• Journal of Christian Education in Korea
• /
• v.69
• /
• pp.105-137
• /
• 2022

This paper is to study the characteristics of outdoor wilderness education and the impacts of outdoor wilderness experience on the participants in higher education. The first part of this paper addresses the common components of outdoor wilderness programs: adventure or self-discovery in disequilibrium, small groups for accountability in a temporary community, problem solving processes for decision making in real situations, solo time for integration in solitude, and leadership styles and role of the trip leaders. These elements of outdoor wilderness programs help the participants to achieve their goals according to its mission. The second part of this paper divides outdoor wilderness programs into three categories according to the objectives and outcomes of outdoor wilderness education: orientation programs for incoming students, personal leadership development programs, and professional training programs. The impacts of outdoor wilderness experiences on the participants of different programs in higher education were reviewed. Then guidelines for spiritual formation prorgams were proposed for Christian educators who are involved in wilderness programs in higher education to develop their practical wilderness experiences into holistic development programs according to its mission and goals.