Outdoor Adventure Leadership, BA/BS

A degree in Outdoor Adventure Leadership (OAL) inspires passion, drive, transformation; teaches technical abilities, judgment, interpersonal skills; and gives graduates the capacity to change the way people think, feel, and perform. In short, the OAL degree teaches students to lead any group, in any setting, to any end. At this very moment, OAL majors at SOU are completing internships, practicum experiences, and gaining vital skills throughout the world and in our very own backyard of Southern Oregon. All of these students share a common thread: they love to explore and embrace the expeditionary mindset, ready to tackle the difficulties and enjoy the rewards of any grand expedition.

While the OAL degree and expeditionary mindset can take you to the far corners of the Earth, the foundation starts with accepting the unknown, getting comfortable with the uncomfortable and embracing the spirit of adventure. The OAL curriculum dives into the very essences of these themes with a combination of theory and hands-on experience. OAL students complete the general requirement for a BS or BA degree, but also spend hundreds of hours whitewater rafting and kayaking, climbing rock faces, backcountry skiing, mountaineering and surviving off the land.

The natural environment of Southern Oregon provides the perfect classroom for students to explore their mental and physical abilities. On any given outing, students will endure long hours of travel, scorching heat, blowing snow, endless rain and everything else mother nature can muster. Combine these conditions with group dynamics and you have the perfect laboratory for exploring and pushing past your comfort zone. Over time these students will adapt to changing plans, fix problems that arise, ask for help, accept defeat and overcome loss. Above all they will be overwhelmed by the beauty of nature, the kindness of people, the strength of their body and their boundless spirit to explore.

One of the hallmarks of adventure education includes deep reflection. OAL students accomplish this by incorporating their personal adventures and life experiences with the foundations of adventure leadership ideology. They study the work of Kurt Hahn, the founder of Outward Bound, Mihály Csíkszentmihályi’s theory of flow, marvel at Ernest Shackleton’s epic journey, contemplate the survival stories of mountaineer Joe Simpson and sailor Steven Callahan; and learn about pioneers like Arlene Blum who lead the first women’s team up Denali and Annapurna I. The aspiring explorers learn to record their own exploits through adventure writing, photography, logbooks, developing a personal web site and presenting their work in public venues. Students receive internationally recognized certifications and training in various outdoor activities, like scuba diving and rock climbing. As scholars, they attend international conferences, learning the latest theories and practices of their field and complete an in-depth research paper.

Spring Immersion
OAL majors further test their skills and build confidence by completing the required intensive spring quarter, spending over 35 days in the field. Student plan and execute multiple expeditions, ranging from 4 to 10 days in the field. Spring in the Pacific Northwest presents the perfect environment, starting with the deep spring snowpack for winter exploration, then transitioning to water activities such as rafting and kayaking, and culminating in mountain bike, multi-day rafting and backpacking excursions. OAL students graduate with the confidence and experience to follow their passion and dreams, shaping the lives they were born to live.

Summer International Expeditions
Each student also has the opportunity to plan and participate on an extended international expedition every summer. Past trips have taken us to Nepal, Australia, New Zealand, East Africa, and during the Summer of 2021, there will be two separate destinations. One expedition will travel to Nepal to trek sections of the Himalayas and raft the Kali Gandaki river. The other expedition will backpack along the spine of the Andes through the heart of Ecuador. Students completing the summer international expedition receive 12 upper-division credits. The international program at SOU, led by professors with a combined 60 years of international guiding experience to over 100 countries, gives students the opportunity to expand beyond the US border. Dr. Chad Thatcher’s dissertation, International Learning Adventures: A phenomenological exploration of international backpacker style study abroad, uncovered four main themes students experience on international expeditions. First, backpacker-style expeditions led to a sense of exploration, adventure, fun, and serendipity. Second, students increased their global perspective and awareness. Third, the participants experienced significant personal growth. And finally, the participants expressed feeling connected with the world and other cultures, leading to a kind of transformation in their thinking and attitude towards other cultures, themselves, the environment, and life in general. The OAL international experience gives graduates the confidence to expand their adventures to all parts of the planet.

See Course Requirements

Specialized Training and Certifications:

• Avalanche I (American Institute for Avalanche Research & Education[AIARE])
• Ski/Snowboard Instructor (Professional Ski Instructors of America[PSIA]/American Association for Snowboard Instructors[AASI])
• Open Water Diver (SCUBA Educators International[SEI]/Confédération Mondiale des Activités Subaquatiques[CMAS])
• Advanced Open Water Diver (SEI/CMAS)
• Dive Rescue and Accident Management (SEI/CMAS)
• Divemaster (SEI/CMAS)
• Open Water SCUBA Instructor (SEI/CMAS)
• Whitewater Kayaker Level 1-4 (American Canoe Association[ACA])
• Challenge Course Facilitator (Association for Challenge Course Technology[ACCT])
• Zip Line Guide (ACCT)
• Wilderness First Responder (NOLS [WFR])
• Minimal Impact Adventuring (Southern Oregon University [MIA])