Department of Physical Education and Recreation

PER Course Number: 239

Semester Hours: 3 SH

Frequency of Offering: Every semester

Course Title: Outdoor Pursuits

Catalog Description: An overview of the theory and practice of

adventure/challenge education. Classroom as well as experiential

involvement.

YES, this is an existing course previously approved by A2C2.

NO, this is not a new course proposal.

Outdoor Pursuits is a three-credit course which fulfills the Physical

Development and Wellness requirement in the WSU University Studies Program.

Through the introduction of safe but challenging outdoor activities (e.g. rock climbing, ropes courses, rappelling, kayaking, scuba, snow shoeing, orienteering, etc.), this course provides students with the opportunities to grow intra- and interpersonally while simultaneously enhancing their physical fitness and repertoire of leisure activities.

In addition to the experiential aspects of this class students are exposed to the foundational and theoretical aspects of adventure education.

As required by the WSU University Studies approval process, all accepted Physical Development and Wellness courses must lead to a set of pre-determined outcomes. Further, the Department must specify the means through which these outcomes will be obtained (see below).

Outcome #1: learn skills that will improve the quality and length of their lives

Through hands-on participation in Outdoor Pursuits (OP), students are exposed to a variety of Outdoor Activities with fitness/wellness enhancing potential. The instructors of OP classes have noted that students frequently elect to continue participation in one or more of the OP activities introduced long after the course has ended. This indicates a

shift from extrinsic to intrinsic motivation. When a movement-based activity becomes intrinsically rewarding for an individual, he/she is much more likely to participate in that activity on a regular and consistent basis. Regular and consistent participation in a movement-based activity can improve one's general level of fitness which in turn, contributes to the quality and length of one's life.

In OP students are exposed to, and participate in "initiative programming." Simply stated, initiatives are problem solving activities or games that require communication, cooperation, compromise and trust. Students who become proficient in the skills of communication, cooperation, compromise and trust are likely to experience greater levels of social interaction success. This in turn enhances one's quality of life.

Outcome #2: make proactive choices that lead to a healthier lifestyle

As a result of a recent WSU Outdoor Adventure Center feasibility study conducted by Dr. Smith's marketing class, it was discovered that students perceive a lack of weekend recreational opportunities in the Winona area. For many, "hanging out at the bars" has become a weekend tradition. Through the introduction of an array of stimulating adventure based alternatives to "hanging out at the bars" students will begin to perceive a greater number of weekend options and selecting these options will contribute to the development of a healthier leisure lifestyle.

Outcome #5: understanding health as multidimensional involving the whole person's relationship to the total environment

Group processing, individualized reflection and a synthesis of readings and personal experiences with, the adventure based activities introduced are components of every OP class. These activities assist the student in exploring the interrelationships between physical and emotional health and the environment.

and provide relaxation, socialization and balance their lives

The text and lecture materials utilized in this class acquaint students with the means through which adventure education can provide stress reduction, socialization, and other leisure and wellness related objectives. Additionally safety lectures and demonstrations pertaining to the outdoor skills introduced, mock court trials, and case studies are utilized to encourage a safety consciousness among the OP participants.

Outcome #8: enhance creative use of leisure time

The skills introduced in OP could be thought of as "non-traditional" activities. The vast majority of students who enroll in OP classes have had no previous experience with more than one or two of the Outdoor skills introduced in class. Whenever a student is introduced to a new activity skill area, his/her repertoire of leisure opportunities is enhanced. Having a larger repertoire of leisure activities from which to select may well

serve to enhance the student's creative use of leisure time.

Outcome #9: develop skills consistent with efficient levels of human movement

The outdoor activity skills introduced in OP place physical demands upon the individual. Through course participation and practice, students will gain increased proficiencies in the various outdoor skill areas and these increased proficiencies will lead to more efficient levels of human movement.

the impact of those choices on self, others and the environment.

In Outdoor Pursuits, the "Challenge by Choice" philosophy is both discussed in detail and applied in the hands-on sessions. Challenge by choice infers that as long as other individuals and/or the environment are not harmed through the choices one makes, an individual has the personal right and responsibility to determine his/her own levels or intensity of involvement in the activities and/or challenges introduced.

This is a 3 credit University Studies course that satisfies the "Physical Development and Wellness" component of the student's Basic Studies program. Designated U Studies outcomes for this course are listed below. Additionally, the U. Studies outcome-related, learning activities/topics/objectives are referenced within the text of the

syllabus.

Outcome #1: learn skills that will improve the quality and length of their lives

Outcome #2: make proactive choices that lead to a healthier lifestyle

Outcome #5: understanding health as multidimensional involving the whole person's relationship to the

total environment

Outcome #6: utilize physical activity to reduce risk of illness and injury and provide relaxation,

socialization and balance their lives

Outcome #8: enhance creative use of leisure time

Outcome #9: develop skills consistent with efficient levels of human movement

Outcome #10: become accountable for their health and leisure choices and the impact of those choices

PER 239 Outdoor Pursuits

Instructor: Lorene Olson - 125 Memorial Hall

lolson@winona.edu

Telephone: 457-5499

Course Description

1. Catalog Description

An overview of theory and practice of adventure/challenge education.

Classroom as well as experiential involvement.

2. Course Objectives

(Note: The three digit numbers after some objectives refer to related NRPA

standards and the single digit numbers refer to the University Studies

Outcomes)

As a result of readings, class discussion and participation in Outdoor