Outdoor Recreation

Students majoring in recreation management may choose to pursue an emphasis in outdoor recreation. Careers in outdoor recreation are based on the combination of learning and teaching and engaging in the activities of the outdoors. The terms “outdoor education” and “outdoor recreation” are often used interchangeably. It is often said that one is educated in, about, and for the out-of-doors. It consists of a broad spectrum of leisure activities.

You may engage in leisure activities in the out-of-doors through understanding, appreciating, and utilizing the opportunities in the natural environment, organized camping, environmental interpretation, and sport and exercise in the outdoors.

Students electing to pursue an outdoor recreation emphasis may take any of the following courses in addition to the outdoor recreation courses in the core of classes required for the major. These courses are Camp Administration, Environmental Resources, Descriptive Botany, and Ecology. Students are also encouraged to do their required practicum and internship experience in one of the many outdoor career areas. The core classes in the major include Outdoor Recreation and Campcraft Skills, Aquatics, Recreational Sports, and First Aid and Emergency Procedures.

Examples of employment positions in outdoor recreation could include a camp director, an interpretive naturalist, outdoor adventure programming, museum director, children’s zoo leader, nature center programmer, tour guide, aquatics instructor, or a resort owner/operator.

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