Outdoor Leadership & Education

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Program Overview

Why Study Outdoor Leadership & Education

The Outdoor Leadership & Education major combines adventure, wilderness, camping, and environmental education into one unique program of study. Students in the Outdoor Leadership & Education major will gain a basic understanding of outdoor leadership and education, develop specific skills, competencies, and points of view needed by outdoor leadership and education professionals, and grow in expressing oneself orally or in writing in outdoor leadership and education contexts.

Students will be able to research, design and carryout outdoor education programs that will be safe, challenging, and rewarding. Because of the emphasis put on a premier Christian education, the program will prepare students to provide innovative outdoor programs with cultural sensitivity and a well-grounded biblical worldview.

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Minors:
  • Ministry Leadership
  • Youth Ministry
  • Pastoral Ministries
  • Church Planting
  • Ecology & Environmental Science
  • Sustainable Community Development
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Degree Layout

Outdoor Leadership & Education Courses

The Outdoor Leadership & Education major is a 126 hour program that includes 69 hours of general education courses (including 30 hours of Bible & Theology), 15 hours of open electives, and 42 hours in Outdoor Leadership & Education-specific courses.

Featured Courses:

  • Rock Climbing
  • Camp Programming & Leadership
  • Backcountry Travel & Leadership
  • Risk Management & Emergency Response
  • Expedition Planning & Management
  • Organization & Administration for Outdoor Ministry
Steve Buffington

Testimonial

My time in the Outdoor Leadership and Education department at TFC was an amazing and challenging experience mostly due to the excellent leadership we had in place. Instructors put a lot of emphasis on risk management, which is a skill that transcends the classroom and my profession into multiple areas of life. Since graduating, I’ve moved out to Santa Cruz, CA where I’m able to do outdoor ministry in my church through mountain biking and surfing.
Steve Buffington, Class of 2018
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Career Options

What can you do with an Outdoor Leadership & Education degree?

When you earn a degree in Outdoor Leadership & Education, you will find that there are many career opportunities available to you. Graduates are qualified for a wide range of jobs, such as:

Camp Director

Many graduates from this program go on to serve as a camp director or programmer. These positions are responsible for the administration and planning of yearlong and/or summer camp programs.

Community Program Director

These positions are responsible for developing recreational programs for a specific community. Graduates from Outdoor Leadership & Education would be prepared to develop, implement, and evaluate a beneficial plan for their community.

Outdoor Adventure Guide

A common path for these graduates are to pursue a career as an outdoor adventure guide. These positions organize and conduct expeditions for guests and communities.

Recreation & Sports Director

Many communities or churches have positions dedicated to the organization and administration of recreation and sport for the sake of building community and outreach.

Meet the Professors

Ministry Leadership

Thumbnail for Dr. Russell L. Huizing
Thumbnail for Dr. Philip T. Howard