This course is designed to deepen and expand on the skills necessary to plan, participate in, and enjoy adventures that take place away from urban centers. A connectedness with nature and the ability to make choices for a sustainable future will be some of the underlying themes of the course.
Students will gain skills in camping, safety, navigation, route selection, equipment use, equipment maintenance, as well as gain interpersonal skills as they work with their peers to meet individual and group goals. Personal growth will be achieved as students are pushed to their limits both physically and mentally.
Syllabus structural timelines mapped out chronologically by institutional focus blocks:
| Core Educational Focus | Approximate Classes |
|---|---|
| Winter Activities | 20 Classes |
| Outdoor Survival | 20 Classes |
| Sustainable Wildlife Management | 20 Classes |
| Backpacking / Hiking | 15 Classes |
| Orienteering | 15 Classes |
| Paddling & Water Safety | 10 Classes |
Core competencies and survival requirements evaluated during the freeze semester blocks. Students build hands-on mastery over severe environments:
A heavy emphasis of our cold-weather syllabus focuses on teamwork and group coordination inside primitive structures. Building proper ventilation networks, packing density limits, and managing personal thermal boundaries are vital components of the winter survival module.
Students participate in active, real-time emergencies simulating sudden drops in temperatures and structural adjustments, ensuring complete comfort and confidence on ice fields before any major field trip commences.
Core competencies, alternative outdoor pursuits, and regional ecological tracking evaluated during temperate seasonal blocks:
Students must cover fees associated with these 3 mandatory wilderness trips. Fundraising tools are provided to completely subsidize all individual costs.
Punctuality & Gear: Be ready to go outside during any given class. Students who are not contextually prepared for current weather elements will receive an unexcused absence.
Tool Responsibility: Throughout this course, students handle utility tools for carving shelters and processing natural elements. Safety awareness is strictly non-negotiable.
Property Upkeep: If gear is intentionally broken outside regular environmental stress, students are financially responsible for component replacement.