Adventure Recreation teaches you the art of enjoying and surviving the outdoors in a logistical manner.
This minor delves into orienteering, camping, primitive survival skills, and wilderness first aid. By becoming equipped with the skills for the outdoors, you will be ready to tackle different challenges in the wilderness. You will develop valuable skills within this minor, including communication, critical and analytical thinking, and decision-making.
You will take courses that will expose you to different terrain and the importance of survival. Courses such as Winter Recreation and Camping, Advanced Wilderness First Aid, and Primitive Survival Skills, teach the fundamentals of survival along with giving you hands-on experience in the field.
You will also have the freedom to explore different types of outdoor activities to discover your interests.
These requirements are from an excerpt from the University Academic Catalog, which outlines the requirements for a student to earn the distinction of being a Castleton University graduate. The complete catalog is available online.
This minor is offered by the Department of Health, Human Movement, & Sport.
Code | Course | Credits |
---|---|---|
OER 1150 |
Winter Recreation and CampingThis course explores a wide range of winter camping and recreational skills from beginner to expert. It combines outdoor leadership, practical know how and winter ecology. Topics include: appropriate dress, cold weather self care, shelter, nutritional concerns, winter travel techniques, cold weather hazards, snow shoeing, ice fishing, wildlife tracking, winter astronomy and a variety of other winter related activities. The course is both field and lecture oriented with one cold-weather wilderness based camping trip serving as the culminating capstone experience. Fee Fee $75. Spring |
2 |
OER 1210 |
Orienteering and Camping SkillsThis course provides students with and introduction to outdoor living and navigation skills. Topics include leave no trace camping, outdoor cooking, basic camp craft, and map and compass work. Fee Additional course fee. Please refer to the individual semester offerings for specific fees. Fall |
2 |
OER 2060 |
Advanced Wilderness First AidThis course provides essential information for developing first aid skills while in the wilderness. Students receive an Advanced Wilderness First Aid certification from SOLO and an American Heart Association Adult CPR certification. Fall |
3 |
OER 2170 |
Primitive Survival SkillThis course is designed to investigate northeastern wilderness environments and the relation to the modern adventurer, minimalist, or nature enthusiast. The course will abandon the technical rhetoric of modern adventure and delve into the lost art of the self-sufficient backcountry wisdom. Included is the study of the psychology of wilderness living and survival, primitive fire building, wilderness food preparation, emergency hunting and trapping, edible plant gathering and preparing g,cordage weaving, shelter construction, water purveying and filtration etc. The class will combine lecture with hands on instruction. The class requires a three day primitive skill "walkabout" in the remote regions of the Green Mountains and a 24 hour solo experience. Fee Fee $75 Fall |
2 |
OER 2220 |
Theory of Outdoor LeadershipThis course provides an in depth understanding of industry standard leadership practices in the field of outdoor recreation. Students will have the opportunity to apply the leadership skills and theories discussed throughout the course in a practical setting. A large focus will be directed towards program planning, environmental stewardship, expedition behavior and effective teaching styles. Fall |
2 |
Code | Course | Credits |
---|---|---|
OER 1131 |
Rock ClimbingIntroduction to the skills, concepts, equipment, and safety protocols necessary for participation in rock climbing. Course takes place at indoor climbing facility off campus. Fee Fee $75 Fall (First Half of Semester), Spring (Second Half of Semester) |
1 |
OER 1170 |
Ice ClimbingThe student will be exposed to the equipment, climbing safety and basic techniques of climbing. The course requires the student to be available for at least two weekend days to be determined by the instructor. Fee Fee $75. Periodically |
1 |
OER 1180 |
Introduction to Telemark SkiingThe student will be exposed to the equipment and technique used in telemark skiing. This course meets at Pico ski area. Equipment is supplied. Fee Fee $150. Periodically |
1 |
OER 1133 |
Rock Climbing and RappellingThis course explores rock climbing and rappelling in outdoor settings. Students will develop skills and knowledge necessary for participation these activities. Topics include: climbing technique, safety considerations, belaying, anchor building, knot tying, and rope management. Fall (First Half of Semester) |
1 |
OER 1225 |
Wilderness Canoe TrippingThis class investigates the art of canoeing, through the lens of a wilderness canoe trip leader. Students learn to assess risk and manage it accordingly on a multi-day paddling trip. This involves group management, diverse paddling strategy, choosing and packing appropriate gear, camp set up, menu planning and cooking, route finding, canoe rescue and maintenance. The class culminates with a three-day paddling expedition in the Northeast wilderness. Each student leaves the course confident in his/her ability to lead a multi-day canoe trip through a variety of water types, including flat and white water. Students have the ability to appropriately instruct and monitor a group as they prepare for and engage in a canoe expedition. Fee Fee $125 Spring, 7 week course |
1 |
OER 1230 |
Introduction to Mountain BikingThis course gives the beginning mountain biker the basic skills necessary to navigate off road terrain. The student will be introduced to basic gear shifting, braking and bike control/handling. Students will be exposed to climbing and downhill techniques. A review of bike maintenance is included. Equipment is provided. Fee Fee $50 Periodically |
1 |
OER 1240 |
Fly FishingThis course introduces the student to the basics such as how to cast, fly selection, what to expect, how to read water, trout behavior, how to dress trout and trout identification. Basic fly tying techniques are covered. Equipment is provided and students must be available for a few weekend day trips. Fee Fee: $75. Fall (First Half of Semester) |
1 |
OER 1320 |
Back Country Skiing and SnowboardingThis is a course for the skier or snowboarder who is ready to take their sport to the next level. Through hands on experience and engaging lecture and slide shows, the student will be given the knowledge to leave the groomed trail and enter into the back country and all it has to offer. The focus will be on wilderness touring and off resort alpine environments. The class will end with an overnight back country excursion. This class will prepare you for a career in winter wilderness recreation or a lifetime of back country endeavors. Two trips will be available, an alpine trip for snowboarders and alpine skiers and a wilderness ski touring trip. Prerequisite: Ability to ski or snowboard at an advanced level and access to winter camping equipment highly recommended. Fee Fee $75. Spring |
1 |
OER 2310 |
Winter MountaineeringThis course provides essential information for survival and adventure in the wild during the winter months. Included is the study of living and survival, food preparation, shelter construction and group dynamics during winter expeditions. The class will combine lecture with hands on instruction. Included are required trips that include weekend and semester vacations. Equipment is provided. Fee Fee: $150. Spring |
3 |
PED 1040 |
ArcheryThis course provides an introduction to the rules, concepts, strategies and fundamental skills of the sport. Student participation through physical activity is required. Fee Fee $15 Fall and Spring |
1 |