Coalition for Education in the Outdoors

Coalition for Education in the Outdoors Biennial Research Symposium

Join us for the 17th Biennial Research Symposium

• February 6-8, 2026 at YMCA Blue Ridge Assembly, Black Mountain, NC, USA. 
• 2026 Call for Abstracts is available now. Deadline for submission is September 1, 2025. 
• A Pre-symposium session focused on character education and outdoor education facilitated by Pete Allison (Penn State University) and Laurie Pearson (American Camp Association) will be held on Friday, February 6 from 9am - 1pm 
• Registration information for the symposium is available at: https://www.2ndnaturetrec.com/

Recap: 16th Biennial Research Symposium 

CEO's 16th Biennial Research Symposium was held January 12-14, 2024, at YMCA Blue Ridge Assembly, Black Mountain, NC, USA. Highlights included the following:

• Over 75 in-person attendees
• Pre-Symposium Session on “Integrating Outdoor Education and Formal Schooling”
• Panel on Trends in Outdoor Education Research
• A total of 19 oral and 5 poster presentations
  • View the 2024 Book of Abstracts (PDF).

See 16th Biennial Research Symposium for more details, pictures, and links. 

Recap: CEO's 15th Biennial Research Symposium 

CEO's 15th Biennial Research Symposium was held February 11-13, 2022, at YMCA Blue Ridge Assembly, Black Mountain, NC, USA. Highlights included the following:

• Keynote Address by Dr. Corliss Outley, Professor, Clemson University and Founder and Director of the Race, Ethnicity, Youth and Social Equity (REYSE) Collaboratory 
• Fireside Chat with Founders of CEO Panel  
• A total of 22 oral presentations
  • View the 2022 Book of Abstracts (PDF).

See 15th Biennial Research Symposium for more details and links. 

Statement of Purpose

The Coalition for Education in the Outdoors is an international non-profit network of outdoor education scholars who share a mission – the support and furtherance of critically examined research that serves the goals (education “in, for and about” the outdoors) of outdoor education. The Coalition conducts a biennial research symposium and publishes a peer-reviewed book of abstracts to encourage and communicate research, theory and critical thought in all endeavors that address outdoor education including conservation, environmental, experiential, adventure and sustainability education, organized camping, and environmental interpretation. 

Coalition History

The Coalition was established in 1987 at the State University of New York at Cortland by a group of outdoor educators from around the country. Founders believed the Coalition would fill a need in the outdoor education community for an organization that "would unite outdoor associations, institutions, businesses, and agencies to better serve both professionals and consumers in the outdoors."