CORE COURSES Introduction to Recreation & Outdoor Services (REC 1000) This is the introductory course to the professional field of recreation and outdoor studies. Particular attention will be given to the historical foundations of leisure, recreation, and play; life cycle and leisure participation; the emergence of outdoor recreation in American and global society; the roles of public (federal, state, and local) and private (for- and not-for-profit) providers of outdoor recreation; current issues and trends in the field; and career opportunities and professionalism. This course serves as a prerequisite to REC 2033, 2027, 2062, 2063 & 4053 Internship. 3 credits. Management of Outdoor & Adventure Programs (REC 4010) This course examines the management of outdoor and adventure programs including staff hiring, training, supervision, assessment, and personnel issues, certification, scheduling, budgeting, risk management, insurance, marketing, logistical planning, strategic planning, public policy and access and permitting. Prerequisite: Junior standing or permission of the instructor. 3 credits. Recreation Seminar (REC 4051) This course examines the contemporary professional landscape of adventure programming, youth development and camps. Among the various topics to be discussed are professional philosophy, ethics and practical application of research. Students will be encouraged to re-examine and articulate their professional philosophy and develop a plan of action relative to their career goals post internship. In addition, students will utilize technical writing, presentation, and audiovisual techniques to illustrate and articulate research and professional philosophies. Prerequisite: Senior standing or permission of the instructor. 3 credits. Internship in Adventure Recreation or Youth Development & Camp Management (REC 4053) Internship serves as the culmination of professional training and course work. Minimum of 10 weeks and 400 hours of professional level work under direct supervision of a qualified professional is required. The cost of a 9-12 credit internship is the tuition charge for the academic year in which the internship is completed. Prerequisite: Vary according to specific degree requirements (consult Internship Manual for further details), or permission of instructor. Prerequisites: Academic good standing (not on academic probation); minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5 in all Recreation Major courses. PROFESSIONAL EMPHASIS COURSES Outdoor Living Skills (REC 1041) This course is designed to introduce students to the fundamental outdoor skills necessary for outdoor programming. Topics include, but are not limited to: navigation, food and equipment systems, trip planning, clothing and self-assessment. Students will also learn the outdoor skills required to safely use the natural environment for outdoor programming while minimizing human impact. Prerequisite: REC 1000 Introduction to Recreation and Outdoor Studies or permission of instructor. (Requires an additional course fee.) 3 credits. Outdoor Program Design and Instruction (REC 2027) Creating safe and effective adventurous experiences is the result of a professional outdoor educator intentionally incorporating a multitude of programming dimensions into each experience. This classroom based course will encourage students to engage with dimensions including: activity anatomy, blocking & nesting, teaching progressions, briefing/debriefing, levels of competency, managing stationary and moving sites as well as making assessments of risk, site and participant performance. Foundations of Adventure (REC 2033) This course thoroughly examines the growth and development of adventure education and recreation throughout history. Contemporary and future trends of participant patterns, outcomes/benefits and major providers of adventure and outdoor programming are studied. Models, theories, frameworks and research findings are incorporated during a survey of salient literature relative to adventure programming. Students are encouraged to begin examining potential career tracks during this course so that future academic endeavors can be beneficial long term. 3 credits. Outdoor Leadership Practicum (REC 2062) Utilizing the content learned in REC. 2027, this course focuses on outdoor, educational & human skill integration in an intensive field-based expedition. In this field-based course, students will engage with a critical self-assessment process to better understand their own levels of competence and learn how to effectively build and assess structured learning experiences, manage risk, develop incident reporting systems and effectively manage the sites chosen for instruction during field-based programs. 3 credits. Adventure Group Processing and Facilitation (REC 2063) This course addresses the need for the student and future practitioner to understand and demonstrate the ability to integrate applied social-psychological theory and effective group facilitation practices while using adventure-based activities. This field-based course highlights the major impact that facilitators have on both groups and individuals. Effective adventure educators are trained to ensure that the lessons of adventure transfer into everyday lives. The course will emphasize the stages of group development, peer mediation, briefing/debriefing and transference in field-based settings. 3 credits. Human Dimensions of Outdoor Leadership (REC 3062) The primary purpose of this course is for students to build a foundation of self-assured and effective leadership skills and philosophy. The building blocks of this foundation are gathered during field portions of the major that take place prior to this classroom-based course. Students will examine their own thoughts on leadership on their way to developing a newly defined definition of leadership, which will encourage a consistent way of being and professional progress. This course will closely examine leadership theories, human development and models of leadership relative to adventure education instruction, and incorporate critical thinking and its impact on leadership. Ecological Connections in Adventure Programming (REC 3064) The pressure on wild and natural lands from recreation pursuits has long been recognized by recreation providers and has prompted most to proactively reduce their ecological footprint. Programs have further recognized the opportunity and responsibility to educate and connect participants to the natural systems in action all around them. This course examines topics such as environmentally responsible behavior, place attachment, and practical strategies for helping participants discover the human connections to the natural world during adventurous experiences. Public and private land access and permitting issues will also be covered. 3 credits. Field Leadership Seminar (REC 3066) This course serves as the culmination of core skill set integration among students. During a 21 day field experience, students are afforded an opportunity to illustrate highly effective adventure education leadership abilities. The course's expedition is sanctioned by the Wilderness Education Association (WEA) and provides an opportunity for students to earn the WEA Outdoor Leader Certification. Typically on the east coast, this course takes advantage of climbing and mountain biking areas, rivers and the most beautiful trails in the east. MEDICAL CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS Students majoring in adventure education are required to earn one of the following medical certifications prior to internship. Wilderness First Responder (REC 2315) Wilderness First Responder is the long standing industry standard for those seeking a career path that will take place in areas wherein definitive medical care is more than an hour away. It is a certification course offered by Wilderness Medical Associates (WMA), Wilderness Medicine Institute (WMI), and Wilderness Medicine Training Center (WMTC) among others. It is a 72 (WMA) to 80 (WMI/WMTC) contact hour course. It includes an American Heart Association Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) Certification at the Adult Heartsaver Level (WMI / 3 hours) or Health Care Provider Level (WMA / 6-8 hours). The course is completed in an intensive 8 (WMI) to 10 (WMA) day format. Requires an additional course fee. 3 credits. Outdoor Emergency Care (REC 2015) Outdoor Emergency Care is a performance-based emergency care educational program of the National Ski Patrol. The primary focus of the program reflects the individual’s need for training in the outdoor environment. It is the standard of training adopted to meet the emergency care requirements of an outdoor emergency care technician. The American Red Cross Professional Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation Program will be presented as part of the course content. Requires an additional course fee. 4 credits. The primary purpose of essentials courses is to introduce and develop the outdoor skill set among students. Prior experience is helpful, but not required to enroll in these courses. Essentials of Rock & Ice Climbing (REC 3006) This course is designed to develop climbing skills among students. Climbing skills include but are not limited to: climbing safety, approaching climbs, setting anchors, belaying, escaping the belay, repelling, and usage of all climbing gear. Further, students will learn the subtleties of leadership in climbing situations, trends in climbing as well as the rich history of climbing. Requires additional course fee. Prerequisites: REC 1041 Outdoor Living Skills or permission of instructor. 3 credits. Essentials of Winter Mountain Travel (REC 3007) This course is designed to provide students with essential skills to participate in alpine and mountain-based activities leading up to winter expedition mountaineering. Students will be given opportunities for the application of the principles of responsible use of the environment for recreation and leisure including leadership, teamwork, decision making, and problem solving with the intent of minimizing human impact while maximizing safety and enjoyment. Course content will build on the REC 1041 Outdoor Living Skills course to include the historical basis of mountaineering and a continuum of skill development necessary for winter camping, avalanche safety, snowshoeing, Nordic skiing, crampon technique, and mountain rescue. Requires an additional course fee. Prerequisite: REC 1041 Outdoor Living Skills. 3 credits. Essentials of Challenge Course Technology (REC 3008) This course provides participants with a model for an integrated challenge course program that emphasizes the development of physical, intellectual, and social skills in a safe, supportive and challenging environment. Particular emphasis is placed on ropes course technician skills and the adventure learning process of experiential education following the standards of the Association for Challenge Course Technology. Requires additional course fee. 3 credits. Essentials of Paddling (REC 3009) This course is designed to provide students with essential skills to participate in river canoeing (Basic River Canoe up to Class 3), kayaking (Essentials of River Kayaking up to Class 2) and Introduction to Touring Kayak (Flatwater Class 1). Students will be given opportunities for leadership, teamwork, decision making, and problem solving with the intent of minimizing human impact while maximizing safety and enjoyment. Course content will build on the Outdoor Living Skills course (REC 1041) and will include the historical basis of paddlesport and a continuum of skill development necessary for participation. Skill development will follow the guidelines for paddle skill instruction established by the American Canoe Association (ACA, governing body of paddlesport). Requires additional course fee. Prerequisite: REC 1041 Outdoor Living Skills. 3 credits. Essentials of Scuba - Level 1 (REC 1002) This course combines the Open Water and Advanced Open Water Certification programs of the Professional Association of Diving Instructors (PADI). The course content teaches the fundamental knowledge and skills needed to dive with a buddy, and upon completion, independent of supervision. The course combines classroom, pool, and open-water participation to successfully meet certification requirements. Other topics include diver safety, aquatic environment, health for diving, programming, teamwork, presentation skills, research projects, and career opportunities in the dive industry. Requires additional course fee. Prerequisites: Students must meet PADI medical requirements and successfully complete a watermanship assessment. 3 credits. Essentials of Scuba - Level II (REC 1003) This course combines the Rescue Diver, Enriched Air “Nitrox” Diver, and Emergency First Responder Certification programs of the Professional Association of Diving Instructors (PADI). Students learn to look beyond themselves to consider the safety and well-being of other divers through problem prevention, observation skills, and management of emergencies. Other topics include scenarios, mock rescues, physics/physiology of diving, research, teamwork, presentation skills, research projects, and career development. Requires additional course fee. Prerequisites: Students must meet PADI medical requirements and have successfully completed PADI Advanced Open Water Diver or REC 1002 Essentials of Scuba – Level I. 3 credits. Essentials of Scuba - Level III (REC 1005) This course follows the PADI curriculum for Divemaster course for the Professional Scuba Diver. Students learn to take on professional responsibilities, assist other professional members, guide certified diver, and work with ski and snorkel divers. Divemaster candidates work on demonstration quality skills, rescue skills, dive theory, physics, physiology, equipment knowledge, and mastering recreational dive planners. Requires additional course fee. Prerequisites: Students must meet PADI medical and dive requirements and have successfully completed PADI Rescue Diver or REC 1003 Essentials of Scuba – Level II. 3 credits. Essentials of Scuba - Level IV (REC 3000) This course will follow the curriculum guidelines for the PADI Instructor Development Course (IDC) that is split into two sections: The Assistant Instructor (AI) course and the Open Water Scuba Instructor (OWSI) Certification program. Requires additional course fee. Prerequisites: Students must meet PADI medical and dive requirements and have successfully completed the PADI Divemaster course or REC 1005 Essentials of Scuba – Level III. 3 credits. Theories & Foundations of Therapeutic Adventure (REC 3071) This course is designed to introduce students to an overview of the theories and foundations of therapeutic adventure. Specifically this course will examine: adventure and wilderness therapy models, the therapeutic process, programming applications, processing experiences, research and the future of therapeutic adventure. Prerequisites: REC 2025 Introduction to Therapeutic Recreation Services, REC 2033 Foundations of Adventure Recreation. 3 credits. Practical Application of Therapeutic Adventure (REC 3072) This course is designed to give students information regarding the practical application of therapeutic adventure techniques. Different theories and methods utilized in the service of therapeutic practice including the identification of a presenting problem/ issue, and the selection of strategies of client management and methods of intervention will be explored. The lab component of this class is designed to provide the student with an opportunity to apply the skills discussed in the practical application course through hands-on experiences. The students will be exposed to individual and group processing techniques, with a focus on the use of metaphors in the therapeutic process. Prerequisites: REC 2025 Introduction to Therapeutic Adventure. 3 credits.
