About the White Water Institute

The White Water Institute (W²I) uses the river as a “living” metaphor to advance systems thinking and create communities of learning and action.

The Institute is based on years of collaborative study resulting in the well-known and highly-respected three-book series by Dr. Ruth Stiehl (Oregon State University) and Dr. Les Lewchuk (Kwantlen University College, British Columbia). Written for community and technical colleges but applicable to other audiences as well, these texts show how:

• “Real-life” life outcomes reshape instructional and organizational systems (The Outcomes Primer, 2008).
• A learner’s journey is a series of connected and carefully crafted learning experiences (The Mapping Primer, 2005).
• Re-evaluation is created using a flow of evidence (The Assessment Primer, 2008).

The primary activity of the Institute is a series of four-day summer rafting/workshops on the Deschutes River in Maupin, Oregon. These highly engaging sessions help restore energy for learning and challenge participants by combining interactive learning with actual river rafting experiences. Participants leave with renewed energy, new skills and practiced proficiencies in the outcomes respective to the various session themes.