Outdoor Leadership and Resort Management

 A student who successfully completes a Outdoor Leadership & Resort Management Major has participated in exemplary training in both the fundamental concepts involved in the recreation field and their practical applications. Principles include philosophy, basic psychomotor skills, leadership, environmental ethics, ecosystem management, entrepreneurship, program planning, facility and personnel management, and internship experience. In addition, the student is encouraged to gain specialized knowledge in either ski and resort management or outdoor leadership and instruction.

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 the wilderness environment. Outdoor Leadership & Resort Management majors can individualize their studies by articulating with other fields, such as biology, economics, environmental studies, sociology, and business administration. In addition to the traditional competencies and critical thinking skills expected of all liberal arts students, those majoring in Outdoor Leadership & Resort Management learn how the overall quality of life can be enhanced by the integration of appropriate leisure activities.

Outdoor Leadership & Resort Management majors have pursued careers in many different areas. Options include commercial resorts, retail business, municipal park and recreation departments, social services, military programs, outdoor and environmental education centers, specialty outdoor training schools, student services in higher education, and commercial guiding operations. With additional graduate work, even more options are available.

A successful Western graduate has the knowledge, critical thinking skills, confidence, leadership ability, environmental responsibility, and global awareness that make a variety of pursuits accessible.

Admission to the Program. All students who wish to major or minor in Outdoor Leadership & Resort Management must be formally admitted to the program. Students must be accepted in the program before registering for upper-division Recreation courses.

For admission, a student must:

1. have demonstrated a minimum competency by completing OLRM 182 Introduction to Leisure and Recreation, OLRM 189 Principles of Outdoor Recreation, OLRM 220 Computer Applications in Recreation, OLRM 283 Recreation Leadership, and ENG 102 Academic Writing, each with a “C” or better and a major/minor GPA of, at least, 2.50.

2. submit an application to the program (see advisor for details).