sargent center

Leadership and Career Development for Arts Administration AR 700
Laboratory Sessions: June 10-12, 2005
(Held at Sargent Center for Outdoor Education in Peterborough, NH)
Angela Myles Beeching, Professor
Rob Rubendall, Assistant Professor

Van transportation will be provided to the Boston University Sargent Center in Hancock, NH. All food and lodging will be included in the tuition. The weekend curriculum will address decision making, organizational development, group dynamics, and negotiation strategies.

weekend schedule

Friday  
6-7pm Dinner
7-9pm Introduction/ Orientation
   
Saturday  
9am-12pm Activity I
12-1pm Lunch
1-4pm Activity II
6-7pm Dinner
7-9pm Mini class session
   
Sunday  
8:30am-12:30pm Activity III
12:30-1:30pm Lunch

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 






The activities or outdoor laboratory sessions will take place Saturday from approximately 9:00am to 4:00pm and Sunday morning from 8:30am-12:00pm. The overall purpose of these labs is to provide an opportunity to learn more about leadership styles and group behavior in an active format. You will explore in an experiential process your own style of leadership as well as observe and discuss the behaviors and interactions of your classmates.

Frequently Asked Question about sessions at Sargent Center:

What is experiential education?

How physical are the exercises?

Am I required to participate?

What safety measures are employed?


Is there a tentative schedule of lab topics?

What is Sargent Center for Outdoor Education?

What are the accommodations for the weekend?

Classroom and Dining?

Telephones and TV's?

Will students have free time and recreation?

Is there nearby shopping?

What are the Medical Facilities and Emergency Staff?

What do I pack?

Are there any Health Forms that I need to fill out?

What are the Directions to Sargent Center? (from Boston area)

How do I contact Sargent Center for Outdoor Education?


What is experiential education?
Experiential education can be a very broad term. For this course, it is defined as a complete learning experience that begins with structured interaction between group members, often involving an unusual or challenging situation, and engages the participants both mentally and physically. The interaction is followed by focused reflection to draw out behaviors and common values expressed by the group. These are then further discussed to relate the “laboratory” experience to the themes of the course. The experiential learning model is often referred to as “taking the test before the course,” building on the e experience itself to derive learning afterward. Back to questions

How physical are the exercises?
This is usually determined by the nature of the group. Some exercises involve little or no physical activity beyond interacting with each other and a few simple props. Others can involve movement, challenge, and even perceived risk. The risk may be climbing a series of steps or ladders, crossing over a small beam a foot or so off the ground, lifting someone over or through a barrier, or climbing a structure using technical rock climbing harness and safety systems.

The purpose of doing each exercise is to fully engage participants in a meaningful learning experience that will provide data for follow-up reflection. The level of physical challenge is adjusted to the needs of the individuals in the group.Back to questions

Am I required to participate?
To succeed in the course, you will need to actively participate in the lab sessions. This means interacting with your classmates, offering ideas and suggestions, actively supporting the efforts of others, and taking on the level of challenge and risk that is appropriate for you. We use a philosophy called “challenge by choice,” which simply means you control the level of participation at all times, and no coercion will be used to push you beyond your comfort zone. You will, however, be given the opportunity to challenge yourself as much as you like. True learning takes place only when the learner is motivated and freely chooses to learn. This will be explained in detail in the first lab session.Back to questions

What safety measures are employed?
Sargent Center exceeds standards in the field at managing risk in outdoor exercises. Staff have been fully trained and have years of experience leading these kinds of activities. Our equipment is state-of-the-art and is inspected annually by both internal and external consultants. Policies and procedures reflect years of observation data and are designed to minimize risk as much as possible. Not only will your physical safety be foremost in our mind, but your emotional safety as well. See “challenge by choice” in the preceding paragraph.Back to questions


Is there a tentative schedule of lab topics:
Saturday a.m. Solution finding, trust, competition vs. collaboration, partnering
Saturday p.m. Leadership styles, feedback, creativity, follow-through
Sunday a.m. Personal challenge, inner resources for leadership Back to questions


What is Sargent Center for Outdoor Education?
Founded in 1912 as a training facility for physical education and health majors at Sargent College, the camp has evolved under Boston University's leadership to become a full-service, year-round conference and education center in the Monadnock Mountain region of New Hampshire. The 700-acre site includes over 22 miles of trails, a 60-acre pond, large open meadow, forests, wetlands, and a floating glacial bog. You will be staying in small, rustic cabins or larger lodges situated around the central meadow. Most people find the tranquil setting and gorgeous surroundings a welcome break from their hectic life styles. We hope you, too, will treasure the time spent with us.

To maximize the benefits of the course, plan to devote yourself mentally and physically to the subject matter and interactive experiences for the entire weekend. Class will meet morning, afternoon and evening. We will, of course, build in time for healthy recreation and relaxation along the way.Back to questions

What are the accommodations for the weekend?

You will be sharing a small, rustic cabin or lodge room with several other students. All buildings have central heat, built-in bunks with mattresses, and bathrooms with hot showers. Each cabin has a comfortable living and study area. Plan to bring your own pillow, bedding and towels, or they can be rented from us for $10 for the weekend. You will also need to bring all your own toiletries, including soap. There is no smoking allowed in any buildings, and alcohol is permitted only in your cabin. No pets of any kind are allowed on campus.Back to questions

Classroom and Dining?
Classes and dining will be in Northern Lodge. The labs will also use many of the outdoor areas and facilities of the Center. We will be joining other groups in the Dining Hall for meals. The food service specializes in delicious and nutritious menus we hope will satisfy even the heartiest of appetites. Not to worry, the extra walking around the center will help balance out the calories. If you have any dietary restrictions, e.g. vegetarian, vegan, low salt, please let Sargent Center know in advance.Back to questions

Telephones and TV's?
Sargent Center is a retreat environment, free from the distractions of televisions and phones in most areas. There are two pay phones, one in each lodge, and we will relay messages to you received in our main office, which is staffed from 8:30 to 5:00 daily. Voice mail messaging is attached to this number for calls received when the office is closed. If you would like to leave an emergency number for someone to call you, please use the Main Office number, 603-525-3311. Cellular phones also work in most areas of the center.Back to questions

Will students have free time and recreation?
Early mornings and late afternoons will be reserved for reading and recreation on your own. Hiking, mountain biking, jogging, canoeing, and bird watching are popular forms of relaxation. Basketball and volleyball courts, as well as a softball diamond are located on our large meadow. The swimming beach will be open from 4:00-5:30 daily.
Back to questions

Is there nearby shopping?
The center does not operate a store. However, the town of Peterborough five miles away has several grocery, stationery and small department stores that should meet all your needs. Several art galleries and parks exist for browsing and relaxing.Back to questions

What are the Medical Facilities and Emergency Staff?
There are no health facilities at the center. You should bring your own supply of personal first aid items and medications. There is an excellent hospital and emergency room in Peterborough ten minutes away. Rescue squads from both Peterborough and Hancock service the center. Conference staff assistance will be available through early evening, and a Nightwatch person is on site overnight in case of emergency.Back to questions

What do I pack?
The class will spend most of the time outside rain or shine, so please come prepared for inclement weather. Use the following list as a planning guide for what to bring, but add or delete items based on your own comfort and preference:

* Changes of casual clothes for informal indoor and active outdoor sessions - jeans, slacks, shorts, T-shirts, long-sleeved cotton shirts, sweats and sweaters
* Light windbreaker for cool mornings and evenings
* Rain gear (hooded parka and rain pants) or poncho
* 2 pairs of sneakers or rubber-soled shoes
* Changes of socks and underwear
* Bathing Suit
* Sunglasses, sun screen, hat, mosquito repellent
* Flashlight (some areas of the center are not well lit) and extra batteries
* Water bottle and a small day pack for lab sessions
* Personal toiletries (soap, shampoo, shaving cream, toothpaste, etc. Hair dryers are permitted.)
* Camera (optional), notebook, pens/pencils
* No pets, hot plates, or open flames are allowed.
Back to questions


Are there any Health Forms that I need to fill out?
Students are required to fill out a Health Information form prior to the weekend to allow Center staff to prepare for your comfort and safety. Please print out a copy of the health form and return to the address below by June 1.Back to questions

What are the Directions to Sargent Center? (from Boston area)

Option 1 (via Route 3)

Take Rte 128 or alternate route to Rte 3 north.
Follow Rte 3 north to exit 8 W in New Hampshire.
Go along exit road 1.4 miles to 101A west.
After 6.4 miles, turn left onto entrance ramp for 101 west.
Go about 5 miles to 4-way intersection after railroad tracks (2nd light), and turn left to stay on 101 west.
Continue 14.3 miles to stop light in Peterborough; continue 2.2 miles west on 101.
(Use the directions below for both routes)
Take a right on Union Street; go one mile.
Turn left on Windy Row; continue 3.4 miles
Turn left on Sargent Camp Road to parking lot at bottom of hill.

Option 2 (via Route 2)

Take Memorial Drive or alternate route to Rte 2 west.
Follow Rte 2 to Rte 140 north (Gardner)
South of Winchendon, take left on Rte 12 north (left at "T" intersection)
Follow signs for Rte. 202 north (right hand turn before Winchendon)
Follow Rte. 202 north to Peterborough.
At light, turn left on 101 west for 2.2 miles
Follow directions about from Union Street.

Registration is in Northern Lodge. Park in main lot and go past office building to Northern Lodge.
Back to questions

How do I contact Sargent Center for Outdoor Education?
Contact Information:
Sargent Center for Outdoor Education
Summer Term
36 Sargent Camp Road
Hancock, NH 03449
email: rubendal@bu.edu
phone: 603-525-3311 fax: 603-525-4151
web: www.bu.edu/outdoor


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