Outdoor Education Undergraduate Program
Outdoor Education at UNH gave us the confidence in our skills, professionalism in our actions, and useful knowledge to be able to pursue great, full-time careers in the Outdoor Education industry.
- Dave Boynton, '03 and Shelby Boynton, '03
Focus on Leadership and Teaching
Strong leadership and teaching skills are critical for emerging outdoor professionals. Recent research on learning indicates that well designed, real-world "apprenticeship" experiences provide the best support for up-and-coming practitioners. Following from this research, our students gain valuable practical skills through required leadership days, practicum experiences, and internships. Plus, our classes almost always include many hands-on components. Students' participation in leadership activities throughout the curriculum enhances the theoretical understanding of the field as well as technical skill development.
Early in the program, students take on supported leadership roles during field-based courses. In this stage students are given "leader of the day" responsibilities that include developing a trip plan, teaching basic lessons to peers, and motivating the group. As students advance through the curriculum they are introduced to local schools and organizations, planning and instructing weekend wilderness experiences. Later, students participate in a supervised teaching or leadership position in a community organization for a required 100 hours.
In addition to these structured experiences, students accrue 100 days of practical instruction on their own before participating in the culminating experience: a 400 hour internship. Additional opportunities for leadership include becoming a teaching assistant for lower-level classes and acting as a research assistant for faculty. These collaborative experiences provide students with a solid framework for the application of skills and knowledge in real life situations, while also providing constructive feedback to help hone leadership skills. Moreover, these real-world leadership experiences are great resume builders, setting UNH graduates apart from other job applicants.