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Taproot: A Journal of Outdoor Education

Abstract

For many of us using group-building activities, the solution to maintaining the integrity of participants lies in supporting their decisions as individuals. "Challenge by Choice" is commonly used in programs that combine individual risk-taking with group-building activities such as rock climbing. The challenge by choice philosophy states that if a participant feels threatened or unsafe with a situation, they reserve the right to step out. However, in order for challenge by choice to be effective, it must be used in conjunction with an environment that suppons an individual's ability to make their own decisions. The pressure felt by an adolescent to take part simply to fit in with his or her peer group cannot be removed by stating to the group, "if you don't feel comfortable doing something you don't have to do it." It becomes the responsibility of the teacher to create a conducive environment in which individuals can make decisions. In some circumstances the influence of the group may be a positive contribution to decision making. In others, the environment must be shaped so that individuals are able to make their decisions without input or pressure from the group.

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