The Idea
Fireside
Choices is a weekend program (3 days, 2 nights) that uses an
 experiential education model
to further student development and engagement. It has three objectives:
(1) Help students construct a sense of attachment to the UNH community and
respect. (2) Increase individual and group moral reasoning and examine
consequences of individual action. (3) Help students develop a greater
sense of purpose in their educational goals for UNH
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Who Participates and When is the Program?
Fireside Choices is a program offered
to students
identified
 within
the UNH judicial system that may
benefit from such a program. In general, selected students have an
intrinsic interest in UNH
but feel lost or confused and want more from their experience at UNH. The
program is a voluntary alternative program to ‘normal sanctions’
currently available in the judicial system. Twelve slots are
available per program and students will be allowed to participate on a
first-come first-served basis.
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What the Program Will
Look Like?
Students will arrive at New Hampshire Hall and check-in. Equipment will be
issued (see the second page for more information on equipment) as needed
and vans will depart for the UNH Browne Center when the group is ready.
 Students
will spend the night at the Browne
Center and
participate in a variety of outdoor challenge course elements and
community service activities. The weekend will be frontloaded within
emphasis on community and student relationship to the community. For
example all students will co-create a “full value contract” which
establishes an emotionally and physically safe environment and community
for all the participants.
Meals will be cooked on camping stoves as a group and students will spend
the night in yurts (outdoor cabin) together. The program and subsequent
activities will be framed around building a sense of community, making
decisions within that community, understanding the consequences of choices
that are made, and acknowledging how choices affect long-term individual
and community goals. Students will return to campus on Sunday morning by
10.00 am.
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Cost of the program:
Fireside Adventure Experience Program is a non-profit organization. The
costs are based on participation and the university grants.
 The Choices
program costs $50 per participant; this includes leader expenses,
room and board, transportation and technical gear.
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Instructors:
The Fireside Experience Program is directed and administered by
professionals who supervise a talented group of instructors. Fireside
instructors are
selected for their technical competence and leadership skills. They are
well prepared to facilitate the “Choices Program”.
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Managing Risk:
Instructors
are highly qualified in risk management procedures and are knowledgeable
about each activity and the risks involved. While
 the dangers associated
with the wilderness are real, minimizing those risks is a constant
priority for the Fireside Adventure Experience instructors. Instructors
strive to create an emotionally supportive atmosphere where participants
can take risks, challenge themselves, and grow.
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 The
goods for the woods:
Fireside can
provide the following:
Technical
Gear:
Backpacks, sleeping bags, tents, stoves, ropes, etc... We will supply you
with a clothing list, the majority of which can usually be found in your
closet.
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DON’T
FORGET TO BRING YOUR $50 CHECK WRITTEN FOR “FIRESIDE ADVENTURE EXPERIENCE
PROGRAM”
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