The Maine Question: What career opportunities exist in the outdoor recreation industry?
Maine is known as Vacationland to lovers of outdoor recreation from around the world. An industry grew out of Mainers’ and tourists’ passion for hiking, biking, kayaking, skiing and other outside pastimes, and it generates $3 billion in economic activity for the state. The Outdoor Leadership program at UMaine was created to take advantage of this opportunity.
Working with an existing program at the University of Maine at Machias and University of Maine Cooperative Extension 4-H camps, this new program is preparing students for careers in tourism, education and other fields that pertain to outside activities and learning. In the latest episode of “The Maine Question,” host Ron Lisnet heads outside for a roundtable discussion that explores the outdoor recreation industry. Guests include:
- Lauren Jacobs, lecturer of outdoor leadership, University of Maine College of Education and Human Development
- Karen Beeftink, associate professor and program coordinator, University of Maine at Machias Recreation and Tourism Management Program
- Ryder Scott, executive director, University of Maine 4-H Centers
- Chris Bartram, assistant director, Maine Bound Adventure Center
Listen to the episode and read the transcript at UMaine News, or on Soundcloud. Learn more at the Outdoor Leadership program page, and check out the Outdoor Leadership Curriculum website created by students in the program.