Very Sad News about a Founder in Outdoor Recreation Law

“It is with sadness that I report that Dr. Betty van der Smissen died this morning at 4:30 from cancer. She worked and was involved in the profession right up to the last week of her life. She has made huge contributions to the field and has touched the lives of many of you. If you would like to make a memorial gift in her honor, a research endowment in her name has been established through AEE (Association of Experiential Educators). I have attached the brochure for all those who may be interested.”

For more than 50 years, Dr. Betty van der Smissen has dedicated her professional life to excellence in research and programming in the out-of-doors and to the professional organizations related to the outdoors.

Selected Aspects:

• Her early experiences in outdoor programming were with church camps. She was an early member of Christian Camping International.
• She was the first research chair on the American Camp Association (ACA) national board and served as president. She conducted research on the ACA camp standards that resulted in the first major revision.
• She worked with the American Association for Health Physical Education & Dance (AAHPERD) outdoor programs beginning with the Council on Outdoor Education.
• She attended the second meeting, in St. Louis, of what became the Association for Experiential Education (AEE), served on AEE’s original bylaws committee, and assisted in the development of the AEE Accreditation Program.
• Her university leadership with outdoor programs has helped shape the development of outdoor research and programming.
• She was the first director of the outdoor field campus at the University of Iowa, where she conducted outdoor education programs.
• Worked with the Stone Valley Outdoor Education Center at Penn State and conducted two national symposia on outdoor research and evaluation.
• Directed more than 100 theses and dissertations related to outdoor topics.
• Worked closely with a Japanese doctoral student who became the national leader for outdoor education in Japan.

Dr. van der Smissen’s dedication to encouraging and supporting outdoor research has resulted in defining career paths for many professionals and enhanced programs and experiences for untold numbers of individuals.

To continue Dr. van der Smissen’s support of and to further research related to outdoor benefits, the AEE has created an endowment in her name:

van der Smissen Research Endowment

Quality outdoor programming that makes a difference in the lives of children and adults rests with our ability to assess and validate its benefits through research.

Grants will be awarded for areas of research involving:

• outdoor programming in adventure, challenge, and experiential programs
• organized camping
• environmental education
• legal aspects related to outdoor programming

Research selected will focus on:

• benefits and outcomes
• attitudes
• interests
• good practices
• experimental design of exemplary programs

Make a tax-deductible contribution to the AEE van der Smissen Research Endowment by completing the form below and returning it to:

AEE van der Smissen

Research Endowment

3775 Iris Avenue, Suite 4

Boulder, CO 80301­2043

• Honor the invaluable contributions Dr. van der Smissen has made to the profession over a lifetime.
• Emulate her belief in the importance of “giving back” professionally.
• Demonstrate your belief in the importance of quality outdoor programming to human development.

Please make checks payable to: Association for Experiential Education, indicating van der Smissen Research Endowment in the memo line.

Funeral Arrangements

Please pass on this information to anyone you think might like to know. Dr. van der Smissen’s viewing will be Sunday, November 9 from 5:00-7:00 pm, and funeral will be Monday, November 10 at 1:00, both at Moore’s Funeral Home, 206 W. Center St. in Fayetteville, AR. There will be a second service in Newton, Kansas where she will be buried on November 13.

For anyone who may be coming from out of town to Fayetteville, if you let me know, I can help you make hotel arrangements, etc. The best airports are XNA (Northwest Arkansas) or Tulsa, which is 2 hours and 15 minutes away. Thank you for your support and concern for Betty and her family. She will be missed by our profession.