joseph Mcgraw, Stevenson University

Proposal Type

Roundtable

Seeking

  • Seeking Additional Presenters
  • Seeking General Feedback and Interest
Related Topics
  • Place
  • Public Engagement
  • Teaching and Training
Abstract

In 2017, I presented at a university humanities & social sciences forum on the holistic health aspects of the outdoor adventure segment of the heritage tourism industry.  As I indicated at that forum, since the beginning of human history and across the globe, there has been a recognition that human beings are holistically healthiest (body-mind-spirit) when they remain connected to the larger natural world of which they are a part.  I went on to report on recent research literature to support this recognition both in general terms and in case studies of healing experiences of individuals on the autism spectrum who have gone for a “walk in the woods” on the NPS Appalachian Trail.  I seek to explore this topic further at a NCPH Roundtable.

Description

I facilitated a Dine Around on the topic at the 2018 NCPH Annual Meeting.  It was a an exciting and stimulating discussion which I wish to continue more fully at the 2019 Annual Meeting.  During the past several years, my firsthand experience with the topic has been primarily limited to organizing and leading a number of outdoor public history activities (“adventures”).  I have been able to introduce Stevenson University public history majors to such “outdoor adventures” as hiking, canoeing, and horseback riding at public history sites.   I am seeking public history colleagues to join me at a Roundtable to explore their experiences with or new ideas for promoting holistic health outdoors (or even indoors!) at public history venues.


If you have a direct offer of assistance, sensitive criticism, or wish to pass along someone’s contact information confidentially, please get in contact directly: Joseph McGraw, [email protected]

All feedback and offers of assistance should be submitted by July 1, 2018. If you have general ideas or feedback to share, please feel free to use the comments feature below.

Discussion

6 comments
  1. If you haven’t already, might be useful to connect with the folks who put on Camping Con 2016 (http://tsgordo2.wixsite.com/campingcon) for insights and/or conversants.

    1. Joe says:

      Great idea! Many thanks for this suggestion.

  2. Jennifer Betsworth says:

    Joseph – I’m definitely attracted to this topic, mostly due to my own firsthand experience leading tours at Camp Santanoni in the Adirondacks. https://www.facebook.com/GreatCampSantanoni/ There’s a 5 mile carriage road that visitors must walk / bike / ski in on or take a horse and wagon ride. The experience of traveling down the road itself frames their experience of the site – which is often unguided, but could include a tour. This year, I’ll be adding a special event with a canoe tour for the first time.

    Other than relating my experience and describing how the history and existence of the site functions as a beautiful metaphor and example of wilderness/nature and history/culture working in concert, I’m not sure what I could contribute to advance the conversation at the session. It is interesting to think about what it means for a site like Santanoni where there really is no option to get out of your car and wander onto a tour. Visiting the site requires some acknowledgement that you’ll be spending time in nature, whether you’re hiking or watching the landscape pass by on a wagon ride.

    1. Joe says:

      Thanks for your comment. Off the top of my head, I’m inclined to think that you could contribute greatly to the conversation. Let me check out the link you included and get back to you.

  3. Amber Mitchell says:

    Hi Joseph,

    You may want to reach out to the folks at Indiana Humanities. They run an amazing and popular program called “Next Indiana Campfires,” that combines the humanities, literature, and naturalism. They’ve done an excellent job of not only making the outdoors fun and educational, but also making the program sustainable: https://indianahumanities.org/programs/campfires

  4. Joe says:

    Sounds like an excellent lead for me, Amber. Thanks for your comment.

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