Parks, Recreation, and Tourism:Adventure and Outdoor Programing

Steven HendriksUniversity of Utah

What is AOP?

• Adventure and Outdoor Programing degrees deal with many outdoor programs for kids as well as adults.

• These programs can help teach participants how to use a variety of skills in the field as well as real life.

• There are a few organizations like NOLS or Outward Bound that are Outdoor Adventure Programs.

Why Parks, Recreation, and Tourism?

• PRT is a wonderful area of study because it can help so many people out in a variety of ways.

• PRT also helps with many health issues that Americans face each year.

• It also helps local economy's all over the world by bringing in tourism to the area.

Adventure and Outdoor Programing

AOP is usually taught in outdoor settings because it’s a powerful tool that is used to help students retain the information.

Photo: Steven Hendriks

There are also many different teaching styles and techniques that you will learn in order to facilitate teachings

Schooling and Career Work

Schooling• This major takes about

4 years to complete along with two internships that the students must complete

• The two internships consist of one small and one large at different organizations

Career Work• There are many job

opportunities that could arise once you have completed the degree.(NOLS, Outward Bound, Wilderness Therapy, etc.)

• Starting Salary is usually around $20,000 a year.

My Career PathAfter I graduate, I would like to work in Avalanche education an teach others how to be safe in the back country. I also would like to teach winter camping skills and techniques.

Photo: Steven Hendriks

Other components of AOP

• In this emphasis area, you are considered to be an outdoor educator. This means that you are essentially a teacher, but in an outdoor setting.

• There are a number of ways that you can continue to improve your teaching styles to better the chances of your students retaining the knowledge.

• There are many things like games, activities, and hands on learning to ensure your particiapants understand.

Characteristics of a Good Facilitator

In being an outdoor educator you must be a person who is willing to throw yourself out there. You also must need to be a person who is outgoing, confident, positive attitude, and willing to put in 100 percent in everything you do.

Photo: Steven Hendriks

Benefits to Your lifeThere are many benefits of being and outdoor leader. The first one is getting to spent time out in nature teaching people. Another one is being in good physical and mental shape. The last one is keeping up on social skills.

Photo: Steven Hendriks

More Information

If you or someone you know is interested in pursing a career path in this field there are a number of ways that you can get more information. The University of Utah has a great website that provides a great deal of information regarding PRT. Their website can provide you with contacts where you can either ask questions or set up appointments in order to answer your questions more thoroughly.