Recreation & Outdoor Education

Transcript

All right, it’s time to talk with Julianne about one of Western’s most unique majors, recreation and outdoor education. In the heart of the Rockies, it’s hard to think of a better place to learn how to support people who want to get outside on foot, skis, bikes, rafts, and climbing ropes. With her true passion for the outdoors, there’s no better person to speak about this program. Take it away.

– I appreciate it, Alex. Ever since seventh grade, I’ve wanted to work as an outdoor educator. After discovering Western Colorado University’s Recreation Outdoor Education, or ROE Program, I knew this was the place for me. I wanted to go to school in a place where I could really explore, and here, I fell in love with the beauty of the valley. The ROE Program differed from other schools because of the many different emphasis fields. Studying outdoor education specifically, as opposed to only recreation, really drew me in. I didn’t want a education solely in the classroom, and Western allowed me to get out and get hands-on. As part of an ROE degree, students take different field-based courses that are done in the weeks before and after school. Gunnison Valley provides an awesome backdrop for these courses, with recreation opportunities in all four seasons, ranging from mountain biking to ski mountaineering. In my first field-based course, I skied for the first time. Being from an area with no snow, I was terrified. My classmates and faculty guided me through the whole way. Standing at the top of the mountain, I felt a sense of accomplishment for pushing myself to a whole new level. Our outside curriculum is spectacular. Our inside learning is just as amazing. Our faculty brings in years of experience in the outdoor industry to help guide you to your dream job. I recently took an interpretation of natural and cultural history class taught by an interpretive park ranger for the National Park Service. Now, my goal is to be a park ranger as well. Being at Western has allowed me to grow in ways I could not have imagined, pushed me to step outside my comfort zone. Hope to see y’all around campus one day. I’ll see you at the parks, Alex.

– With access to over 2 million acres of public land, 750 miles of single track trails, two ski resorts within 45 miles of campus, and even an on-campus gear rental shop, Western ROE students truly have a learning experience like none other. Thanks again, Julianne.