Outdoor Education and Leadership

Increasing numbers of people go into the wilderness for recreation and education, as well as for personal growth and teambuilding. This has created a need for skilled and informed professionals to facilitate the interaction between people and the natural environment—both to enhance the individual learning experience and to protect and interpret the wilderness.

Sterling’s Outdoor Education and Leadership program combines the study of educational and leadership theory and practice with technical outdoor travel and adventure skills. Students also explore issues ranging from ethical controversies and risk management to program design. Students gain a solid background in ecology, environmental science, and recreational resource management.

Coursework includes rock-climbing, flat-water and whitewater canoeing, cross-country and backcountry skiing, map and compass navigation, low-impact backcountry travel and camping in all seasons, and ropes-course management. More importantly, students learn to lead, teach, and facilitate these activities, while modeling and inspiring sustainable environmental practices. Through internships, volunteerism, work experiences, and Sterling’s experiential education courses, students gain experience teaching and leading groups. Both the hands-on nature of our program and our setting in Vermont's rural Northeast Kingdom create a dynamic and engaging environment for studying Outdoor Education and Leadership.

Graduates majoring in Outdoor Education and Leadership have found employment with a variety of educational and adventure based programs. Among these are Outward Bound, Project Adventure, the Vermont Institute of Natural Science, the Farm School, and Proctor Academy.

Sterling will grant credit for National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS) semester courses and some Stonehearth Open Learning Opportunities (SOLO) courses

Recent Internship Sites

Recent Senior Capstone Projects

Link to the Academic Catalog to Review Degree Requirements