E ducation for Character Reality Television: Altering Participants’ Expectations of Adventure Programs by Kevin Lindner Have you ever felt that when explaining adventure through others. The show adventure programming to people they have produced activities that people watched, a different understanding and expectations activities in which groups had to work than the context you are trying to convey? together to survive. Those images stand out Over the past few years, there has been a for many individuals when they hear they are growing appreciation of group dynamics going to participate in an adventure-based programs within schools and companies learning program. — a fantastic opportunity for the adventure programming fi eld. When people come to Due to the wide popularity of SSSuuurrrvvviiivvvooorrr,, us, however, their expectations may be quite television companies quickly developed different from ours: their expectations may be other reality shows like The Amazing Race based on what they have seen on television, and Fear Factorthat use “ordinary” people perhaps informed by their favourite program, to show how groups can work towards a such as Survivor. common goal. With the growing popularity of these competitive challenge reality After working in many adventure programs shows, companies, classroom teachers, and where I heard comments such as “We’re community and youth group leaders have not going to be doing that stuff they do on seen the types of activities these shows SSSuuurrrvvviiivvvooorrr oorr FFFeeeaaarrr FFFaaaccctttooorrr,, are we?” or “Who is produce and feel that this is the way to bring going to be the fi rst one kicked off the island their group together. When individuals hear today?” or “This is nothing compared to the they are going to participate in an adventure stuff on The Amazing Race. When do we get program, their expectations of our programs to do that stuff?”, I decided to try to fi nd out may be based on the various reality television why people have these thoughts and images programs that they may have watched or and how it effects what we do with groups heard about. when they come for an adventure education program. For some individuals, the chance to participate in an adventure program focused I learned that reality television has been on group building is exciting. Participants around for many years; it was fi rst in the have seen challenging activities on some form of pageants or game shows (Anderson, of the reality shows, feel exhilarated and 2007). Then in 2000, a show by the name of excited by the opportunity to participate SSSuuurrrvvviiivvvooorrr wwaass iinnttrroodduucceedd:: tthhiiss sshhooww bbrroouugghhtt in these tasks and expect to ultimately fi nd 16 individuals to a deserted island where them thrilling. From my experience, I have they were divided into two teams. Teams found that when these types of individuals and then individuals competed against each arrive at the adventure education program, other in hopes of winning the grand prize of they are the ones who are extremely excited, S Y $1 million. Each week someone was voted who are ready for anything, and who want A off the island. I found out that the show’s to get right into things without any context- W H premiere had 15 million viewers and grew to setting, framing or refl ection. They tend to T A 51.7 million viewers for the fi nale (Anderson, be the ones who want to be the fi rst people P 2007). SSSuuurrrvvviiivvvooorrr bbeeccaammee aa ccuullttuurraall eevveenntt tthhaatt to participate in an activity or to take the 5 provided a way for viewers to experience lead in an initiative task. Unfortunately for Education for Character some adventure program leaders, many For instance, a show like Fear Factorfocuses of these participants become bored with on personal growth and motivation, as the activities as they are not meeting the participants try to conquer fears by taking expectations that these excited participants risks they avoid in their daily lives. The show had when they arrived. They were hoping to The Amazing Race tries to focus on partners have more “thrilling” experiences instead of and their relationships together. The pairs taking part in a program designed to foster participate in challenging activities that they an understanding of the process taking place would never have the opportunity to engage within a group. The reality television shows in under other circumstances. Many of these have affected this type of individual who activities are culturally based due to the travel tends to be (and remains) disinterested in that happens on the show. Lastly, the show refl ecting on the group process and wants SSSuuurrrvvviiivvvooorrr aaiimmss ttoo tteeaacchh ppaarrttiicciippaannttss ttoo wwoorrkk to focus solely on the accomplishment of with new people in novel and challenging numerous exciting tasks instead. environments and to leverage the strength of each member within the group to achieve On the other hand, some individuals may be success. reluctant to come to the adventure program as they have watched these different activities Within these reality television themes, on television and have developed a sense participants learn many things about each of nervousness or anxiety before even other and each show ends the same way: reaching the program site or seeing the actual with the award of a monetary prize. Each activities planned for their adventure-based show gives the viewer a different perspective learning experience. I have found that these regarding what is considered successful and individuals want to know what is happening how to apply successful behaviours to reach before coming to the adventure education an ultimate goal. I have found that using program and want to have a very clear idea of these shows in designing adventure programs the program’s activities. They have seen what is an intriguing way to develop group happens on the television shows and don’t behaviours. At the same time, it is important want to let their team down if they cannot to make sure that the participants understand perform a certain task. All of these thoughts the expectations of adventure-based learning run through their heads before and sometimes programs, which are not just about winning even during an activity. Many of them have a prize. I have utilized some of the themes seen the results of not being able to perform that reality television shows have provided, a task or voicing a concern on television — it but change the activities to stress cooperation usually equates to being eliminated from the and growth instead of competition and group or group members being disappointed negative group responses. I found that it was in you. I have found these participants have a important for me to apply these themes in tendency to be quiet and not want to actively some adventure program settings to create engage in the challenge either physically or that sense of excitement for the individuals verbally since they don’t want to be known as who need it, while at the same time try to “that” person. ensure that everyone would feel comfortable participating in the activities. As you can see, there are two extremes on S Y a continuum of how reality television can Ultimately, reality television has A W affect a person’s expectations and perception demonstrated many ways in which people H of adventure programming before even can grow as individuals and groups in unique T A arriving and participating in an activity. I situations. When using these reality show P have found that different reality shows have themes in adventure programming, I have 6 different goals in mind for the participants. found that at the end of the day it is truly Education for Character important that all participants have a clear References understanding of the expectations of each individual in our programs through our Anderson, K. (2007, December 1). Has reality common language and explanations of the TV fi nally run its course? Realscreen programs. Reality shows have become a form Magazine. Retrieved December 15, 2007, of television programming that will be around from www.realscreen.com/articles/ for many years. In addition, reality television magazine/20071201/page13.html will probably take on different forms in the years to come. Consequently, we must make sure that every participant has a clear Kevin Lindner worked as an Outdoor Education understanding of what will be happening Program Director in Ontario for fi ve years. He is in an adventure education program, so that currently working as a Senior Consultant with their reality television-based expectations do Adventureworks! Associates Inc. and teaches not overtake the outcomes that we ultimately a course in Small Group Communications at want to achieve: the development of groups Conestoga College. and the personal growth of every individual. y S Horsle WAY h H a ar T S A dit: P e cr 7 Art