Outdoor Education

Description: Introduction to canoeing and canoe camping with an emphasis on building fundamental canoe skills. Develop basic knowledge and skills necessary for safe and comfortable canoe travel/camping while minimizing environmental impacts. 

Course Objectives: 

• Demonstrate the ability to canoe, eat, sleep, and exist in an outdoor environment with minimal impact on the environment. 
• Demonstrating the ability to demonstrate control and efficient paddling in moving water.  This includes paddling in a straight line going forward and reverse, catching and leaving eddies and an introduction to ferry across current. 
• Describe and demonstrate proper use of equipment related to canoeing and camping. 
• To be able to identify and describe the 4 W’s that represent hazards associated with paddle sports. 

Credit Hours: 1 

Grading Option: Pass/No Pass 

Course and Laboratory Fee: $150

Fall 2026 Dates:  

• Class Dates/Times: Thursdays, 2:00-4:00pm 9/3-9/24 
• Field Experience: Afternoon 9/25-Evening 9/27 

Course Dates/Meeting Times: This course meets over 4 class sessions, located on campus and off campus. Transportation to off-campus locations is provided when necessary.  

Required Field Experience: This course involves a required overnight field experience to practice and apply learning. The field experience will consist of a two-night canoeing and camping trip along the Niobrara River in Nebraska (Location subject to change due to weather/park conditions) 

Pre-requisites: There are no pre-requisites 

Provided & Required Materials: Transportation to and from class sessions and field experience sites will be provided by Outdoor Adventures in University vehicles. All canoeing and camping gear (canoes, paddles, life jackets, tents, sleeping bags, headlamp, cooking gear, and first aid kit), food, and compass/maps will be provided by Outdoor Adventures. You will need to provide your own personal clothing items. 

Description: The goal of this introductory course is to provide a foundation for rock climbing which will allow the student to climb indoors comfortably. This course will also foster an appreciation for climbing as a collection of many different disciplines and skills. 

Course Objectives: 

• Demonstrate the ability to tie appropriate knots for various climbing situations such as: tying a climber into a rope 
• Describe and demonstrate proper use and choice of equipment related to climbing. 
• Demonstrate basic knowledge of safety principles necessary to minimize risk while climbing. 
• Demonstrate common climbing movements and techniques.   

Credit Hours: 1 

Grading Option: Pass/No Pass 

Course and Laboratory Fee: $175

Fall 2026 Dates:  

• Section 951 
  • Class Dates/Times: Mondays, 8:30-10:15am 11/2-12/7 
  • Field Experience: Morning 12/6 
• Section 952 
  • Class Dates/Times: Tuesdays, 8:30-10:15am 11/3-12/8 
  • Field Experience: Morning 12/6 
• Section 953 
  • Class Dates/Times: Wednesdays, 8:30-10:15am 11/4-12/9 
  • Field Experience: Morning 12/6 
• Section 954 
  • Class Dates/Times: Thursdays, 8:30-10:15am 11/5-12/10 
  • Field Experience: Morning 12/6 

Course Dates/Meeting Times: This course meets over 5 class sessions, located on campus.  

Required Field Experience: This course involves a required half-day field experience to practice and apply learning. The field experience will occur at the Outdoor Adventure Center.  

Pre-requisites: There are no pre-requisites. 

Provided & Required Materials: All climbing gear (harness, shoes, and chalk) will be provided by Outdoor Adventures. There are no required materials.  

Description: Introduction to whitewater kayaking with an emphasis on building whitewater kayak skills. Will develop knowledge and skills necessary to navigate Class II whitewater while minimizing environmental impacts. 

Course Objectives: 

• Demonstrate the ability to maneuver a kayak in Class II whitewater. 
• Describe and demonstrate proper use and choice of equipment related to whitewater kayaking. 
• Demonstrate the ability to read and understand river dynamics. 
• Understand the Seven Leave No Trace Ethics 

Credit Hours: 1 

Grading Option: Pass/No Pass 

Course and Laboratory Fee: $200 

Fall 2026 Dates:  

• Class Dates/Times: Tuesdays, 2:00-4:00pm 8/25-9/8 
• Field Experience: Afternoon 9/11-Afternoon 9/13 

Course Dates/Meeting Times: This course meets over 3 class sessions, located on campus. 

Required Field Experience: This course involves a required overnight field experience to practice and apply learning. The field experience will consist of a two-night kayaking and camping trip to the Norfolk Whitewater Park in Nebraska (Location subject to change due to weather/park conditions) 

Pre-requisites: There are no pre-requisites 

Provided & Required Materials: Transportation to and from field experience sites will be provided by Outdoor Adventures in University vehicles. All kayaking and camping gear (kayaks, paddles, life jackets, tents, sleeping bags, headlamp, cooking gear, and first aid kit), food, and compass/maps will be provided by Outdoor Adventures. You will need to provide your own personal clothing items. 

Description: This course is designed for students to gain the knowledge and skills necessary to plan and go on their own one-to-two-day backpacking trip.

Course Objectives:

• Demonstrate the ability to hike, eat, sleep, and exist in a backcountry setting with minimal impact on the environment  
• Describe and demonstrate proper use and choice of equipment related to backpacking, including tents, stoves, backpacks, sleeping gear, and clothing
• Understand backcountry nutrition principles and how to plan and cook meals in the backcountry
• Recall all seven Leave No Trace Principles and apply them to backcountry travel
• Possess the capabilities and knowledge required to plan and prepare for one’s own backpacking experience

Credit Hours: 1

Grading Option: Pass/No Pass

Course and Laboratory Fee: $150

Fall 2026 Dates:  

• Section 951:
  • Class Dates/Times: Wednesdays, 3:30-5:30pm 9/9-9/30
  • Field Experience: Afternoon 10/2-Afternoon 10/4
• Section 952:
  • Class Dates/Times: Tuesdays, 3:00-5:00pm 9/15-10/6
  • Field Experience: Afternoon 10/9-Afternoon 10/12

Course Dates/Meeting Times: This course meets over 4 class sessions, located on campus and off campus. Transportation to off-campus locations is provided when necessary.

Required Field Experience: This course involves a required overnight field experience to practice and apply learning. The field experience will consist of a two-night backcountry camping trip to Hitchcock Nature Center in Iowa (Location subject to change due to weather/park conditions) 

Pre-requisites: There are no pre-requisites

Provided & Required Materials: Transportation to and from class sessions and field experience sites will be provided by Outdoor Adventures in University vehicles. All backpacking gear (backpacks, tents, sleeping bags, headlamp, cooking gear, and first aid kit), food, and compass/maps will be provided by Outdoor Adventures. You will need to provide your own personal clothing items. 

Description: Provides a basic foundation for assessment of and care for trauma, medical, and environmental emergencies in the backcountry, more than 1 hour from definitive care.

Course Objectives:

• Deliver a proper patient assessment
• Provide basic care for common backcountry traumatic injuries
• Provide basic care for common backcountry medical emergencies
• Provide basic care for common backcountry environmental emergencies

Credit Hours: 2

Grading Option: Pass/No Pass

Course and Laboratory Fee: $225**

Fall 2026 Dates: Thursdays, 2:00-5:00pm 10/8-12/10

Course Dates/Meeting Times: This course meets over 7 class sessions, located on campus.

Required Field Experience: There is no required field experience for this course.  

Pre-requisites: There is required pre-course work, but there are no pre-requisites.

Provided & Required Materials: All required materials will be provided.  

Certification and Fees**: Upon successful completion of this course, students will receive CPR and Wilderness First Aid Certifications. Course fees cover the cost of materials and obtaining these certifications.  

Description: Provides training for assessment of and care for trauma, medical, and environmental emergencies in the backcountry, more than 1 hour from definitive care.

Course Objectives:

• Deliver a proper patient assessment
• Provide basic care for common backcountry traumatic injuries
• Provide basic care for common backcountry medical emergencies
• Provide basic care for common backcountry environmental emergencies

Credit Hours: 2

Grading Option: Pass/No Pass

Course and Laboratory Fee: $550**

Fall 2026 Dates: Course is offered in Spring Semesters only.  

Course Dates/Meeting Times: This course meets for 50 hours over 5 days.  

Required Field Experience: There is no required field experience for this course.  

Pre-requisites: There is required pre-course work, but there are no pre-requisites.

Provided & Required Materials: All required materials will be provided.  

Certification and Fees**: Upon successful completion of this course, students will receive CPR and Wilderness First Responder Certifications. Course fees cover the cost of materials and obtaining these certifications. 

Description: Provides a basic foundation for rock climbing in order to climb outdoors comfortably while building basic skills required to examine and build simple top rope anchors

Course Objectives:

• Demonstrate the ability to tie appropriate knots for various climbing situations such as but not limited to: tying a climber into a rope and attaching two ropes together.  
• Describe and demonstrate proper use of equipment related to climbing.  
• Demonstrate basic knowledge of safety principles necessary to climbing outdoors.  
• Demonstrate comfort in evaluating a climbing anchor (familiarity with proper material choice, placement evaluation, anchor construction strategies).  
• Effectively build a simple top rope anchor and rappel from the top of a route without exposing yourself to undue risk.

Credit Hours: 1

Grading Option: Pass/No Pass

Course and Laboratory Fee: $225

Fall 2026 Dates:  

• Class Dates/Times: Thursdays, 8:30-10:15am 9/10-9/24
• Field Experience: Afternoon 9/25-Evening 9/27

Course Dates/Meeting Times: This course meets over 3 class sessions, located on campus.

Required Field Experience: This course involves a required overnight field experience to practice and apply learning. The field experience will consist of a two-night climbing and camping trip to Blue Mounds and Palisades State Parks in Minnesota and South Dakota  (Location subject to change due to weather/park conditions) 

Pre-requisites: This course is designed for intermediate climbers. A UNL Outdoor Adventures Top-Rope Skills Check is required before the course.

Provided & Required Materials: Transportation to and from the field experience sites will be provided by Outdoor Adventures in University vehicles. All climbing gear and camping gear, (harnesses, shoes, helmets, ropes/climbing protection, tents, sleeping bags, headlamp, cooking gear, and first aid kit), food, and compass/maps will be provided by Outdoor Adventures. You will need to provide your own personal clothing items. 

Description: Designed for students to develop the basic knowledge and skill necessary to go on a one to two day bike-camping trip

Course Objectives:

• Demonstrate the ability to cycle, eat, sleep, and exist in an outdoor environment with minimal impact on the environment.
• Describe and demonstrate proper use and choice of equipment related to cycling and camping, including bikes, panniers, tents, stoves, sleeping gear, and clothing
• Demonstrate the ability to pack a bike and comfortably maneuver a fully loaded bike.
• Possess the capabilities and knowledge required to plan and prepare for one’s own bike camping experience

Credit Hours: 1

Grading Option: Pass/No Pass

Course and Laboratory Fee: $150

Fall 2026 Dates: Course is offered in Spring Semesters only.

Course Dates/Meeting Times: This course meets over 4 class sessions, located on campus. During class sessions, students will travel via bike to other locations.  

Required Field Experience: This course involves a required overnight field experience to practice and apply learning. The field experience will consist of a one-night cycling and camping trip to a local lake (Location subject to change due to weather/park conditions) 

Pre-requisites: There are no formal pre-requisites. Students should be comfortable riding a bike before the course.

Provided & Required Materials:  All cycling and camping gear (including bikes, helmets, tents, sleeping bags, headlamp, cooking gear, and first aid kit), food, and maps will be provided by Outdoor Adventures. You will need to provide your own personal clothing items.