Outdoor Education /Adventure Education Major At Northland College

Outdoor Education Program web site: http://www.northland.edu/oe

Major Advisors:

Assistant Professor of Outdoor Education Paul Van Horn

pvanhorn@northland.edu /Phone: (715) 682-1324

Associate Professor of Outdoor Education Grant White

gwhite@northland.edu/ Phone: (715) 682-1350

Graduate Profile

Work in adventure-based outdoor programs, non-profit agencies, college recreation programs, school-based programs,  or run your own business.

Teaching outdoor skills such as rock climbing, kayaking, traditional wilderness skills, and skiing, personal skills such as effective social interaction skills, self-esteem and self-confidence building.

Work with a wide variety of clientele, from children through seniors, depending on the program and course.

For the purpose of facilitating experiences that allow people to build self-esteem, technical and interpersonal skills, and learn more about their connections to the natural world.

Additional Options

Consider an academic minor, a double major, or a well-chosen set of electives to enhance your career options

Career and graduate school options for Adventure Education majors are enhanced when you add course work in a complimentary field of study such as business, education, natural sciences, or a well-chosen set of electives within the outdoor education program. Talk with the major advisor about complimentary ways to enhance the strength of your degree.

Go to Graduate School in education, outdoor education or recreation administration.

Career Ideas

Become an outdoor education instructor skilled in a particular area of expertise, such as traditional skills or mountaineering, an adventure education specialist with a non-profit youth organization or school, a wilderness guide or outfitter, or an owner/operator of an outdoor-oriented business.

Search the Web

Northland College Outdoor Education Web Resources

http://www.northland.edu/oe Job hunting resources, employment opportunities, internship opportunities, graduate in the workforce

General Outdoor Education Web Resources

http://www.outdoored.com Jobs, articles, list serves, important professional information

http://www.aee.org Association for Experiential Education web site

Adventure Education Resources

www.indiana.edu/~outdoor/IOLE.htm  The Institute for Outdoor Learning and Education at Indiana University offers online resources, links, and other information

http://www.nols.edu The National Outdoor Leadership School offers courses, publications, and online resources for outdoor educators

www.outwardbound.org Outward Bound USA offers courses, online resources, and links related to the adventure education field.

www.primitive.org The Society of Primitive Technology offers publications, gatherings, and other resources to further the study of prehistorical and indigenous technologies and living skills.

www.weainfo.org The Wilderness Education Association offers programs, links, and online resources to encourage the preservation of wilderness through leader education.

Graduate Studies

http://programs.gradschools.com/usa/outdoor_education.html access to many Outdoor Education graduate programs in the US

http://www.cedu.niu.edu/tedu/outdooredfaq.html Graduate program in Outdoor and Environmental Education at Northern Illinois University

http://www.aurora.edu/recadmin/  Master’s degrees in Recreation Administration with Outdoor Pursuits Administration or Administration of Leisure Services Emphasis at Aurora University

http://www.prescott.edu/academics/map/areas.html#adventure Master of Arts in Adventure Education