Curriculum.

Degree Requirements.

Check here if you are having trouble downloading and viewing PDF forms.

This is a rigorous college degree program. Much of the time you will spend learning theory and technical information in the classroom. We have combined a strong academic core of transferable courses with a wide variety of recreation, physical activity and orientation courses to give you the experience and the knowledge you need to become an outdoor recreation leader.

First year.
These classes are more technical. They provides a strong foundation of knowledge in the classroom and the technical skills necessary to lead in the outdoors. During this year, the study of leadership development, writing and computers is combined with outdoor skills courses.

Second year.
You will learn how to program, staff, budget and lead successful outdoor recreation activities. Hands-on courses will help you assess the skill levels of students, master winter camping survival, lead groups and design programs for safety. You will also learn how to market and coordinate your activities, minimize environmental impact and coordinate with agencies who issue permits.

Block System Schedule.
The ORL Program is organized into a blocked-class schedule. This means when students take field, intensive medical, or orientation courses, they do not have to get out of their regularly-scheduled academic classes. ORL courses are instead organized into blocks of field classes and academic classes that are arranged in the semester so they do not overlap. The field courses are organized into what we call "Skills Blocks" that include the basic, intermediate, and expedition leadership courses of the same skill area into one, longer (2-week) trip where students live, eat, and breathe that skill. The finals are taken within the block so when they get back to campus, nothing interferes with their studies.

Students coming to CMC with lots of transfer credits or those with previous college degrees will have the choice of taking the same courses as block students but the academic courses are conducted on a full-semester basis and the field courses are conducted on the weekends and school holidays.

Special Certifications.
When you graduate from this college degree program you will also have the following certifications: Wilderness First Responder; CPR; Lifeguard Training.