Journal History
Journal History (2015–present)
The Association of Outdoor Recreation and Education, the Wilderness Education Association, and the Western Kentucky University Research Foundation entered a publishing partnership with Sagamore Publishing to continue the operation of the Journal of Outdoor Recreation, Education, and Leadership.
Volume 7 Issue 2 to present have been published by Sagamore. www.ejorel.com
Journal History (2011–2015)
Dr. Andrew Bobilya of Montreat College was announced as the new Editor-in-Chief for the Journal of Outdoor Recreation, Education, and Leadership.
In the spring of 2012, the Association of Outdoor Recreation and Education selected Dr. Nathan Furman of Green Mountain College as their newest representative on the journal advisory group (replacing Dr. Thomas Stuessy).Journal History (2008 Launch–2010)
The Journal of Outdoor Recreation, Education, and Leadership was officially launched on October 31, 2008 at the AORE Conference in San Diego, CA. This official launch included the release of the inaugural "Call for Papers."
From launch date through November 2010, volume 1 (regular issues 1 and 2) and volume 2 (regular issues 1 and 3) were published under the direction of the Editor-in-Chief, Dr. Aram Attarian of North Carolina State University. The journal's first special issue, issue 2 of volume 2, was published by guest editors Dr. Raymond Poff, Western Kentucky University; Dr. Bruce Martin, Ohio University; and Dr. Marni Goldenberg, California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo.
In the spring of 2009, the Wilderness Education Association selected Mary Williams and Rachel Collins as their representatives on the journal advisory group (replacing Dr. Bruce Martin and Dr. Marni Goldenberg).
During the fall of 2010, the journal's advisory group conducted a search for a new Editor-in-Chief.
Journal History (From Idea to Reality 2001–2008)
Introduction - The creation of the Journal of Outdoor Recreation, Education, and Leadership was the result of the ongoing discussions and efforts of several people over a seven year period. Upon reviewing the project's history, one may wonder why it took so long. Like many things in life, the journal's creation just took longer than anticipated. This development period allowed the journal to benefit from the transformation of ideas, collaboration between additional organizations, and emerging electronic publication technology.
The general guiding philosophy for this project included developing a journal that would incorporate the research talents of those working in academia along with the talents of outdoor professionals working primarily in the field. While those in academia are more accustomed to submitting articles for potential publication, field practitioners are not, but each group has important information to share with each other and the profession. This new journal would allow for field practitioners to share best practices through a formal peer-reviewed format. The journal was seen as a mechanism which could encourage combined efforts between those inside and outside of academia. These efforts could result in projects combining the nuances of research and effective outdoor recreation, education, and leadership.
The following information attempts to highlight the journal's history. Note that AORE=Association of Outdoor Recreation and Education, WEA=Wilderness Education Association, and WKURF=Western Kentucky University Research Foundation, ICORE=International Conference on Outdoor Recreation and Education.
2008—AORE, WEA, and WKURF formally created a partnership to create the journal and hold equal shares of the project.
The founding journal advisory council was formed with two representatives from each of the three partner organizations.
- Raymond Poff, Ph.D. Western Kentucky University
- Tom Stuessy, Ph.D. Green Mountain College
- Eric Frauman, Ph.D. Appalachian State University
- Bruce Martin, Ph.D. Ohio University
- Marni Goldenberg, Ph.D. Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo State University
- Connie Foster, MLS Western Kentucky University
A call for an editor was advertised and Aram Attarian, Ph.D., North Carolina State University, was selected and hired in August as the first Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Outdoor, Recreation, Education and Leadership.
2007—The AORE/WEA Joint Organizational Steering Committee submitted a proposal to AORE and WEA to consider sharing the cost and ownership of the journal. AORE and WEA both agreed to the basic idea and preliminary budget and charged the steering committee to continue their efforts and report back to the respective Board of Directors.
Raymond Poff re-contacted the publisher who provided the 2004 quote for a revised estimate. In addition, Raymond approached the Western Kentucky University Research Foundation (WKURF) regarding exploring a business partnership with AORE, WEA, and WKURF to publish the journal. WKU had an existing contract with Berkeley Electronic Press, a publisher dedicated to the dissemination of scholarly content and communication.
The steering-committee decided to recommend working with the WKU Research Foundation who negotiated site space and journal site management for an affordable financial commitment from AORE and WEA. This was the birth of collaborative ownership for the journal and its content.
2006—Raymond Poff and Tammie Stenger-Ramsey spoke with the publishing company approached in 2006 and received a quote which was also considered too high. The AORE Research and Publications Committee drafted a journal proposal. Tammie Stenger-Ramsey suggested contacting the WEA regarding the journal to see if they might want to work on the project with AORE.
Tom Stuessy, on behalf of AORE's Research and Publication Committee, approached the WEA about partnering to create this journal. Discussions followed and the AORE/WEA Joint Organizational Steering Committee for a Journal Proposal was established in September with the following members:
- Eric Frauman, Appalachian State University
- Marni Goldenberg, California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo
- Bruce Martin, Ohio University
- Raymond Poff, Western Kentucky University
- Tom Stuessy, Green Mountain College
- Jackson Wilson, Indiana University
2005—During the 2005 AORE conference in Buffalo, NY, the AORE Research and Publication Committee hosted their first annual AORE Research Symposium. The event was well represented and attended, which rekindled the discussion of the journal. Committee members included: Tom Stuessy, Eric Frauman, Raymond Poff, Tammie Stenger-Ramsey, Steve Guthrie, Kurt Frederick, Jeff Turner, Jim Cain, and T. Jason Davis.
Raymond Poff and Tammie Stenger-Ramsey initiated conversations with another respected published in the field to request a journal publishing quote.
2004—Prior to the annual AORE conference (ICORE) at Montgomery Bell State Park in Tennessee, Raymond Poff (then AORE President and member of AORE Research and Publications Committee) initiated discussions with a respected publication company in the field. A publishing proposal was requested and received from the company prior to the annual conference.
During the 2004 AORE conference the AORE Research and Publication Committee continued earlier dialogues related to the journal and set specific goals to move AORE closer to creating the journal. The 2004-2005 committee included: Raymond Poff, Kelly Bloom, Eric Frauman, Tammie Stenger, Gregor Kay, Jeff Turner, Jay Roberts, Tom Stuessy, Kurt Frederick, Matthew Zuefle, and Matthew Ismert.
The publishing company's proposal was deemed to be too expensive to pursue at the time. Due to the mix of academicians and field-based practitioners affiliated with AORE, the committee discussed how the journal might serve both groups of the association. It was decided that a journal with two distinct types of articles might serve both groups. First, the journal would publish quantitative/qualitative research and theoretical articles. Second, the journal would publish practice-based manuscripts. Both types of submissions would undergo peer reviews to maintain quality.
2003—The journal initiative remained on agenda for the 2003-2004 AORE Research and Publication Committee members: Tammie Stenger, Steve Guthrie, Raymond Poff, Matt Ismert, Kurt Frederick, Kelly Bloom, Jeff Turner, Gregor Kay, and Tom Stuessy.
2002—The journal idea remained on agenda for the 2002-2003 AORE Research and Publication Committee members which included: Christian Bisson, Raymond Poff, Steve Guthrie, Tammie Stenger, Jay Roberts, Tom Stuessy, and Paul Meinersmann.
2001—The AORE Research and Publication Committee was created during the AORE conference (ICORE) held in Pocatello, ID, November, 2001. AORE members for the 2001-2002 committee included: Shawn Elder, Steve Guthrie, Jenny Kafsky, Paul Meinersmann, Nicole Olmeda, Raymond Poff, Jay Roberts, and Lynn Zwaagstra.
One of the goals created by the newly formed committee included researching the feasibility of providing an AORE journal publication. This was to include researching formats, venues, costs, sponsorships, member assessment of refereed vs. edited format, access, distribution, and fees associated with a journal publication.
