OUTDOOR LEADERSHIP CERTIFICATE
The Outdoor Adventure Program is partnering with VCU's Center for Environmental Studies to provide hands-on experience and training for students interested in pursuing leadership roles in private and government land management, the outdoor recreation industry, field research, environmental education, ecotourism and other fields. The certificate is the natural outgrowth of eight years of successful collaborative programming between the Center and the OAP.
The undergraduate Outdoor Leadership Certificate is open to all majors. The program will require a minimum of 12 credits in courses such as outdoor leadership, outdoor programming and event management, outdoor team building and facilitation, expedition planning and wilderness first aid.
Number of Credit Hours: 12-16 credits
View the VCU Bulletin: Certificate in Outdoor Leadership course information
All students will be required to complete core coursework.
Core Courses – 12 credits
- ENVS 260. Outdoor Leadership (3)
- ENVS 360. Outdoor Programming and Event Management (3)
- ENVS 361. Outdoor Team Building & Facilitation (3)
- ENVS 460. Wilderness First Responder (3)
Optional Electives – 3-4 credits
This category is optional. Students can select one course from the following list of courses.
- ENVS 491. Topics in Environmental Studies (1-4)
- ENVS 492. Independent Study (1-3)
Read more from VCU about Outdoor Leadership students:
The OAP offers Student Outdoor Leadership Experiences (SOLE). This intensive training is the foundation of the OAP trips program and is designed to provide opportunities for skill development, personal growth, and leadership experience for potential OAP student leaders. Using the outdoors as our classroom, participants will also gain a connection to the natural world and consider how to provide similar experiences on OAP trips. Application is completed via this link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1orJdQFOPUFVtsQSjbvq5U_W7_KyLuuj4oNwn_hSIZ3s/ . Information sessions will be at the Outing Rental Center at 6pm on Wednesday, 2/19 and Thrusday 3/27 . More information can be obtained by emailing Christina Spohn, OAP Coordinator, at spohncl@vcu.edu .
| Activity | Trip Dates | Day | Registration Start | Registration Deadline | Capacity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Student Outdoor Leadership Experience (SOLE) | 6/11/2025 - 7/23/2025 | Select dates: 6/16-6/18, 6/23-6/25, 7/7-7/11, 7/21-7/23 | 3/1/2025 | 5/15/2025 | 10 |