WHAT IS ISAN?
ISAN was founded in 2005 by a group of independent school adventure program directors who shared a common opinion that independent school adventure educators could not find enough time to "talk shop" with our professional peers at various industry conferences. We also realized that we would greatly benefit from increased networking and idea sharing with other adventure educators working within the unique environment of independent schools. Out of this need ISAN was born.

ISAN is designed to be a learning laboratory and networking opportunity through which adventure educators can share their program challenges, successes, and thoughts on the developing role of experiential practices in the future of education. This international network will identify, document, share, and disseminate model programs and proven practices in adventure education occurring within independent schools. Adventure Education encompasses a host of different initiatives in each of our schools including outdoor education, sustainability initiatives, global travel, service learning and leadership development.

ISAN is sponsored by Project Adventure and was developed by five founding schools: Albuquerque Academy, The Lawrenceville School, Phillips Andover Academy, The Westminster Schools, and Westtown School.

What are the goals of the ISAN's Annual Institute?
• Bringing together schools with active adventure leadership and experiential education programs • Sharing proven practices and effective models for adventure based programs • Learning from industry experts on current research and directions of adventure education programs • Creating a network of collegiality and connection for ongoing communication and idea sharing • Having the Institute hosted each year by a different member school (to allow us to see each other's programs and schools up close) • Scheduling time during the Institute to provide time for sharing program strengths and questions, and casual time to network with professional peers.

Who Should Attend an ISAN Institute?
ISAN Institutes are designed to bring together Adventure Education professionals, who work in independent schools, to talk over their program challenges, successes, and the developing role of experiential practices in the future of education. Of course, the institute also provides a forum for making essential connections with other peers in the profession. We are looking for individuals from established programs to join the conversation. If your school has a commitment to adventure education and you are currently running adventure programs at your school we would love to have you involved.

Note: We do offer a limited number of Institute spots each year for new or developing adventure programs. Please contact Jess Barrie at barrie@aa.edu if this category applies to you.

Examples of Past Experts and Workshop Topics:
• Chris Barnes (High Mountain Institute) Integrating academic curriculum within adventure curriculum and programs
• Jim Brady (Santa Barbara Middle School) Creating school wide buy in and involvement for your adventure education program
• Clark Glenn (Lawrenceville School) Designing an effective outdoor leadership program
• Reb Gregg (Reb Gregg Law) Updates in legal liability issues surrounding independent school adventure programs
• Sky Gray (Santa Fe Mountain Centre) Humanistic Risk Management Model
• Andy Watson (Albuquerque Academy) How to communicate with your headmaster to best operate and grow your adventure program
• Dan Garvey (Prescott College) Inspiring and motivating the next generation to tackle sustainability issues
• Josh Hahn (Bridging Sustainability) Connecting sustainability initiatives to adventure education programming
• Outdoor Leadership Students (Albuquerque Academy) Outdoor Leadership programming from the student perspective
• Audience driven school based problems and group supported solutions