Outdoor Education

OUTDOOR EDUCATION CONCENTRATION
Recreation and Leisure Studies majors may elect this concentration by participating in the Gordon College Outdoor Education W.I.L.D. (Wilderness Immersion and Leadership Development) Semester and completing an outdoor education experience for their internship (LS425). To apply for admission into the outdoor education concentration, see the director of outdoor education. Wilderness First Aid or Wilderness First Responder required for completion of concentration. Please click on the link to the left (W.I.L.D. Semester) for more information on applying and student photo journals regarding the 2007 & 2009 Outdoor Education W.I.L.D. Semester.

GORDON OUTDOOR EDUCATION W.I.L.D. SEMESTER
The Gordon College Outdoor Education W.I.L.D. Semester exposes students to the historical, cultural, spiritual, moral and environmental dimensions of the wilderness and encourages critical thought about issues important to outdoor educators. Through a living and learning community, experiential opportunities, extensive outdoor travel and fieldwork, students will obtain valuable outdoor skills, leadership experience and crucial outdoor certifications. The W.I.L.D. Semester will fulfill requirements for either a recreation and leisure studies concentration in outdoor education or a minor in outdoor education. Sixteen credits and an internship placement. Contact David Starbuck, Director of the W.I.L.D. Semester for more information and application instructions.

Outdoor Education Immersion Semester Student Photo Journals

MINOR IN OUTDOOR EDUCATION
Nonmajors may minor in outdoor education by participating in the Gordon College Outdoor Education W.I.L.D. Semester after completing the application and obtaining approval from the department chair. W.I.L.D. Semester courses are:

OEI241 Foundations of Outdoor Education
OEI243 Philosophies and Theories of Outdoor Education and Leadership
OEI343 Expeditionary Training (Wilderness Education Association Certification)
OEI371 Nature, Humans and Human Nature
OE425 Internship
Wilderness First Aid or Wilderness First Responder required for completion of concentration.

OEI241 Foundations of Outdoor Education (4)
Explores the historical and literary foundations of outdoor education and the broad definitions of spirituality in the wilderness. This inquiry is done in conjunction with the development of a personal environmental ethic and introductory technical skills related to outdoor education.

OEI243 Philosophies and Theories of Outdoor Education and Leadership (4)
Surveys the current philosophies, theories, methodologies and applications of outdoor education. General leadership principles are reviewed and students are introduced to teaching strategies, program design and administrative responsibilities common to the operation of outdoor programs.

OEI343 Expeditionary Training (Wilderness Education Association Certification) (4)
Through a 21-day wilderness expedition, this course incorporates the Wilderness Education Association's 18-point curriculum, which includes topics such as: judgment, decision making, problem solving, group dynamics, nutrition, health and sanitation, risk management, wilderness emergency procedures, natural and cultural history, processing skills and the transference of learning.

OEI371 Nature, Humans and Human Nature (4)
Issues in outdoor education cannot be understood without reference to culture and the cultural values that shape the way humans perceive and interact with their environment. Within this course, we will explore the historical relationship between nature and culture; intra-human relationships around socioeconomic class, race, and gender; and the influence of spiritual, intellectual and aesthetic traditions in shaping environmental thought. Key questions at the center of the course: What is nature? What is wilderness? What is culture? Does nature shape culture or does culture shape nature? What is the role of power in the struggles over defining and shaping nature?