Monday, November 30, 2009

Sunday, November 29, 2009

Thanksgiving weekend mountain fun
















More of my adventures, Enjoy










Justin

Friday, November 27, 2009

ATV Fun on Thanksgiving Day
















Enjoy these pics of me tearin it up on the ATV!!

Monday, November 23, 2009

OE CLass first to use new ropes course

The Challenge Course Facilitation class spring Friday, November 20 up at the A.L. Mickelson Field Station participating in, and learning about the new ropes course. With the new course up and running, it was the perfect time to bring students up to use and learn about the course. This course differs from the one at the college as it is a static ropes course. In other words, once the participants are up in the course, they are there until they are finished.

This type of course is run differently then the dynamic course on campus, where participants are belayed individually on each element, and when finished are lowered to the ground. The students experienced all the elements as well as took turns acting as a facilitator for the rest of the class. They learned about the intricacies of this course, risk management concerns and more. One of the major concerns for facilitators is being able to safely and completely observe multiple people at one time.

Participants are self belayed through the use of "Lobster Claws", so the facilitator must at all times be cognizant of what is happening to each participant and themselves. A highlight is the finish. We once again have a Zip-line for participants, the final element of the course, and the element used for participants to get back to the ground. Below are a few photos from the day.

Tuesday, November 17, 2009

Outdoor Ed Major helps teach in Hawaii!

This spring break, the Humanities Field Studies: Hawaii trip will be travelling to the islands again for 10 days. While out, students will enjoy surf kayaking, snorkeling, 3 days of backpacking along with a immersion into a new culture and provides community service to local population. Sound like fun?

This year, for the benefit of the course, as well as one lucky student, the class will have an Outdoor Education & Recreation Leadership student join them to assist with the class and gain first hand experience on a large scale adventure. Not only will they be able to gain experience travelling, they will have the opportunity of a life time assisting with the instruction of the course, logistical planning, and facilitating of trip too add to their repertoire of knowledge and skills, as well as their resume.

Again, Northwest College has proven the willingness to provide our students with exceptional opportunities to gain real world experience. Opportunities that will help students grow and foster future professionals who are ready and willing to contribute with a solid background in skill and experience.

This spring will set the stage for future students and classes. We hope to continue this program, giving at least one Outdoor Education major the opportunity to assist with the Spring Break Hawaii class. This will also create a template where we will be able to offer the same opportunity for additional students who excel and are willing to put forth the energy and motivation required to benefit from the program.

Wednesday, November 11, 2009

Enrollments

Enrollments in Outdoor Education continue to rise. We have been blessed by having an increase in Outdoor majors over the past 2 years and it shows in the number of students registering for our classes. Advisiing day and registration for spring 2010 courses took place yesterday which showed that we will continue on this trend. It looks like we will have another good semester getting the oppertunity to take a number of NWC students out into the wild where they can enjoy new expereinces, learn skills and techniques and continue to grow in order to become outstanding Outdoor Educators!!

mountain pics
















Saturday, November 7, 2009

sierra nevadas
















Awesome pics from my 2 month journey in the sierra nevadas of california. Including from the summit of Mt. Whitney 14,500 ft.
Justin

mountain scenery
















Check out these beautiful pics. Enjoy

Mountain adventures
















Here some pics for you all to enjoy.

More fun
















More pics from mountain trips.

Thursday, November 5, 2009

Adv. Fundamentals of Outdoor Eucation Course Added

The outdoor program is happy to announce the addtion of the new Advanced Fundamentals of Outdoor Education class. This course is specifically designed for students who have completed the OEPR 2250 Outdoor Leadership class and are looking for additional experience facilitating, leading, and teaching outdoor programs. It is also offered for current DELTA facilitators who are faciliting on the challenge course to provide additional training and challenge course leadership skills.

Students enrolled in the course will assist with basic level activity based courses and teach specific topics of certain activities. Students will get first hand experience in the outdoor setting planning, implementing, and evaluating lessons and other students.

Students will work with the course instructor to create lesson plans and design teaching methods approariate for the activity and/or topic. They will gain evaluation from the course instructor, instructor of the activity they are assiting with, and from the students and participants of the programs they are working for.

For questions about the course, please contact the Outdoor Education & Recreation Leadership Program Director at 307-754-6115 or keith.mccallister@northwestcollege.edu.