ROE Mission Statement

The mission of the Recreation and Outdoor Education major is to prepare students for careers in recreation, outdoor education, or outdoor environmental education. This entails helping them cultivate knowledge and practical skills in the following areas: leadership and facilitation, educational techniques, written and oral communication, environmental awareness, philosophy and ethics, critical and creative thinking, program planning, problem solving, serving people with differing needs, and the ability to manage risk.

In addition, students are encouraged to gain specialized knowledge in recreation, outdoor leadership, or outdoor environmental education. High value is placed on experiential learning as well as field-based learning through participating in extended backcountry inter-semester expeditions (generally in January, May, August, and during Spring Break). All students majoring in Recreation and Outdoor Education must work or volunteer for a total of 600 hours within their chosen area of specialization within four years prior to graduation. The hours need to be garnered from at least two organizations, with no organization counting for more than 400 hours. There is a consecutive two-week backcountry minimum requirement with an industry leader for students pursuing an Outdoor Leadership or Outdoor Environmental Education emphases.  Additionally, students in these emphases will be required to become Leave No Trace Master Educators and Wilderness First Responders, both of which will aid in job placement.       

Excellence in this professional preparation is achieved through an interdisciplinary approach, which also incorporates public and private partnerships, experiential education, and our unique proximity to recreation facilities, land management agency offices, and extensive and remote public lands. 

Check out some of the successful business ventures designed and developed by graduates of the Recreation and Outdoor Education Program at Western:  This could be you! 

In the ROE Program, we form partnerships with local, regional, and national organizations to place students in internships and jobs following graduation.  You not only get an education, but real world experience with professional organizations:

A few of the partnerships we have formed in the ROE Program:

In addition to the traditional competencies and critical and creative thinking skills expected of all liberal arts students, those majoring in Recreation and Outdoor Education learn how the overall quality of life can be enhanced by the integration of appropriate leisure and educational activities. As well, students who graduate from the program gain confidence and leadership skills that can be applied in a variety of professional fields. Recreation and Outdoor Education majors pursue careers in many different areas. Options include employment with outdoor and environmental education centers, specialty outdoor training schools, municipal park and recreation departments, social services, land management agencies, military programs, student services in higher education, and commercial guiding operations, among others. With additional graduate work, even more options are available. 

Program Announcements:  www.western.edu/academics/recreation/olrm-program-announcements.html

Admission to the Program. All students who wish to major in Recreation and Outdoor Education must be formally admitted to the program. For admission, a student must: