Fireside Experience Program Files, 1981-2002

Collection number: UA 11/3/2
Size: 1 box (0.33 cu.ft.)

About the Department of Kinesiology Fireside Experience Program

The Fireside Experience Program was developed by Dan Carvey, Assistant Dean of Students, Nancy Cray, Residential Hall Director, and others. Its development came from a series of initiatives created by Dan as part of his role with the Student Affairs Office aimed to enhance student learning outside of the classroom and prevent irresponsible drinking on campus. Fireside was founded on six principles: providing a co-learning environment for faculty and students, encourage responsible behavior among groups, offering vigorous learning environments to the university community, using wilderness settings to study gender roles, provide nonalcoholic programs on weekends, provide experience to learn leadership skills. Michael Gass was hired to develop an Outdoor Education Program and was consequently placed as academic advisor in the Fireside Program in the Fall of 1981. Bob Flight was put in charge of running the program. The first Summer Fireside Experience occurred in the fall of 1982 and the design of the Fireside Program was based on a similar one called Project Marj, at Towson State, developed by Craig Dobkin. In 1982 Bill Cuff became Director of the Fireside Program. By 1983 the program began to evolve to target 6 retention objectives: develop meaningful peer relations, promote positive interactions between students and faculty, focus on student career options, increase interest in academics, preparation for college, and augment compatibility between university environment and student expectations. By 1985 Bill Cuff left and Pam McPhee was asked to join the Outdoor Education Program. The Fireside Program overall, is an adventure based program that uses the outdoors to engage participants in activities that target decision making skills, self-confidence and responsibility while creating a sense of community between staff and students.

About the Fireside Experience Program Files

This series contains various papers and correspondence concerning the Fireside Program, as well as research information from Michael Gass, Coordinator of Outdoor Education. Most of the correspondence deals with the funding issue the program underwent when it was discussed that the program be cut from the University's budget, including letters from Evelyn Browne concerning the Fireside program.

Administrative Information

Access Restrictions

This collection is open.

Copyright Notice

Copyright is retained by the University of New Hampshire.

Preferred Citation

[Identification of item], Fireside Experience Program Files, 1981-2002, UA 11/3/2, Milne Special Collections and Archives, University of New Hampshire Library, Durham, NH, USA.

Acquisitions Information

These records were compiled from several sources.

Collection Contents

Box 1
Box 1, Folder 1Fireside Program: Articles by Michael Gass, Coordinator of Outdoor Education
Box 1, Folder 2Fireside Experience Semester Activities List
Box 1, Folder 3Fireside Program: Ways to become involved with Freshman Days
Box 1, Folder 4Fireside Scandinavian Adventure Advertisement
Box 1, Folder 5Proposal for Fireside role in first year course and orientation staff training proposal
Box 1, Folder 6Student Orientation in Wilderness Settings
Box 1, Folder 71981-1987Fireside Program Miscellaneous Newspaper Articles
Box 1, Folder 8Feb. 1985 - Oct. 1987Fireside Miscellaneous Correspondence
Box 1, Folder 9July 1, 1985Letter from Mike Gass to Evelyn Browne concerning Pam McPhee and the changing of the Fireside Program Name
Box 1, Folder 10Spring 1987Family Fireside Day Advertisement
Box 1, Folder 11Jan. 1991 - April 1991Fireside Program Funding Issue Correspondence and News Article
Box 1, Folder 12Feb. 1991Fireside Program: Evelyn Browne Correspondence
Box 1, Folder 131991Fireside Program: Summer Orientation Residential Proposal
Box 1, Folder 142002Fireside Staff Manual
Box 1, Folder 15Fireside Staff Manual
Collection

Formats

Letters & Postcards
Manuscripts & Typescripts
Minutes & Reports
University Financials