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 1 | Fireside Program: Articles by Michael Gass, Coordinator of Outdoor Education | |
| Box 1, Folder 2 | Fireside Experience Semester Activities List | |
| Box 1, Folder 3 | Fireside Program: Ways to become involved with Freshman Days | |
| Box 1, Folder 4 | Fireside Scandinavian Adventure Advertisement | |
| Box 1, Folder 5 | Proposal for Fireside role in first year course and orientation staff training proposal | |
| Box 1, Folder 6 | Student Orientation in Wilderness Settings | |
| Box 1, Folder 7 | 1981-1987 | Fireside Program Miscellaneous Newspaper Articles |
| Box 1, Folder 8 | Feb. 1985 - Oct. 1987 | Fireside Miscellaneous Correspondence |
| Box 1, Folder 9 | July 1, 1985 | Letter from Mike Gass to Evelyn Browne concerning Pam McPhee and the changing of the Fireside Program Name |
| Box 1, Folder 10 | Spring 1987 | Family Fireside Day Advertisement |
| Box 1, Folder 11 | Jan. 1991 - April 1991 | Fireside Program Funding Issue Correspondence and News Article |
| Box 1, Folder 12 | Feb. 1991 | Fireside Program: Evelyn Browne Correspondence |
| Box 1, Folder 13 | 1991 | Fireside Program: Summer Orientation Residential Proposal |
| Box 1, Folder 14 | 2002 | Fireside Staff Manual |
| Box 1, Folder 15 | Fireside Staff Manual | |
