From Listening and Speaking to Taking Action: Expeditionary Learning Profiles of the Craft of Council and the UPstander Project

Abstract

Expeditionary learning asks much of its participants, especially with regard to facing challenging emotional episodes and translating them into action. At any given point on an educational learning experience or trip, or at whatever stage of cultural adjustment in which participants find themselves, there is a need for creating safe spaces in which everyone can confront challenging experiences, be heard, and take action. This chapter explores two simple structures that helped us build these skills among participants on our various Expedition Inside Culture (EiC) adventures and the flexible ways in which they promoted “communion and communication” (Avery in Traditional Quaker Worship, 2019). Through the “Craft of Council” (Halifax in The Wisdom of Listening. Boston: Wisdom Publications, 2003), we talk about building the skills of listening and speaking while building the skills of taking action.