I'm not sure if I'm posting this in the right area but....I am looking to get my Bachelor's in sometype of Outdoor/Recreation/Adventure Degree. I'm currently looking into Oregon State University but I'm curious to know if there are any top schools that employers look for or any school with an outstanding reputation for this program. I am also curious what kind of extra certifications and classes I can be taken to help my experience and resume. Thanks!
Alicia
Hi Alicia
I am currently studying Adventure Education at the univerity of Chichester (UK). I am absolutely loving it and I am only 3 months in!
I have worked at an outdoor centre for the past 3 years (I'm 23), I received a brochure through the post while I was working offering for a 'learn as you earn' style course in Adventure Education bachelor of arts degree. It offered me to study and work at the same time, going to university for two weeks every 8-10 weeks. I really enjoyed the course and the delivery of the course.
Anyways, that was last year. I lost my job over the summer and panicked a little and thought at 23 this is my last time to go to university and decided to the course full time.
The course has given me more of an insight into the world of outdoor education and adventure education (there is a difference!). Studying the way groups behave, problem solve and form has been fasinating as i have been able to relate my three years of experience to this. Other modules include, analysis of water based activites and the analysis of adventure education as well as the philosophy of adventure ed.
The course also offers an opportunity to gain lots of experince in water based activities (kayaking, canoeing and sailing) spending 8-10 hours a week on the water and one thing that we have in the UK that the US doesn't is NGB's (national governing bodies) so awards that are recognised for being competent in climbing, mountaineering, kayaking, sailing etc etc etc etc etc!
On a course like this there is plenty of opportunities to meet people who are in the business as well as building contacts that can be used in the future, I have managed to be 'guinea pigs' for a nearby activity centre for when they are doing instructor training, as well as keeping those contacts for future employment.
Hope this answers your questions
Please check out the university web site and have a look at the course www.chi.ac.uk
Stuart
Greetings, Alicia:
I teach in the Adventure Education program (B.A. in Adventure Education) at Fort Lewis College in Durango, CO. The program is in it's fourth year and has about 90 students. A synopsis of the program is that it puts the "why" behind the "what" of adventure education (AE). That is, courses in areas such as Philosophy and Theory of AE, Teaching Methods in AE, Processing and Facilitation, Organization and Administration of AE complement skills courses covering mountaineering to river paddling. One featured aspect of the program is a block/immersion semester, which includes multi-day field expeditions in the San Juan mountains of southwest Colorado and the canyons and rivers of southeast Utah, along with courses in leadership, experiential teaching methods, and Wilderness First Responder.
You may want to check out the website, www.fortlewis.edu/adventureeducation. I believe there is a link there to the blog where you could communicate with current AE students.
Other good Bachelor degree programs to check out include those at Prescott College (AZ), University of New Hampshire, Georgia College and State University, and Plymouth (NH) State University.
Bob StrembaDirector & Professor of Adventure EducationFort Lewis College