In Loving Memory of Karl E. Rohnke

(1937 – 2020)
A Trailblazer in Adventure & Experiential Education

A Legacy of Play, Challenge & Growth

Karl Rohnke was not just an educator, he was a visionary who transformed how we learn, connect, and grow through play and challenge. As a co-founder of Project Adventure in the early 1970s, he pioneered new pathways for experiential learning that continue to inspire educators, coaches, and peace-builders around the world.

Harnessing his passion for the outdoors and teams, Karl co-founded the High 5 Adventure Learning Center in Vermont and served as director and president of Project Adventure until 1996, championing creativity, leadership, and transformative play throughout every stage of life.

Fun as a Path to Peace

Karl lived by the belief that laughter and play unlock profound learning. He coined concepts like FUNN (“Functional Understanding Not Necessary”) and Challenge by Choice, creating an environment where participants freely choose their level of risk—and in doing so, learn more deeply and empathetically.

His books—Cowstails and Cobras, Silver Bullets, Quicksilver, The Bottomless Bag, and many more, became indispensable tools for facilitators and educators globally. In these pages, Karl wove together imagination, trust, and transformation into a joyful blueprint for experiential education.

A Life of Courage, Connection, and Compassion

Karl’s journey began with a B.S. in Biology from Washington & Lee University in 1960, followed by his service in the U.S. Army. He soon immersed himself in outdoor education—from hurricane Island to North Carolina Outward Bound, before leading innovations at Project Adventure and beyond

His pioneering spirit earned him the Association for Experiential Education’s Stratton Practitioner’s Award in 1990, along with numerous tributes from the global adventure education community.

Karl continued to travel the world, offering workshops, igniting imaginations, and sharing his playful wisdom until his passing from Lewy Body Dementia in 2020. Even in his final years, his relentless joy and creativity remained a guiding light.

A Space to Remember & Reflect

You’re invited to honor Karl’s life by sharing your memories:

• A moment when one of his games or activities sparked connection or healing.

• An insight from his books that reshaped how you teach, learn, or play.

• A playful or profound experience he led that still brings a smile.

Each story you share helps keep Karl’s spirit of joy, challenge, and peace alive in communities everywhere.

Carrying Forward the Spirit of Play for Peace

Karl Rohnke taught us that peace isn’t just a concept—it’s practiced through laughter, courage, and compassionate engagement. Through the legacy he built, we learn that every challenge embraced, every game shared, and every barrier dissolved brings us closer to our better selves.