Outdoor Recreation and Leadership

In the Outdoor Recreation and Leadership concentration students gain academic skills to organize, lead, and evaluate a variety of outdoor adventure programs.  Through coursework, the students will be exposed to a variety of adventure activities such as: backpacking, outdoor living skills, rock climbing, kayaking, canoeing, paddle boarding, ropes course facilitation, orienteering and caving. Academic courses are experiential in nature and emphasize leadership development with attention to risk management, environmental literacy, facilitation techniques, teaching methods and program management.  

Our History

Outdoor Recreation and Leadership encompasses a rich tradition at Radford University beginning in 1967 when the first campcraft class was offered.  In 1981, the curriculum shiften to an outdoor leadership preparation curriculum focused on adventure-based programming.  In 2012, it became the first accreditated program in the U.S. through the Wilderness Education Association.  Current faculty seek numerous opportunities for students to grow and learn.  

Career Opportunities 

There are diverse career opportunities in Outdoor Recreation and Leadership.  This includes state and national parks, resorts, outdoor education agencies, municipal parks, youth agencies and much more.  You could be hired as a wilderness guide, adventure therapist, nature center director, outdoor educator, park ranger, outdoor recreation planner, conservation officer or start your own outdoor recreation or ecotourism business. Jobs in recreation, parks, and tourism are projected to increase 24% in the next 10 years with a median salary of $30,000 annually.

Outdoor Recreation and Leadership Highlights:

  • The program focuses on developing your outdoor leadership skills through experiential learning and the outdoor industry's best practices.
  • A variety of courses are offered the provide experiential, hands-on, applicable learning including adventure programming, natural and cultural interpretation, outdoor living skills, and aerial adventure environments.
  • Students earn a variety of nationally and skill related certifications such as Leave No Trace Trainer and Wilderness First Responder.
  • Special Note:  All students in the Outdoor Recreation and Leadership program will have additional fees and personal equipment requirements.  

Major Course Requirements

The RCPT major fulfills the A and L areas of the REAL Curriculum. Students will study how leisure has shaped culture and its technical economical, and political significance in modern society. A full-semester internship will provide students with the opportunity to make practical use of principles, methods, knowledge, skills, and materials that have been developed or acquired in the academic program of study. Students concentrating in Outdoor Recreation and Leadership need majors/minors to fulfill the R and E areas to complete the REAL Curriculum requirements.

Certifications

You have the opportunity to obtain a number of certifications that are integrated into the course work for the concentration and minor. You will receive the Leave No Trace Trainer Certificate when enrolled in the Outdoor Living Skills class. Another opportunity exists to obtain Wilderness First Responder (WFR) training through SOLO. Upon successful completion, you will receive a national certification recognized by all potential employers. You will receive your Project Learning Tree certificates to strengthen your ability to teach a variety of environmental education topics. Successfully completing both aerial adventure classes affords you the ability to earn your level 1 and level 2 RU ABLE Challenge Course Facilitator certifications. These in-house certifications allow you to become a lead facilitator for our challenge course program.

Campus Resources

You will be able to build technical skills and leadership abilities. For example, you may be employed through RU Outdoors, the adventure programming component of campus recreation. Many of our students serve as trip leaders for RU Outdoors or facilitate the indoor climbing wall located in Peters Hall.

RU ABLE, an experiential learning lab, offers ropes course experiences, team building activities, and adventure-based trips for people of all abilities and ages. Through RU ABLE, you can operate an indoor and outdoor high ropes course, helix climbing tower, and dual ziplines. These facilities serve as the primary classroom for two classes: RCPT 421 - Introduction to Aerial Adventure Environments and RCPT 441 - Advanced Facilitation Techniques.  You work your way from an apprenticeship level to senior facilitator.

Radford University operates the Selu Conservancy, which is located fifteen minutes from the main campus and provides a variety of outdoor and environmental opportunities. Selu has 380 acres of forest and grasslands and is named after the Cherokee Grandmother Corn Spirit. Outdoor Recreation students have participated in the construction of several trails, and operate a low ropes course for Selu guests.

 

Caving Group