Adventure Education and Outdoor Leadership

During this activity course, you will experience the beauty and challenge of the Boundary Waters in winter while learning essential cold-weather camping and travel skills. This hands-on course introduces students to the fundamentals of winter backcountry travel, including camping techniques, ski and snowshoe travel, trip planning, and winter safety. Participants will learn how to: ● Select and set up winter campsites using tents or snow shelters ● Manage cold-weather clothing systems and cook efficiently in freezing conditions ● Travel safely across frozen lakes and snowy portages by ski and snowshoe ● Understand ice safety, navigation, and risk management in winter environments ● Work as a team in the unique challenges of subzero temperatures and snow The Boundary Waters in winter is a place of quiet, beauty, and resilience. By the end of the course, students will gain both the technical skills and the confidence needed to enjoy and lead winter backcountry adventures.

This course provides a foundation in climbing techniques and essential knowledge for both indoor and outdoor rock climbing on top-rope systems. Students will develop skills in essential equipment, knots, belaying, and movement techniques. Emphasis is placed on safety procedures, effective communication, proper etiquette, and skill development in rock climbing. Class meetings will be held at the Outdoor Pursuit indoor climbing wall (BWC 104). Additionally, students are REQUIRED to participate in two outdoor climbing trips during the third and sixth Saturdays of the semester, where they will apply their skills at some local outdoor climbing sites. These experiences are critical for developing competency in both indoor and outdoor climbing skills. No prior knowledge or skills are required for this course.

This course introduces students to the foundational skills, knowledge, and ethics required for safe, low-impact canoe camping in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW). Students learn paddling techniques, portaging, campsite selection, navigation, food preparation, Leave No Trace principles, and group travel practices unique to a wilderness water-route environment. The course includes classroom sessions and a multi-day field expedition in the BWCAW. Class meetings will be held at the Outdoor Pursuit indoor climbing wall (BWC 104). Additionally, students are REQUIRED to participate in a weekend canoeing and camping trip during the first full weekend of October. During the trip, students will apply their skills as they navigate a predetermined route. These experiences are critical for developing competency in both wilderness camping and canoeing skills. No prior knowledge or skills are required for this course.

This introductory course provides students with a comprehensive foundation in sea kayaking skills, safety practices, and travel on large, dynamic bodies of water. Through a combination of classroom sessions, on-water skill development, and a multi-day sea kayaking trip to the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore, students will build the technical competence, judgment, and environmental awareness necessary for responsible coastal paddling. Students learn essential paddling strokes, boat control, self-rescue, and assisted-rescue techniques for paddling in an offshore setting. Emphasis is placed on understanding the unique challenges of paddling on Lake Superior—including weather, cold-water safety, and risk assessment—and developing the confidence to make sound decisions in open-water environments. Class meetings will be held at the Outdoor Pursuit rental office (BWC 104). Additionally, students are REQUIRED to participate in a weekend sea kayak and camping trip during the second weekend of the semester. During the trip, students will apply their skills as they paddle to and camp on an island in the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore. These experiences are critical for developing competency in both wilderness camping and sea kayaking skills. No prior knowledge or skills are required for this course.

This course provides a foundation in mountain biking techniques, safety practices, and technical skills essential for riding on trail systems and varied terrain. Students will develop foundational knowledge in bike fit and setup, braking and shifting mechanics, body positioning, climbing and descending techniques, and basic trail etiquette while gaining hands-on experience in skill development and applied riding scenarios. Emphasis is placed on risk management, equipment selection and maintenance, environmental stewardship, and best practices for safe and efficient riding. Class meetings will be held at designated campus locations and local trail systems. Additionally, students are REQUIRED to participate in two extended off-campus riding experiences during the third and sixth Saturdays of the semester, where they will apply their skills in real-world trail environments. These experiences are critical for developing competency in both controlled practice settings and dynamic outdoor riding conditions. No prior mountain biking experience is required for this course.

This course emphasizes the development of lifelong physical fitness and wellness habits through regular participation in structured and self-directed physical activity, combined with basic nutritional awareness. Students will engage in weekly workouts that support cardiovascular endurance, muscular strength, flexibility, balance, and functional fitness. Activities may include individual training, group workouts, and recreational or sport-based movement, with options designed to accommodate diverse fitness levels and interests. In addition to physical activity, students will maintain weekly logs of both workouts and nutritional intake. Fitness logs will document activity type, duration, intensity, and personal reflections, while nutrition logs will focus on general eating patterns, hydration, and fueling strategies rather than calorie counting or prescriptive dieting. The course emphasizes mindful, sustainable approaches to nutrition that support physical activity, recovery, and overall well-being. Assessment is based on consistent participation, thoughtful self-reflection, and demonstrated understanding of basic training and nutrition principles. By the end of the course, students will be able to plan, track, and evaluate their own conditioning and nutrition practices, supporting long-term health, performance, and self-care.

This course provides a foundation for climbing techniques, safety systems, and technical skills essential for indoor and outdoor rock climbing. Students will develop foundational knowledge in knots, belaying, rappelling, anchor systems, and movement techniques while gaining hands-on experience with both natural and artificial protection. Emphasis is placed on risk management, equipment selection, and best practices in climbing. Class meetings will be held at the Outdoor Pursuit indoor climbing wall. Additionally, students are REQUIRED to participate in two outdoor climbing trips during the third and sixth Saturdays of the semester, where they will apply their skills in real-world settings. These experiences are critical for developing competency in both base-managed and top-managed systems. No prior knowledge or skills are required for this course.

Wilderness First Responder (WFR) certification is the industry standard for people who work or have a leadership role in remote and wilderness type environments including wilderness guides and trip leaders, camp counselors, research expedition members, higher education outdoor professionals, school forest and nature based educators, and search and rescue team members.? The WFR course is also an excellent option for individuals who are seeking intensive medical training in order to be prepared during personal wilderness trips or extended expeditions, for medical professionals seeking ways to apply their skills outside of the clinic setting, and for people who live and work in remote areas or locations that are prone to natural disasters whose aftermath may delay emergency response. In addition to weekly class meetings, this course has two mandatory 8 hour weekend meetings. These mandatory weekend meetings are tentatively scheduled for the Saturday after Spring break and Easter Break.

Introduces students to adventure education principles, theories, and practices. Students explore the historical and philosophical foundations of the field, examine experiential learning models, and develop facilitation skills for adventure-based activities. Topics covered include risk management, group dynamics, leadership development, and the use of outdoor environments for growth, education, and well-being. Through hands-on experiences, discussions, and reflective learning, students understand how adventure education fosters teamwork, resilience, and stewardship. Students are REQUIRED to participate in an outdoor trip the first full weekend of October.

Topics in Adventure Education and Outdoor Leadership

During this course students will explore additional concepts and models of adventure education and leadership. Students will apply their skills and knowledge through a variety of leadership and instructional opportunities designed to embed a deeper understanding of AEO’s foundational theories and concepts. Each student will develop a comprehensive risk management plan, lesson plans, and adventure sequence which will be implemented and evaluated. Upon completion of the course students will have a model for developing adventure and outdoor experiences that can be adapted to a variety of environments and activities. Students are REQUIRED to participate in an outdoor trip the first full weekend of October. The Methods course students will be leading a experience for the Foundations class.

This is a real-world learning experience where students collaborate with a local community organization to bring Adventure and/or Outdoor Education into their programs. Students will get the chance to plan and run activities that reflect the core ideas of AEO in a way that fits the organization’s mission. Upon completing this course, students will demonstrate their understanding of AEO’s social, environmental, and/or economic aspects reflected in their partner organization's mission. This is a variable credit course; the number of experiential engagement hours is determined by the number of credits enrolled. 2 credits = 70 hours, 4 credits = 140 hours, 6 credits = 210 hours.