Outdoor Leadership

The Outdoor Leadership concentration within the Kinesiology and Physical Education major provides students with the knowledge and tools necessary to safely and successfully lead outdoor adventures for groups of all ages in different environments. This program prepares those who are passionate about the outdoors for a variety of rewarding careers connecting individuals to the natural environment.

Program Highlights

  • Students earn multiple nationally recognized certifications in wilderness and recreation safety
  • Students can dive into their passions through self-directed courses at other University of Maine System campuses or around the country/abroad through travel study coursework
  • Graduates are positioned for careers at nonprofit, schools and other organizations offering experiential education, or endeavors that involve wilderness travel and field work.

About

Lecturer in outdoor leadership Lauren Jacobs instructs students in KPE 280: Introduction to Paddling Instruction and Safety.

The University of Maine outdoor leadership program takes advantage of the state’s diverse and spectacular landscape to help students develop strong leadership and outdoor activity skills. Maine’s outdoor resources serve as both classroom and teacher, preparing students for a variety of outdoor-oriented careers. Whether you complete the four-year outdoor leadership concentration within the Kinesiology and Physical Education major, or the 19-credit minor, you’ll gain the confidence and knowledge needed to safely lead outdoor activities for different groups in different environments.

Highlights of the program include:

  • Paddling: Canoeing, kayaking, stand-up paddle boarding
  • Climbing: Bouldering, rock climbing, challenge course participation
  • Winter sports: Snowshoeing, cross-country skiing
  • Trail sports: Hiking, orienteering, mountain biking

Core Courses

The seven courses in the outdoor leadership minor also form the core of our four-year program. All outdoor leadership students will earn industry-standard certifications, including Wilderness First Responder and Swift Water Rescue. Students can take advantage of UMaine’s connections to community and on-campus resources, including Maine Bound Adventure Center, the New Balance Student Recreation Center and local nonprofit and education groups. Core courses include:

  • Outdoor Pursuits and Adventure Activities
  • Outdoor Leadership and Facilitation
  • Paddling Instruction and Safety
  • Wilderness First Responder
  • Advanced Methods of Teaching Outdoor Activities
  • Ethics and Social Justice in Outdoor Leadership
  • Field Experience

The four-year program is interdisciplinary and builds off of the core curriculum. It includes coursework in education, exercise science, leadership studies, and natural resources. Highlights of this program include:

  • Science courses in Biology, Human Anatomy and Natural Resources
  • Interdisciplinary courses in Maine Studies
  • Leadership theory courses
  • Nutrition and Exercise Science
  • Human Development and Educational Theory

In addition, the four-year program allows students to dive into their passions in two ways. First, through 12 credits of self-directed study in skill- or experience-intensive outdoor coursework, students can travel to other UMaine System campuses to experience different environments or activities not offered at the flagship campus in Orono. For example, the University of Maine at Machias is located right on the beautiful Maine coast, and offers sea-based skills courses. Another option is for students to pursue a semester of outdoor studies in another part of the country or abroad.

The second student-driven component of our program is the capstone internship. This experience, designed by the student and supported by staff, allows every individual to gain valuable experience in a setting that will help them further their career or educational goals.

Careers in Outdoor Leadership

Students who complete either the outdoor leadership concentration in kinesiology and physical education or the minor in outdoor leadership will be prepared to work in a variety of fields and settings. Graduates are positioned for careers in nonprofit outdoor and experiential education settings, school-based physical and outdoor education, and other endeavors that involve wilderness travel and field work.

Be an “outdoor champion,” and guide others toward the benefits of living a life outdoors…

Join UMaine’s outdoor leadership program today!

Professional Learning Outcomes

Graduates of UMaine’s Outdoor Leadership programs will be able to:

  • Plan and facilitate meaningful outdoor activity experiences for diverse participants
  • Demonstrate strong technical skills in a variety of outdoor activities and in different environmental settings
  • Make skilled and thoughtful risk management decisions
  • Demonstrate dynamic, effective leadership skills — including the giving and receiving of feedback — with both participants and colleagues
  • Be active participants in building a more just, ethical and inclusive field of outdoor leadership and education

To Apply

Applying for admission to the University of Maine is easy. Just go to go.umaine.edu/apply/

For information about joining the Outdoor Leadership minor:

Lauren Jacobs, Senior Lecturer in Outdoor Leadership
207.581.4930
lauren.jacobs@maine.edu