Thayer Raines: Green Mountain College

Thayer Raines Re.D.

Professor of Recreation and Outdoor Studies
Program Director, Youth Development & Camp Management

Moses Hall 008
One Brennan Circle
Poultney, VT 05764-1199
Email: rainest@greenmtn.edu
802-287-8324; Fax: 802-287-8080

"For professional studies in the outdoors, Green Mountain College offers the best opportunity for students to develop their leadership skills as a recreation provider while gaining a deep understanding of the environment in which they will live, work, and play. These are essential ingredients for not only the development of successful outdoor leaders but also the creation of sustainable recreation opportunities."

Since his arrival at Green Mountain College in 1992, Dr. Raines has been dedicated to the development of curriculum related to the outdoors. As a founding member of the Environmental Studies Committee he was instrumental in the development of the environmental studies minor introduced in 1994, and the environmental studies major in 1995. He introduced the adventure recreation minor to the college in 1996 and the major in adventure recreation in 1997. Research interests are focused on the effects of outdoor recreation/ education, adventure programming, and residential learning experiences on participant self-concept, emotion, and physical status. His favorite outside activity is Roaring Brook Camp in Bradford, Vermont, which he has co-owned and directed since 1985.

For recreation Thayer competes in ski-archery (Former New England Champion/ National Champion 1997) as a classic skier with a recurve bow and ski-orienteering. He enjoys racing as a member of the New England Nordic Skiing Association and occasionally jumps out of perfectly good airplanes for fun.

Education
B.S., Major: Elementary Education, Minor: Social Science, West Chester State University, 1974.
M.S., Major: Recreation and Parks, Minor: Environmental Education, The Pennsylvania State University, 1981.
Re.D., Major: Recreation and Parks, Minor: School Administration, Indiana University, 1985.
Dissertation title: The effect of the adventure activity of rappelling on the Palmar sweat and state anxiety of fifth grade pupils under student-centered leadership.

Selected Courses Taught
Green Mountain College
Department of Recreation and Leisure Studies: Associate Professor (1992-1997), Professor (1997).

Cleveland State University
College of Education, Department of Health, Physical Education, and Recreation: Assistant Professor, Coordinator of Recreation Programs and Co-Coordinator of Sports Management Programs (1985-1992). Admitted to Graduate Faculty 1990.

Akron University
College of Health, Physical Education, and Recreation; Department of Physical Education: Instructor (1984-85).

Kent State University
College of Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance; Department of Physical Education: Instructor (1983-85).

Selected Professional Experience
Roaring Brook Camp; Bradford, Vermont: President and Co-Director (2005-present).

Challenge Wilderness Camp, Inc.; Bradford, Vermont: President and Co-Director (1986-2004).

Adirondack Woodcraft Camps, Inc.; Old Forge, New York: Unit Director (1984)

Bradford Woods Outdoor Education, Recreation, and Camping Center; Martinsville, Indiana: Instructor (1981-83).

Outdoor Biological Instructional Strategies (OBIS) Instructor, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania (1980).

Professional Service

The American Red Cross
Water Safety Instructor (1978-present)
Lifeguard Training Instructor (1992-present)
Lifeguarding/Waterfront Instructor (Current)
Lifeguarding/Waterpark Instructor (Current)
Lay Responder First Aid and CPR/AED Instructor (1990-present)
CPR/AED for the Professional Rescuer Instructor (2006-present)
Fundamentals of Canoeing Instructor (1983-2000)
Basic River Canoeing Instructor (1983-2000)
Fundamentals of Kayaking Instructor (1987-2000)
Responding to Emergencies Instructor (1991-2006)
Water Safety Instructor Trainer (1999-2003)
Fundamentals of Canoeing Instructor Trainer (2002-2005)
Basic River Canoeing Instructor Trainer (2002-2005)
Fundamentals of Canoeing Instructor Trainer (2002-2005)
Fundamentals of Kayaking Instructor Trainer (2002-2005)

American Camping Association
Outdoor Living Skills Instructor Trainer (1987-2003)

American Canoe Association
Level II River Canoe Instructor Trainer (2002-present)
Level II River Kayak Instructor Trainer (2002-present)
Level II River Canoe Instructor (2003-present)
Level II River Kayak Instructor (2003-present)

Leave No Trace, Inc.
Leave No Trace Master Educator (2002-present)
Leave No Trace Master Educator Instructor (2007- Present)

National Ski Patrol System
National Mountain Travel & Rescue Instructor (1986-present)
Avalanche Instructor – Level 1 (1986-present)
Outdoor Emergency Care Technician Instructor (1995-present)
Nordic Ski & Toboggan Tester & Trainer (1979-2007)
Mountain Travel & Rescue Instructor Trainer (2001-2007)

National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians
Emergency Medical Technician – Basic (1979-present)

Pennsylvania Department of Education
Professional (Permanent) Certification K-8 Elementary Education & K-8 Environmental Education (1981)

Professional Ski Instructors of America
Nordic Track/Skate Certified Level 1 Instructor (1999-present)
Nordic Downhill Certified Level 1 Instructor (2003-present)

Project Adventure, Inc.
Advanced Skills and Standards for Ropes Course Managers (1995, 2000)
Practitioner Certification Challenge Course Technician Level 1 (2003)
Adventure Program Management: Critical Knowledge for the Challenge Course Manager (2007)
Practitioner Certification Challenge Course Facilitator Level 2 (2009)
State of Maine, Department of Inland Fisheries and Waterways
Trip Leader Instructor (1981-present)
Stonehearth Outdoor Learning Opportunities (SOLO)
Wilderness Emergency Medical Technician (2009)
Wilderness Education Association Instructor (2004-Present)

Selected Organizational Memberships

American Camp Association (1980-present)

Vermont Camp Association (1985-present)
Board of Directors (1993-present)
Winter Meeting Host (1997-2009)

American Canoe Association (1991-present)

Safety, Education, and Instruction Committee (1993-2002)
Basic Instruction Subcommittee Chair (1997-2000)
Strategic Planning Coordinator (1997-1998)
Board of Directors (2001-2002)

National Ski Patrol System (1978-present)

Nordic Patroller (1978-present), Senior Nordic (1979)
Alpine Patroller (1981-present), Senior Alpine (1983)
National Patroller (1986-present)
Mt. Washington Volunteer Ski Patrol Member (1993-present)
Viking Ski Touring Center Ski Patrol Member (1993-present)

Selected Presentations, Workshops and Clinics
Raines, J. Thayer, & Hobbs, W. (November, 2008). Greening your outdoor recreation program. Paper presented to the National Conference of the Association of Outdoor Recreation and Education, Asheville, NC.

Raines, J. Thayer, Saxman, B., & Stuessy, T. (November, 2007). Bridging the Gap: Integrating Academic and Recreation Adventure Programs. Paper presented to the National Conference of the Association of Outdoor Recreation and Education, Boise, ID.

Raines, J. Thayer, Stuessy, T. & Mantia, J. (February, 2006). Planning by Committee: A New Zealand Experience with Undergraduates. Paper presented to the National Conference on Outdoor Leadership of the Wilderness Education Association, Bradford Woods, IN.

Raines, J. Thayer (October 2004). Exploring the Possibilities of Outdoor Emergency Care. Paper presented to the International Conference on Outdoor Recreation and Education, Nashville, TN

Research and Scholarly Activities
Recent scholarly activities have been directed toward the development and marketing of a new major and implementation of a new general education program at Green Mountain College. The bachelor of science degree in youth development & camp management (YDCM) was created in the spring of 2007 with significant revisions in the spring of 2008. Two new courses were developed to support the YDCM program. A new course titled “Ecological Connections in the Pursuit of Adventure” was developed spring 2009 to support the newly revised Environment Liberal Arts distribution courses of the general education program. The adventure recreation major (B.S.) finished its thirteenth year in the spring of 2009. It has been thoroughly revised and given a new name (adventure education) under new leadership. The research interests are focused on the effects of outdoor recreation/ education, adventure programming, and residential learning experiences on participant self-concept, emotion, and physical status.

Published Works:
Raines, J.T. (1987). The effect of the adventure activity of rappelling on the palmar sweat and state anxiety of fifth grade pupils under student-centered leadership. Eugene, OR: University of Oregon. (Microform Publications No. BF723.A5 155.412)

Selected Journal Articles:
Sparks, K. & Raines, J.T. (Summer, 1993).New careers in physical education. Future Focus. Dublin, Ohio: Ohio Association of HPERD.
Raines, J. Thayer (November/December, 1992). A place to share: Camp is a growing place; Christian's story. Camping Magazine. p. 34 & 35.
Raines, J. Thayer (Fall/Winter, 1992). Truisms. Future Focus. Dublin, Ohio: Ohio Association of HPERD.

Book Chapters:
Smith, R. V. & Raines, J. T. (1991). Recreation. Economic Development Atlas of Northeastern Ohio. Akron, OH: Akron University Press. (Solicited work.)
Raines, J.T. & Mason, D.W. (1993). Paddlesport: Canoeing & kayaking. Camp boating: Program and curriculum guidelines. Porter, L.J. (Ed.). Martinsville, IN: American Camping Association. (Solicited work.)