. Alternately, if an activity is too easy for a group or individual, they can ask for it to be made more challenging in order to keep them engaged. Ultimately, facilitators cannot and will not force a participant to take a role that they refuse.

This philosophy gives participants the opportunity to:

• Actively engage in their learning process.
• If a participant chooses to disengage, then that can impact their outcomes, however, that is an impact of their own choices and maybe the necessary learning for that participant in that experience.
• Take a risk in an environment with support and encouragement.
  • There are many reasons that participants make choices that are unbeknownst to us. Providing participants, the autonomy to make choices best for themselves can support a safe and inclusive environment.
    • Participants and groups that are performing may need increased levels of challenge and can choose or ask for that from facilitators.
• Take a step back when they feel overwhelmed or panic with an open invitation to return to the group in the same, or different, ways when they are ready.
  Practice empathy and respect for different ideas, choices, and values of other individuals.

The Full Value Contract serves as a structure for creating a “group culture” that every individual has input into. The process explores values that a group wants to abide by, and behaviors they want to avoid. The process of creating a FVC can provide a sense of caring, respect, and inclusion as a member of the group.

The Full Value Contract asks for the following four commitments:

• Agree to work together to achieve both the individual goals and the group goals.
• Agree to adhere to safety and group behavior guidelines discussed by the group.
• Agree to give and receive honest feedback.
• Agree to increase one's own awareness of being positive and supporting group members.