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Outdoor Education and Leadership
Increasing numbers of people go into the wilderness for recreation and education, as well as for personal growth and teambuilding. This has created a need for skilled and informed professionals to facilitate the interaction between people and the natural environment—both to enhance the individual learning experience and to protect and interpret the wilderness.
Sterling’s Outdoor Education and Leadership program combines the study of educational and leadership theory and practice with technical outdoor travel and adventure skills. Students also explore issues ranging from ethical controversies and risk management to program design. Students gain a solid background in ecology, environmental science, and recreational resource management.
Coursework includes rock-climbing, flatwater and whitewater canoeing, cross-country and backcountry skiing, map and compass navigation, low-impact backcountry travel and camping in all seasons, and ropes-course management. More importantly, students learn to lead, teach, and facilitate these activities, while modeling and inspiring sustainable environmental practices. Through internships, volunteerism, work experiences, and Sterling’s experiential education courses, students gain experience teaching and leading groups. Both the hands-on nature of our program and our setting in Vermont's rural Northeast Kingdom create a dynamic and engaging environment for studying Outdoor Education and Leadership.
Graduates majoring in Outdoor Education and Leadership have found employment with a variety of educational and adventure based programs. Among these are Outward Bound, Project Adventure, the Vermont Institute of Natural Science, the Farm School, and Proctor Academy.
Sterling will grant credit for National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS) semester courses and some Stonehearth Open Learning Opportunities (SOLO) courses.
Recent Internship Sites
Hurricane Island Outward Bound—Florida
Breckenridge Outdoor Education Center—Colorado
Elon Homes for Children—North Carolina
George Williams College Outdoor Education Center—Wisconsin
National Outdoor Leadership School—Arizona
Vermont Youth Conservation Corps—Vermont
Senior Applied Research Projects
Outdoor and Environmental Curriculum Development and Implementation for Home Schooled Families in conjunction with the Vermont Leadership Center
Curriculum Development and Implementation for Inner City Youth at the Boojum Institute in California
A Comparison of the Decision Making Process Across Outdoor Education Programs—NOLS, Outward Bound, Project Adventure
Degree Requirements
| Applied Sciences |
Credits |
| AS156: Advanced Wilderness First Aid |
2.0 |
| AS256: Wilderness First Responder |
2.0 |
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| Humanities |
Credits |
| HM445: Senior Applied Research Project Presentation* |
3.0 |
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| Natural Sciences |
Credits |
| Either: NS200: Watershed Ecosystem Analysis |
3.0 |
| Or: NS205: Environmental Science and Lab |
3.0 |
NS3xx or SS3xx: Quantitative or Qualitative Research Methods*
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1.0 |
| NS439 or SS439 Senior Applied Research Project I* |
3.0 |
| NS440 or SS440: Senior Applied Research Project II |
3.0 |
One additional natural science course chosen from NS206-435
(excluding NS320) |
2.0-4.0 |
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| Social Sciences |
Credits |
| SS233: Small Group Dynamics |
2.0 |
| SS320: Group Process for Outdoor Leaders |
3.0 |
| SS330: Experiential Curriculum Design |
3.0 |
| SS/HM425: Education and Culture |
3.0 |
| Either: SS240: Education and Learning Theory |
2.0 |
| Or: SS241: Foundations of Outdoor Education and Leadership |
3.0 |
| Either: SS310: Land Use History and Planning |
3.0 |
| Or: NS/SS370: Wildland Stewardship |
3.0 |
| At least two outdoor education and leadership skills courses chosen from: |
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| AS1xx: Introduction to Rock Climbing |
1.0 |
| AS2xx: Whitewater Canoeing |
1.0 |
| AS208: Canoe Trip Guiding |
2.0 |
| AS225: Ice Climbing |
1.0 |
| AS230: Rock Climbing Techniques for Outdoor Leaders |
2.0 |
| AS260: Winter Mountaineering |
3.0 |
| SS3070: Challenge Course Instruction |
3.0 |
NS206: Human Nutrition is strongly recommended for all students majoring in Outdoor Education and Leadership. SS240: Education and Learning Theory provides preparation for students interested in classroom instruction.
The Faculty recommends that students choose related electives in the humanities and social sciences—courses that will prepare students to use integrative approaches in their Senior Applied Research Projects and beyond.
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Project—SARP
