Many educational and adventure programs are designed with a “sustainable” theme, but the reality of execution often tells a different story. Those involved in designing, delivering, or facilitating programs frequently face complex decisions, balancing participant expectations, operational realities, and the needs of local communities and the environment.

In this session, participants will experience these tensions firsthand through a short, interactive game that highlights the impact of individual choices within a system. The session then moves into a reflection on real-world sustainability projects, sharing insights from the organization’s experiences in designing and delivering programs with meaningful environmental and social goals.

Through participatory exercises, storytelling, and guided discussion, participants will have the opportunity to notice patterns in decision-making and reflect on the tensions that arise in practice. The session is designed to provoke thought, spark discussion, and invite participants to engage with the complexities of sustainability in their own contexts.

Rather than offering definitive answers, the session encourages curiosity, reflection, and dialogue, leaving space for each participant to consider what the “ugly truths” of sustainable program design might mean for them.