Concentration
Center for Outdoor Studies
Professors
Jim Harrison
Applied Risk Management and Backcountry Leadership (Concentration)
In a synthesis of traditional classroom and experiential learning, this program provides students with the core knowledge and skills to lead backcountry trips. Students in the program will gain an understanding of risk assessment, decision making, minimizing impact, problem solving, and group management within the contexts of backpacking, whitewater paddling, and rock climbing. As such, excursions to local rivers, trails, and climbing areas play a significant role in the overall program. Throughout the program’s coursework, students will explore relevant issues associated with adventure-based recreation, receive feedback, and reflect as they work to integrate the technical, interpersonal, and judgment skills vital to successful, caring backcountry leadership. (16-18 total credits)
Required Courses: CFOS 100: Foundations of Risk Management and Backcountry Leadership (3 credits); CFOS 200 Intro to Adventure Sports (3 credits); two courses chosen from CFOS 301 Long Distance Hiking, CFOS 302 Intermediate Whitewater Paddling, and CFOS Intermediate Rock Craft (6 credits); CFOS 400 provides the Capstone Experience in Applied Risk Management and Leadership (3 credits). (15 credits)
Additional Requirement: Students in the Program are required to complete a wilderness first aid or responder certification (1-3 credits).
Degrees and Certificates
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Applied Risk Management and Backcountry Leadership,
Courses
CFOS 100: Foundations of Backcountry Leadership and Risk Management
Program
The course covers fundamental backcountry skills and topics, including the ethical principles of Leave No Trace, decision-making, backcountry kitchen safety, backcountry lifeguarding, weather, navigation, and group management. This course supports students with an interest in outdoor recreation and prepares them for further experiences in guiding and leadership. The course will be taught in a classroom/workshop setting with excursions to the Bartlett-Crowe Field Station mixed into the curriculum.
*This course is required for E&H backcountry trip leader positions.
CFOS 200: Introduction to Adventure Sports
Program
Through an introduction to the adventure sport disciplines of backpacking, whitewater paddling, and rock climbing, this course places backcountry risk management in an experiential context. This course provides a skills-oriented experience, with class regularly venturing to local rivers, trails, and climbing areas. Lectures and skills instruction associated with each discipline are scaffolded to support beginners and to encourage a safe and lifelong relationship with the outdoor recreation. The class will meet in the Outdoor Center, the campus pool, and various off-campus programming areas.
*This course is required for E&H backcountry trip leader positions.
Prerequisites
CFOS 100 with a 'C' or better.
CFOS 301: Long-Distance Backpacking
Program
In this seven-week course, students engage in intensive training in preparation for hiking the Appalachian Trail. The coursework consists of in-depth instruction of long-distance backpacking topics and skills, including the history and key figures of the Appalachian Trail, risk assessment and safety, Leave No Trace ethics, footwear, layering systems, backcountry cooking, navigation, logistics management, nutrition, and problem-solving.
Prerequisites
Admission into the Semester-A-Trail Program; Wilderness First Aid Certification or higher.
CFOS 302: Intermediate Whitewater Paddling
Program
This course supports students with a significant interest in advancing skills and techniques in whitewater kayaking and rafting, preparing them for further experiences in guiding and leadership. Participants will paddle class I, II, and III whitewater and engage in a variety of topics and skills instruction, including the history and key figures of whitewater paddling, river rescue, reading whitewater, river running skills, decision-making, group management, weather considerations, and driving and loading vehicles. The course will be taught in a classroom/workshop setting, in the campus pool, and with excursions to local lakes and rivers.
*This course is required for whitewater trip leaders.
Prerequisites
CFOS 200 with a grade of 'C' or better.
Additional Requirements: Wilderness First Aid Certification or higher.
CFOS 303: Intermediate Rock Craft
Program
This course focuses on the intermediate aspects of single-pitch rock climbing and provides hands-on instruction and practice in managing risk in climbing sports. The coursework covers a variety of rock craft topics and skills, including the history and key figures of climbing, climbing gear, indoor/outdoor bouldering, knot fluency, belaying, top-roping, sport climbing, anchors, traditional lead climbing, rappelling/lowering, and body movement.
*This course is required for E&H rock climbing trip leaders.
Prerequisites
CFOS 200 with a grade of 'C' or better.
Additional Requirements: Wilderness First Aid Certificate or higher medical training.
CFOS 400: Capstone in Applied Risk Management and Backcountry Leadership
Program
Working closely with the staff of the Center for Outdoor Studies, students in this course will research, plan, market, and implement an adventure-based trip or program. In a final, comprehensive presentation, students will articulate their personal philosophy on backcountry leadership. To inform the presentation, students will conduct research in their chosen adventure discipline, focusing on contemporary issues in the field with topics including social justice, land management, ethics, options for further education in the field, and career opportunities.
Prerequisites
Two of the following with a grade of 'C' or better: CFOS 301, CFOS 302, or CFOS 303.
Additional requirements: Current Wilderness First Aid or higher certification.