Panel Topics
OFFSEAS 2026 returns with the theme: Out There Together! Building Sustainable Programs for All. These panels will take place during the main conference (25-26 April), simultaneous with the breakout sessions.
Read more about the OFFSEAS 2026 theme HERE.
Sustainability and Stewardship
Building to Last: Pillars of Sustainable Outdoor Education Programming
True sustainability in outdoor education extends beyond “leave no trace” to include financial viability and deep community integration. This panel will explore how to build programs that endure.
Pedagogy and Programming
The Outdoors and Mental Health
A panel exploring nature’s impact on mental health. They would discuss program designs that specifically target anxiety, build resilience through managed risk.
Equipment and Technology
Technology and the Outdoors: Finding Balance
Navigating the intersection of technology and nature, exploring how to use tech to enhance but not detract from outdoor experiences.
Belonging and Inclusion
Designing for All: The Principles of Universal Design in Outdoor Adventure
A panel of adaptive adventure specialists, gear designers, and program leaders discussing how to redesign activities, equipment, and facilities from the ground up to be accessible to people with a wide range of physical, sensory, and cognitive abilities.
Careers in the Outdoors
What Skills Will Define the Next Generation of Outdoor Leaders?
Looking ahead, this panel would discuss the evolving skill set—from tech literacy and cultural competency to facilitation and mental health first aid—that will be required for outdoor educators to thrive and be effective in the coming decade.
