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Youth Development & Camp Management

Program Director: Thayer Raines, Re.D.
Division of Sciences & Outdoor Learning

Programs offered:

• BS in Youth Development & Camp Management

• Minor in Therapeutic Adventure

• Minor in Youth Development & Camp Management

The Youth Development and Camp Management degree provides students with the skills and training to work in a variety of youth development programs including after school programs, day camps, vacation and summer programs, public recreation departments, and wilderness schools.

Learning Outcomes for Youth Development & Camp Management Majors
The successful student will:

• To develop entry level leaders for the growing recreation industry capable of filling positions in program and facility management at the director, coordinator, or supervisor level

• To provide high quality balanced training and education experiences in theory and practical knowledge

• To provide for individualized student development in and out of the classroom through projects, certifications, electives, practicum, internship and self-designed opportunities

• To provide an educational foundation that will facilitate the pursuit of graduate study.

Career opportunities within the Adventure Education major include, but are not limited to:

• Youth director for community, agency, or private organization

• Program director for youth-serving association (i.e. Boys & Girls Club, YMCA, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, 4-H, Campfire USA, Youth Corps)

• Church youth director or religiously-affiliated youth program/camp director

• Director of resident or day camp/retreat center

• Teen center or after school program director

• Hospitality, resort, or cruise ship youth services manager and day-camp director

Leadership Outside the Classroom
Optional professional certification tracks (ADV courses) allow students with a particular interest or focused career goal to seek appropriate levels of certification and obtain college credit with the American Canoe Association (canoe, kayak, raft instructor), Association of Challenge Course Technology approved providers, Professional Association of Dive Instructors (Scuba Dive Instructor), American Mountain Guides Association or Professional Climbing Instructors Association, Professional Ski Instructors of America or American Association of Snowboard Instructors.

Throughout the YDCM curriculum students are provided with experiential “hands-on” learning opportunities with schools, camps and youth-serving organizations. Formal non-credit and credit bearing work experience (practicum hours and internship) is an integral part of the degree program. The internship is a 6 credit hour, 10 week, 400 hour (minimum) work experience. More detailed information regarding the internship program is contained in a separate publication: The Internship Manual

Specific guidelines that students need to satisfy prior to engaging in the internship experience are as follows:

• Have a valid nationally recognized first aid and CPR card upon entering their sophomore year.

• Complete 200 hours of practical experience of approved, documented recreation work prior to their internship.

• Must possess a minimum GPA of 2.50 in major program requirements to enroll in the internship.

• Youth Development & Camp Management majors must be certified at the Wilderness First Aid (WFA) or Divers First Aid level or above. Appropriate emergency response certification is best determined by the students intended career path. Certification must be obtained from the National Ski Patrol (NSP), Professional Association of Dive Instructors (PADI), Stonehearth Outdoor Learning Opportunities (SOLO), Wilderness Medical Associates (WMA), Wilderness Medicine Institute (WMI), Wilderness Medical Training Center (WMTC) or some level of Department of Transportation approved emergency medicine course

Therapeutic Adventure Minor
The Therapeutic Adventure minor is available to all bachelor degree candidates. It is particularly well suited to those students in Recreation, Education and Psychology. To fulfill the requirements for a therapeutic adventure minor, the student must complete the following required courses:

Requirements

Youth Development & Camp Management Minor

Adventure Recreation Professional Certification Tracks
(Optional, 1-18 credits)
Within Recreation & Outdoor Studies , students are given the opportunity to participate in professional certification tracks. The tracks are not required. Courses identified within these tracks ("ADV" courses) are scheduled by outside organizations that charge fees above the cost of tuition for Green Mountain College. The right to change the fees and schedule of a course is retained by the organization sponsoring the course. Proper documentation of course completion must be presented to the Registrar in order to receive credit toward graduation. Students may transfer credit for Outward Bound, National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS), and Wilderness Education Association courses completed for college credit from other Social Sciences and Professional Studies institutions. In addition to accepting course credit transferred from other institutions of higher education, Green Mountain College has entered into an articulation agreement with NOLS, which permits students to obtain credit for attendance while remaining enrolled at Green Mountain College.

Professional Association of Dive Instructors (PADI) Certification Semester Hours

American Canoe Association (ACA) Paddlesport Instructor Certification
Semester Hours
Instructor Certification may be obtained in touring or river canoe, river kayak, coastal kayak, surf kayak, rafting, and safety & rescue. Students may take courses more than once if Instructor Certification is sought in more than one discipline.

Challenge Course Certification and Leadership
Courses listed are from an Association of Challenge Course Technology (ACCT) Level 4 Professional Vendor Member course catalog. Students seeking credit for facilitator training must consult with the faculty in the ROS Department to verify provider’s ACCT standing prior to enrollment in courses. Provider’s must at a minimum be a Level 3 Professional Vendor Member of the ACCT.
Semester Hours

Professional Ski Instructors Association (PSIA) and/or American Association of Snowboard Instructors (AASI) Certification
Semester Hours
Certification can be obtained in five areas: Alpine Ski, Nordic-Track/Skate, Nordic-Downhill, Snowboarding, or Adaptive Skiing.

American Mountain Guide Association (AMGA) Certification
Semester Hours
Certification can be obtained in three areas: Ski, Alpine, and Rock Guide.