Tentative Schedule for the 2022 ATRA Annual Conference (subject to change)
A New Outdoor Cooperative Adventure Game for Personal Empowerment
Session Description/Research Abstract
In this experiential/interactive session you will be part of a team playing “Missions and Madness” an empowering outdoor cooperative adventure game that retains the fun and engagement of sports without the divisiveness of competition. It’s part scavenger hunt, part Dungeons and Dragons, and part boot camp. Players roll dice to discover their mission which could be anything from being chased by zombies or stalked by dinosaurs and where to go from a list of local sites. The team must get to the location within a time limit while performing various physical activities and puzzles along the way. Team members help each other accomplish the mission by asking for support and using their personal strengths as needed. “Missions and Madness” is fun and challenging, yet not overwhelming.
“Missions and Madness” can act as a supervised group activity or players can run a game themselves from the comprehensive instruction material. Either way, the adventure writes itself through randomization and creative fun scenarios. “Missions and Madness” can be an important part of any recreational therapy treatment plan because of easy set-up and operation, firm but flexible procedural structure, and an exceptional level of player engagement and a sense of fun. “Missions and Madness” has been carefully designed to be accessible and easily modified to suit any population.
“Missions and Madness” can ease clients out of social isolation. It can provide gentle leadership opportunities. It supports life-skills like navigation, negotiation, and communication. It even provides the sense of camaraderie and purpose that veterans often complain of missing after transitioning to civilian life.
A game of “Missions and Madness” is played within a defined outdoor area, cultivates careful observation through memory games, easily integrates players from various backgrounds with various skills and needs, and gives every player a chance to lead the team through a set of challenges.
ACON2022 Convention attendees will play “Missions and Madness” while they explore nearby Birmingham and experience first-hand the dynamic benefits of this innovative, cooperative adventure game. PLEASE DRESS FOR OUTDOOR ACTIVITY.
Primary Presenter
Morgan W. Boatman, Winter Communication, LLC
Credentials
BS
Biographical Information
Morgan has a lifelong interest in personal fitness. He has a black belt in kung fu and has years of experience as a martial arts instructor to children, adolescents, and adults. The essence of Morgan’s martial coaching technique is to encourage excellence from within.
Morgan has also trained extensively with the GORUCK organization, operated by former US Special Forces personnel. GORUCK training focuses on intense military-style survival, leadership, and teamwork skills. For ten years Morgan has maintained an official GORUCK training group in Flagstaff.
The inspiration for “Missions and Madness” came from the need to develop a less intense and less demanding activity that retained the cooperative, skill-based, and engaging aspects of GORUCK and kung fu that was fun to do every weekend with friends. Morgan has played “Missions and Madness” with many different populations including outdoor clubs, ROTC students, and average men and women from 15 to 55 years old.
Morgan is a film and television professional working in Los Angeles living in Flagstaff, Arizona. He uses his unique skills to lead large crews under deadlines to achieve demanding goals for big productions featuring various well-known artists such as Katy Perry and Chris Hemsworth.
Morgan has successfully distilled his extensive experience as a martial arts instructor and adventurer into the creation of “Missions and Madness,” a cooperative outdoor game that empowers individuals and groups by building leaders, teaching communication, instilling confidence, and giving participants the chance to feel the power of internalizing a deep sense of purpose.
Head Shot
boatmanheadshot002.jpg
Co-Presenter/panelists
Susan Purrington, Welcomed Here, LLC/ Northern Arizona University
Credentials
PhD, CTRS
Biographical Information
Susan Purrington, PhD, CTRS is the Owner and Executive Director of Welcomed Here, LLC - a non-profit organization dedicated to enhancing the inclusive customer experience. She is also an Assistant Professor of Practice of Parks and Recreation Management at Northern Arizona University. Susan has been helping recreation professionals use social media as a means to engage with a broader audience through campaign design for the past seven years. She has a passion for advocating for the profession and the populations served through Recreational Therapy.
Susan has previously taught in therapeutic recreation and parks and recreation management at Douglas College in British Columbia, Canada, SUNY Cortland in Cortland, NY, Indiana University in Bloomington, IN, and California State University, Chico in Chico, CA. Further, she has been providing leisure counseling to individuals from all backgrounds and abilities for the past 14 years.