Mountain Recreation Management

Thomas Anderson, Associate Professor
John DeLeo, Professor
Sean Doll, Assistant Professor
Benjamin Mirkin, Assistant Professor

Bachelor of Science in Mountain Recreation Management

-Adventure Leadership
-Mountain Resort Management
-Recreation Resource Management

Mountain Recreation students have numerous opportunities to add value to their degrees and job opportunities through specialized program choices, including:

Minors/Associate Degree Programs in Other Departments:
• Business Marketing
• Business Administration
Certifications:
• Wilderness First Responder
• CPR
• Leave No Trace Master Educator
• Outdoor Emergency Care
• State of Vermont Lift Apprentice Level I
Certificates of Completion:
• Avalanche Level I & II (AIARE)
• Geographic Information Systems (ESRI)

Mission Statement

The Lyndon State College Mountain Recreation Management Department inspires critical thinking, personal growth, and professional development in future mountain recreation leaders through the mastery of both technical and interpersonal skills.

Program Goals

The program goals of the Mountain Recreation Management Department bond the three concentrations of Adventure Leadership, Mountain Resort Management, and Recreation Resource Management across a core curriculum. Students who graduate from the program will have:

• strong written and verbal communication skills as well as the ability to design, conduct, and analyze research
• an understanding of the leisure needs and behaviors of diverse populations along with a commitment to community service
• an environmental awareness and appreciation combined with sound resource management skills
• knowledge through applied experiences, problem solving, and the ability to think logically and critically
• individual, group, and organizational leadership skills
• an appreciation for the importance of a sound work ethic

Program Description

The Department offers three concentrations in the baccalaureate program: Adventure Leadership, Mountain Resort Management, and Recreation Resource Management. The concentrations require 41-46 credits of core courses, which include content in: leisure history and philosophy; planning and development of programs and services; management principles and practices; research methods and implementation; recreation resource management policy and practice; leadership applications; and computer skills including both relational and spatial database management. As a part of the core, students participate in a common outdoor education practicum, as well as sophomore field practicum, research projects, and senior internship experiences specific to their concentration.

Student Learning Outcomes

• Upon graduation, recreation majors will be able to: plan, implement, and evaluate a program to meet diverse leisure needs served by the public and private sectors of the recreation industry
• apply appropriate use of current technology for recreation field related problems
• conduct research consistent with the scientific methods to objectively solve problems within the recreation profession

Concentration Requirements and Career Opportunities

The Adventure Leadership concentration prepares students for career opportunities as outdoor instructors, ski and climbing guides, expedition leaders, program directors and administrators in wilderness therapy, commercial adventure-based programs, outdoor environmental education centers, college outdoor programs, recreation departments, and other public and private organizations. Classroom experiences provide students with a theoretical understanding of adventure education, experiential learning, program development, risk management, environmental stewardship, and leadership. Field-based courses, practicum, and internship experiences provide students with opportunities to develop the personal characteristics and technical skills necessary for the practice of safe, high quality adventure programs. This program highlights integrated technology, GIS, GPS, mapping & planning, and adventure skills training in rock climbing, ice climbing, mountaineering, backcountry skiing/riding, mountain biking, orienteering, ropes and challenge course facilitation, expedition planning and leadership. Expeditions travel both domestically and internationally as well as use the Green Mountains of Vermont and the White Mountains of New Hampshire as our local learning laboratories.

Mountain Resort Management students embark on their education through introductory courses orienting them to resort operations and functions. They learn about all facets of the mountain resort and how each department functions. As sophomores, students engage in more than 200 hours of field experiences at various resorts throughout Vermont and New Hampshire and begin applying the theories and lessons from their freshman year to real world, field-based applications. Students work side-by-side with industry professionals and attend resort seminars focused on industry trends and issues. During their second and third year, students are also honing their understanding of specifics in the mountain resort industry in courses such as Public Relations and Risk Management. An additional minimum of 450 hours is spent in a senior internship at a resort matching the student’s career interests. Students may also choose to graduate with an Associate of Science degree in Business Administration or Marketing. Graduates find careers in diverse functions in both mountain services and mountain operations at resorts throughout the country.

The Recreation Resource Management concentration includes classroom and extensive field experiences that provide a theoretical and practical understanding of planning and management techniques for land and water-based recreation resources. Students obtain an experience-based understanding of environmental policy, recreation related environmental issues, the impact and management of human activity on recreation resources areas, and the use of G.I.S. and G.P.S. Graduates of the Recreation Resource Management concentration obtain positions as recreation planners and managers in natural resource agencies and organizations as well as move into private industry as GIS mapping technicians. A Minor in Natural Science is strongly recommended.

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