Coalition for Education in the Outdoors Seventeenth Biennial Research Symposium
YMCA Blue Ridge Assembly, NC, USA
February 6-8, 2026Call for Abstracts
From February 6-8, 2026 the Seventeenth Biennial Research Symposium of the Coalition for Education in the Outdoors will be held at the YMCA Blue Ridge Assembly Conference Center in Black Mountain, NC, USA. The purpose of this gathering is to advance the empirical, conceptual, and theoretical bases of outdoor education. Like the first sixteen CEO Research Symposia, this symposium will bring together a wide array of researchers to explore current and future trends in using the outdoors for educational purposes. In addition to spotlighting current research, the program includes featured presentations on timely issues and ample time for both structured and informal dialogue. The last symposium which was held in 2024 at the YMCA Blue Ridge Assembly in Black Mountain, NC, USA was well attended and received positive support.
The symposium is purposely small and informal to promote productive interaction. The event draws people interested in adventure education, organized camping, environmental education and interpretation, and other outdoor education contexts. Attendees’ evaluation comments about previous gatherings are a testament to the atmosphere of the conference. People were pleased with the “amazing range of academics,” “all of us together at a very reasonable cost,” and the “passion of all involved.” Because of the diversity of topics, the informal exchanges, and the quality of sessions, this event is a favorite of both well-established and emerging scholars in the field. It’s also affordable. Questions regarding conference logistics or registration can be directed to Andrew Bobilya at abobilya@2ndNatureTREC.com. Registration, lodging, and travel details will be available soon at the CEO Website and under “Events” at www.2ndNatureTREC.com.
Persons wishing to present (oral and/or poster) at the symposium must submit an electronic copy of their abstract (not to exceed 2 single-spaced pages; references only may extend onto a third page; 12 pt Times New Roman preferred) addressing the background, methods, results, and discussion of the study (authors of conceptual papers may use other headings). Authors are encouraged to utilize and identify the theoretical framework for their studies. It is expected that presentations at the CEO symposium will not have been previously published or presented elsewhere. Abstracts that ask the same questions, use the same analyses, and make the same logical arguments should not be presented at the CEO symposium. Abstracts of works in progress may be submitted provided that a full report can be given at the symposium. Abstracts are due via email to bfaircloth@2ndNatureTREC.com by September 1, 2025.
All abstracts will be blind critiqued and evaluated by three reviewers. Notification of acceptance will follow on or around October 15, 2025. Individuals whose abstracts are accepted will be expected to present their study in person at the symposium. Abstracts of all presentations will be compiled and bound for dissemination at the symposium and via the CEO website. Previous symposia abstracts and issues of Research in Outdoor Education can be viewed at CEO Website. Questions about the submission or review process for symposium abstracts can be directed to Dr. Brad Faircloth at bfaircloth@2ndNatureTREC.com, review coordinator for CEO Research Symposium 2026. Authors of accepted abstracts are encouraged to submit full manuscripts to a CEO Special Issue of the refereed journal, Journal of Outdoor Recreation, Education and Leadership (JOREL) to be published in late 2026 or early 2027.
Submission timeline
- September 1, 2025 Deadline for submission of abstracts
- October 15, 2025 Notification of acceptance/rejection
- November 15, 2025 Revised abstracts submitted for binding and distribution at symposium
- February 6-8, 2026 Research Symposium (15-minute presentations and/or poster presentations)
- TBD Optional manuscript Submission to the JOREL
- TBD Accepted manuscripts submitted for copy editing
- TBD JOREL Special Issue Published
How to submit abstract
- Send e-mail attachment in MS Word.
- Use lead author’s name as document file name (e.g., SMITH.doc).
- Put “CEO Abstract -
” in “subject line” of email message. In body of email message include… Preference for oral report or poster presentation or whether you would be open to either one. Full title of the abstract. Names, affiliations, mailing addresses, phone numbers, and email addresses of all authors.
Send abstract to bfaircloth@2ndNatureTREC.com