Ask yourself these questions…
| If you are interested in using human powered outdoor pursuits to help others learn about the environment, develop trust, confidence, teamwork, problem solving, communication and leadership skills, Adventure Education may be a good choice. If you are eager to embrace the academic pursuits of a good deal of reading, writing, research, and studying to learn the “why” behind the “what”, the theories supporting the action, you’re on the right track. And if you want to expand your intellectual and physical comfort zones (no showers, cell phones, iPods or shopping malls for weeks at a time), this degree program may indeed be a great match for you. | If, however, you want to go camping for credit, and Adventure Education looks attractive because you can get credit for climbing and skiing and being outside, these are not sustaining reasons to choose this academic path. The degree program is also not intended to prepare you to be a guide—a hunting or climbing guide, for example. As with all college courses, you can expect to spend two hours outside of class each week preparing for every hour of class. So, if you enroll in 15 credits, you should plan on spending another 30 hours, for a total of about 45 hours a week, with academics. |
| Adventure educators typically don’t have 8-to-5 jobs. We are often out 24/7. Similarly, many of the Adventure Education field-based courses meet all afternoon, over weekends, over spring break, in May summer session, and at other times that do not match the traditional college schedule. For example, you may have a paddling class or rock climbing class that meets Saturdays and Sundays 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. | You need to show up alert, ready to learn, and practice safety. The immersion/block semester requires your total 24/7 involvement for weeks at a time. This schedule and time commitment may not allow you to participate in an athletic team or hold a part-time job some semesters. |
| Because of the risk management, academic and professional requirements, application to the Adventure Education program includes a minimum grade point average of 2.5 and C+ minimums in your first three Adventure Education courses. | You will need an overall GPA of at least 2.5 to qualify for the Adventure Education Internship your senior year. So, starting your first semester you need to put in the time in class (and some classes occur over weekends and College break periods), in the library, studying at night and completing group projects to get the grades to continue. |
| The Adventure Education Internship has a prerequisite of 60 days of pre-approved, documented leadership/instruction experience. Some of this experience can be accumulated through your courses, including the Practicum, but most of it you will need to derive through summer jobs at a camp or outdoor program. | This leadership/ instruction experience must occur after the student’s matriculation into the Adventure Education program, and does not earn course credit. In most cases previous life experience or work experience cannot be applied to the outdoor leadership/instruction experience prerequisite. |
| We supply group equipment for the courses, such as shelters, cooking gear, first aid kits, climbing ropes, etc. But you will need to supply your own high quality personal gear for all types of weather. Initially, this includes hiking boots, waterproof/breathable rain jacket and pants, gaitors, | Capilene/synthetic middle layer, fleece jacket, water bottles, and other items. Some items like sleeping bags and backpacks can be rented from the College Outdoor Pursuits program, but as a professional adventure educator you will ultimately benefit from purchasing your own personal gear. |
Click on the arrow below to listen to an interview with Adventure Education student, Brittany Meyer.