Rick Curtis '79, Director of Outdoor Action, has been named the 2022 recipient of the Michael Stratton Practitioner's Award.  The award, bestowed by the Association for Experiential Education (AEE), "honors an experiential practitioner who has exhibited consistently high levels of performance in working directly with students, participants, clients, etc. This person's work demonstrates that a practitioner can bring about significant change and impact in the lives of people in their program."  Previously, Rick was the 1997 recipient of the AAE's Servant Leader Award.

From time spent as a trip leader in the Outdoor Action Program as an undergraduate, before returning to Princeton to lead the program in 1981, Rick has served as Director for over forty years.  Under his leadership, the program has expanded, with thousands of students participating in small group experiences and leadership development.  A leader in the field, Rick has broadly shared information and his knowledge with other professionals, as well as authored a book, "The Backpacker's Field Manual."

Of the award, Rick shared that he knows many past recipients, adding "that they have been influential in the field and mentors for me throughout my career," and "it's a great honor to be in in that company."

For more about the award and the AEE, please visit this link.