Directing the Future through Outdoor Skills : An Operational Master Plan for the Sheboygan County Outdoor Skills Center

Abstract

The family plays an important role in development of interests, attitudes, and life skills. In the past, activities such as camping or fishing have been taught by the parent to the child. Changes in the lifestyles of the American family have limited this skill transfer. If individuals are to enjoy positive outdoor experiences and develop an environmental ethic, some means of addressing knowledge and skill development is needed. The Sheboygan County Outdoor Skills Center was built to house an outdoor skills program that would teach individuals of all ages how to take part in positive outdoor experiences. The purpose of this study was to develop an operational master plan for the center. This plan includes the following: a definition of the outdoor skills concept, a documentation of need for outdoor skills programming in Sheboygan County, a summary of management options, and an outline of operational concerns.