From outdoor leadership to camp management to environmental awareness, our program covers every dimension of outdoor education. Numerous opportunities for practical experience complement our curriculum.
Exceptional Faculty
Professors Amy DiRenzo, Charles Yaple and Anderson Young teach many courses in this concentration. They have held leadership positions with the North American Association for Experiential Education, the Coalition for Education in the Outdoors and the Association of Outdoor Recreation and Education. They also are published authors and boast a wealth of experience with programs such as Outward Bound, the Wilderness Education Association and Leave No Trace.
Get involved outside of the classroom with Outdoor Pursuits
Housed in the Student Life Center, this hub of activity strives to bring students into the outdoors. The office is open seven days a week, overseeing various trips, workshops, outdoor gear rental, the Cortland Bike Project and the climbing/bouldering wall. Monthly trips take students backpacking, kayaking, camping and even skydiving.
Environmental and Outdoor Education Program Highlights
Located in the heart of the Adirondack Mountains, the William H. Parks Family Center for Environmental and Outdoor Education at Raquette Lake stretches more than 400 acres and is the only National Historic Landmark in the SUNY system. This educational site applies to many different disciplines and provides a natural environment for hands-on learning.
Internship Capstone Experience
Most students choose to cap their study with an internship experience that integrates theory with practice under the supervision of a SUNY Cortland faculty member and a professional in the field. Sites range from the National Park Service, YMCAs or YWCAs to retirement communities, parks and recreation agencies, rehabilitation clinics, outdoor leadership and wilderness trip providers, challenge courses or private recreation companies.
Career Potential in Outdoor Ed
Our graduates direct university outdoor pursuits programs, lead trips for the National Outdoor Leadership School, guide clients on Adirondack whitewater trips and teach outdoor education in schools. They serve in management positions with state and federal agencies such as the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, New York State Parks and the U.S. Forest Service. They also teach in local parks and nature centers or direct summer camps and retreat centers.
