Bobbi L. Beale, co-director of the Center for Innovative Practices at the Begun Center for Violence Prevention Research and Education and CEO of Life Adventures for All Consulting, has been recognized by the Association for Experiential Education (AEE) with the Dr. Nina S. Roberts Social Justice Award.
A global community of experiential educators and practitioners dedicated to enriching lives through experiential learning, AEE connects a diverse network of educators, practitioners and researchers to promote and expand the field of experiential education.
Beale will be celebrated for her outstanding contributions to social justice and advocacy at the 2024 AEE International Conference in Estes Park, CO, Nov. 14–16.
The Dr. Nina S. Roberts Social Justice Award recognizes people who have actively engaged in social justice and advocacy aimed at making the lives of others and/or communities better through empowerment, environmental justice, research, community organizing, civic engagement, social and/or systems change related to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging initiatives.
This award was created in honor of Dr. Nina S. Roberts, who was a bold visionary, social justice leader, researcher, trainer and practitioner. Dr. Roberts was internationally recognized for her work on urban youth, women and girls in outdoor environments, highlighting the vital connection between nature and the development of healthy lifestyles. She spent over twenty years working in the field with the National Park Service. She was a Fulbright scholar, a prolific writer and always wove advocacy, social justice, inclusion, empowerment, anti-oppression, anti-racism, power dynamics and critical analysis into her published works and training. Dr. Roberts was a force of nature and a brilliant activist, always willing to take the lead and challenge the status quo.
"Bobbi Beale is a force just as Nina Roberts was in her time," said Sherry Bagley, executive director of AEE. "Bobbi has profoundly impacted countless lives and communities through her professional work, her personal life and her volunteerism. She is a true leader and she stands up for what she believes in. With Bobbi on your side, you feel as if you can accomplish anything."
Learn more about the AEE conference and awards.
In AEE's monthly Therapeutic Adventure Professional Group Insights newsletter, Beale's latest research article, "The Ohio Adventure Therapy Coalition: A Statewide Trauma Informed Group Work Initiative for Youth Involved in CPS," was highlighted.
Adventures in Academia
A Statewide Adventure Therapy Program Shows Positive Results with Youth in Ohio
By Jay Pepitone
The Journal of Creativity in Mental Health recently published an article that highlights the work of the Ohio Adventure Therapy Coalition (OATC) and their trauma-informed work with youth involved with Child Protection Systems (CPS). Dr. Bobbi Beale, a long standing Therapeutic Adventure Professional Group community member and recipient of the Association for Experiential Education’s 2024 Dr. Nina S. Roberts Social Justice Award, was the project director of the OATC and was responsible for the training, supervision and support of providers who conducted the adventure therapy groups in this study.
The OATC training combined in-person sessions on trauma-informed care held near providers’ agencies with a 12-week adventure therapy curriculum. Weekly webinars provided ongoing support and feedback, while booster sessions reinforced learning. The training utilized the Attachment, Regulation and Competency (ARC) Trauma Treatment Framework, integrating its principles into adventure therapy practices. Providers participated in adventure activities themselves, allowing them to experience the process and cultivate empathy for their clients.
In total, over 95 behavioral health and child protection service providers were trained to deliver these trauma-informed adventure therapy groups, a crucial step toward addressing the unique needs of youth facing mental health challenges. This study examined the positive effects of adventure therapy (AT) on youth in the child welfare system, involving 113 participants. The findings showed significant reductions in mental health symptoms, as indicated by both the Youth Outcome Questionnaire (Y-OQ) and the Child and Adolescent Needs and Strengths (CANS) tools. Improvements were observed in areas like intrapersonal distress and behavior disorders, with parents reporting more significant changes than the youth themselves. This discrepancy underscores the importance of understanding both perspectives.
As youth mental health challenges continue to rise, this study emphasizes the value of adventure therapy as an effective intervention tool. By sharing these insights, we can inspire more practitioners to embrace adventure therapy techniques, ultimately equipping youth with the skills they need to face challenges and foster resilience for the future.