The first edition of Leadership and Administration of Outdoor Pursuits was originally written by Jim Blanchard and Phyllis Ford as a textbook for college and university students studying outdoor education, outdoor leadership, and outdoor recreation. In addition to being widely adopted by universities, the text has proven to be a valuable resource for administrators and leaders of outdoor activities in a range of settings, such as summer camps, Scouting, parks and recreation departments, public and private schools, Outward Bound, NOLS and other adventure-based programs, and private outfitters and guide services.

Anyone responsible for delivering safe, high-quality outdoor pursuits experiences will find this book useful. The material is presented from a practical perspective, with an emphasis on managing activity risks, minimizing exposure to legal liability, and defining current professional outdoor leadership standards and practices.

This third edition has been completely rewritten, reorganized, and greatly enhanced. Chapters are segmented into four parts: Background, Administration, Leadership, and Implementing Selected Activities. New chapters on Group Dynamics, Critical Leadership Responsibilities, Responding to Emergencies, and Teaching and Facilitation have been added. The chapters Managing Risk in Outdoor Pursuits, Strategic Planning, Tactical Planning, Outdoor Pursuits Leadership, and Care of the Environment have been largely rewritten.