Outdoor Education, Leadership, and Tourism - Lyndon

Faculty

Sean Doll, Associate Professor
Benjamin Mirkin, Associate Professor

Brad Moskowitz, Professor

Mission Statement

The Northern Vermont University-Lyndon Outdoor Education, Leadership, and Tourism 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 NVU-Lyndon Outdoor Education, Leadership, and Tourism Department bond the two concentrations of Adventure Education and Mountain Resort 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 two concentrations in the baccalaureate program: Adventure Education and Mountain Resort Management. The concentrations require 38-44 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. 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 Education 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, mapping & planning, and adventure skills training in rock climbing, ice climbing, mountaineering, backcountry skiing/riding, mountain biking, canoeing, sea kayaking, whitewater kayaking, 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. After sophomore year, students have the option of selecting courses from either the Mountain Operations or the Resort Management elective groups.

Outdoor Education, Leadership, and Tourism (OELT) 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
Photography
Criminal Justice
Geology
Psychology and Human Services, etc.

Certifications:

Wilderness First Responder (WFR)
Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)
Automated External Defibrillator (AED)
Leave No Trace Master Education (LNT)
Outdoor Emergency Care (OEC)
State of Vermont Life Apprentice Level I
American Canoe Association (ACA) Levels 1-4

Certificates of Completion:

Avalanche Level I & II (AIARE)
Geographic Information Systems (ESRI)
American Mountain Guides Association (AMGA) Single pitch instructor (SPI) course

Programs

Associate of Science

Mountain Resort Management (A.S.) - L

Bachelor of Science

Minor

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