MET AD 733 Leadership in Management Practicum

The outdoor laboratory sessions for MET AD 733 will take place on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, June 5-7, 2009 at BU's Sargent Center for Outdoor Education. The sessions will run from approximately 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Friday and Saturday and from 8:30 a.m. until noon on Sunday. The overall purpose of the 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.

The following answers to some commonly expressed questions may help you better prepare for the lab sessions. You are welcome to contact Robert Rubendall, director of Sargent Center, at the address or phone below to further discuss expectations for your participation.

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 and the teacher, often involving an unusual or challenging situation, that engages the participants both mentally and physically. The interaction is followed by focused reflection to identify behaviors and 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 experience itself to derive learning afterward.

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, route finding, 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 rope 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.

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, 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.

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.

Tentative schedule of lab activities:

Friday, 6/5

Solution finding, trust, competition vs. collaboration, partnering (a variety of low and higher challenge team activities)

Saturday, 6/6

Leadership styles, feedback, creativity, follow-through (an odyssey involving route finding, river crossing, solution finding)

Sunday, 6/7

Personal challenge, integrating functional teams (the ultimate high challenge event incorporating strategy, risk-taking and communication)

Sargent Center Information

Welcome to the Leadership in Management practicum at Boston University’s Sargent Center in Hancock, New Hampshire. The Center provides an excellent setting to explore decision making, leadership, and problem solving using a hands-on approach. The practicum is carefully designed to complement the reading and discussion you will be engaged in throughout the rest of the course.

The following information will help you plan for living and working together in this unique learning environment. Remember, this is an intensive, residential course in which you will live, eat, sleep and breathe leadership and management theory for an entire weekend. To maximize the benefits of the course, plan to devote yourselves mentally and physically to the subject matter and interactive experiences. Exercises and debriefing sessions will be held morning, afternoon and evening. We will, of course, build in time for healthy recreation and relaxation along the way.

About Sargent Center

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.

Registration

You need to register between 9:00 and 9:45 Friday morning, June 5th in Northern Lodge (see Campus Map on website). Make sure to allow enough time for travel; the first class begins at 10:00 sharp. During one of the early classes on Main Campus, we will discuss car pooling from the BU campus. The practicum will end at 1:00 Sunday afternoon.

Accommodations

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. Linens, including mattress pad, two sheets, a blanket, pillow, pillowcase, towel and washcloth will be provided at no extra charge. You will only 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.

Classroom and Dining

Classes and dining will be in Northern Lodge. The exercises 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. Please do not plan to bring additional snacks into the cabins, as they may attract animals.

Telephones, TV's and Computers

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. We have a wide area wireless network, which you are welcome to use to check email during your stay.

Free Time 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, weather permitting.

Town of Peterborough

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 emergency needs. Several art galleries and parks exist for browsing and relaxing.

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.

What to Bring

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
  • Small day pack or bag to carry extra clothing and water in the field
  • 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 outdoor activities
  • 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.

Health Forms

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. These will be collected in class before the retreat, or you can fill it out and send it directly to the campus. It is available with the other course materials on line.

Directions to Sargent Center

Transportation will be scheduled during an introductory class for anyone needing a ride from Main Campus to Sargent Center. We encourage car pooling to save on gas and lower carbon output to and from the Center. For those choosing to drive:

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

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

Contact Information

Robert Rubendall
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
www.bu.edu/outdoor