A History Through 2001
In January 1983, a group of camp directors representing Royal Ambassador Camps throughout the country met together in Florida to discuss program improvements, shared concerns and strategy for the future. One concern that prompted great discussion was the need for intense training for those staff members leading such specialized activities as Wilderness trips, Shooting sports, Adventure Recreation, and Outdoor Leadership Skills. At that time each camp was training its own staff. There were no centralized training programs that offered high quality education in all of these activitiesª and certainly none that did so from a Christian ministry perspective. At that meeting, by vote, these men decided to establish a workshop to meet this need.
Over the next few months, two agencies of the Southern Baptist Convention agreed to sponsor and convene an Outdoor Leadership Lab. It was promoted among churches, other agencies, and institutions within the SBC. The first OLL was held in May 1984, at Camp McCall, a rustic mountain camp in the Northwest corner of South Carolina. In attendance were men and women serving as youth ministers, camp directors, summer camp staff, children's home group leaders, campus ministers and a variety of other ministry positions. The lab proved to be an enthusiastic success.
Very quickly a decision was made to make OLL an annual event. Participation was opened up to anyone (inter-denominational) who wanted to attend. Instructors were carefully selected and courses prepared. From the beginning it was determined that each participant would immerse himself or herself in one track, receiving 35-45 dedicated hours of training in that discipline. Those who completed the objectives of a track returned to their ministry with a significant amount of training and experience.
Today, OLL is in its 19th consecutive year. Outdoor Leadership Lab is conducted twice a year: at Camp McCall in SC and at T Bar M Ranch in Texas hill country. People from throughout the United States and abroad attend. The courses offered include Adventure Based Counseling, Adventure Recreation, Backpacking, Canoeing and Kayaking, Challenge Course Technology, and Climbing and Repelling. A Sampler course is offered for those wanting a refresher or a taste of each of the activities. Typically, OLL begins on a Saturday and ends on Wednesday or Thursday.
In 1998, a decision was made to allow additional sponsorship of OLL. Currently it enjoys sponsorship by the Centrifuge/Crosspoint Department and the Church Recreation Program of LifeWay Christian Resources, SAMBICA Camp and Conference Center and CAEI. This last sponsor is actually now the parent organization. Christian Adventure Education Institute was formally incorporated in January 2001. It is made up of a group of dedicated professionals and educators who are intent on providing training and resources for those interested in using these theories, skills, and experiences in a ministry setting. CAEI is a non-denominational, non-profit, educational organization.
Over the years, courses have been added and withdrawn, new sites have been tested, schedules have been adjusted and curriculum standards have been sharpened and fine-tuned. Outdoor Leadership Lab continues to provide the finest training in the use of Adventure Education and Wilderness Leadership skills as ministry tools.
-Hal Hill
