Association For Experiential Education

Accreditation - in 1994, aee developed the most comprehensive standards for common practices in the industry, becoming the nation's first recognized accreditation process focusing on experiential adventure programming. Since then, the aee accreditation program's standards-based evaluation process by objective, independent reviewers have become the industry-accepted level of professional evaluation for experiential, outdoor and adventure, and outdoor behavioral healthcare programs. Attaining accredited status through the aee accreditation program is solid evidence of an organization's commitment to quality and safety, belief in professional standards, and allocation of resources toward continued excellence and improvement. Programs that achieve aee accredited status can be confident that they meet or exceed recognized industry standards.

Membership - aee is a professional membership organization. Our members influence and inspire over one million individuals each year, with our accredited programs working with over 300,000 people annually. Aee members represent a broad spectrum of professional fields that utilize experiential education methodologies and practices: outdoor, classroom, human service, organizational training, therapeutic, and adventure settings. We recognize and champion the fact that experiential education can take place in many different settings and facilitate the connection between individuals from all areas of professional focus, perspective and background. While use of the outdoors is not a requirement for experiential education, challenge is often achieved through activities in the outdoors. Accordingly, we recognize the value of nature and the outdoors. Becoming a member of aee allows you to participate in a supportive community dedicated to promoting, defining,developing, and applying the theories and practices of experiential education.