Outdoor Education and Leadership
Associate of Arts Degree
Develop skills in outdoor education and be completely immersed in the wilderness with this program. Hike, bike, raft, climb and ski in Wyoming's expansive terrain and develop skills for a career as a leader in the outdoors. Take advantage of CWC's world class location that adjoins the nation's first national forest and be only a two-hour drive from Jackson Hole, Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Park. Learn through field-based expeditions in the remote wilderness area in and around the Wyoming Rockies.
CWC’s Outdoor Education and Leadership is unique in four ways
- Outdoor Education Center at Sinks Canyon with student housing
- Focus on experiential education and partnership with the NOLS
- Outstanding faculty
- World-class location in the foothills of the Wyoming Rockies at the Alpine Science Institute.
As part of the program, there is an option to spend up to one full semester taking wilderness-based courses with the NOLS. NOLS offers these educational expeditions at remote, pristine locations in the U.S. and abroad. To receive college credit for NOLS courses, enroll concurrently in the appropriate corresponding course at CWC. For more information on NOLS offerings visit the NOLS website.
Discover Alpine Science Institute Housing
| Course Number | Course |
Credits |
| BIOL 1080 | Intro to Environmental Science |
4 credits |
| EDUC 1050 | Leading Adventure Programs |
3 credits |
| EDUC 1055 | Introduction to Outdoor Education |
3 credits |
| EDUC 2470 | Outdoor Education Practicum |
4 credits |
| ORTM 1000 | Foundations of Recreation & Tourism |
3 credits |
| HLED 2010 OR HLED 2015 |
Wilderness First Responder OR Wilderness EMT |
4-9 credits |
Students must choose 4 credits from the following list of Expedition courses listed below
| Course Numbers | Course |
Credits |
| EDUC 2015 | Outdoor Educator: |
1 - 5 credits |
| EDUC 2045 | Outdoor Leadership Instructor |
1 - 5 credits |
| EDUC 2050 | Outdoor Education & Leadership |
1 - 5 credits |
| G&R 2020 | Mountaineering: |
1 - 5 credits |
| G&R 2030 | Wilderness Backpacking: |
1 - 5 credits |
| G&R 2031 | Combined Expeditions: |
1 - 5 credits |
| G&R 2032 | Winter Expedition: |
1 - 5 credits |
| G&R 2033 | Rock Climbing: |
1 - 5 credits |
| G&R 2034 | Water Expedition: |
1 - 5 credits |
| G&R 2050 | Environmental Ethics & Management: |
1 - 5 credits |
Students must choose 3 PEAC course from the following list of approved courses
| Course Number | Course |
Credits |
| PEAC 1258 | Skiing & Snowboarding |
1 credit |
| PEAC 1259 | Cross Country Skiing |
1 credit |
| PEAC 1287 | Introduction to Outdoor Rock Climbing |
1 credit |
| PEAC 1297 | Whitewater Rafting/Rescue |
1 credit |
| PEAC 1380 | Outdoor Multi-Sport |
1 - 3 credits |
| PEAC 1387 | Indoor Rock Climbing |
1 credit |
| PEAC 1540 | Mountain Biking |
1 credit |
| PEAC 1600 | Ice Climbing |
1 credit |
| PEAC 2018 | Water Safety/Lifeguard Training |
1 credit |
| PEAC 2025 | Wilderness Navigation |
1 credit |
| PEAC 2058 | Backcountry Skiing & Snowboarding |
1 credit |
| PEAC 2088 | Alpine Climbing and Rescue |
1 credit |
Students must choose seven (7) additional credits from the PEAC courses above or from the following list of approved courses:
| Course Number | Course |
Credits |
| AIST 1005 | Intercultural Communication |
3 credits |
| AIST 1350 | American Indians in Contemporary Society |
3 credits |
| AIST 2000 | Indians of the Wind River |
3 credits |
| AIST 2290 | History of U.S. Indians |
3 credits |
| ANTH 1300 | Intro to Archaeology |
3 credits |
| ANTH 2022 | Petroglyphs & Primitive Art |
3 credits |
| ART 2145 | Digital Photography I |
3 credits |
| ASTR 1050 | Survey of Astronomy |
4 credits |
| ASTR 1070 | The Earth: Its Physical Environment |
4 credits |
| ATSC 2000 | Introduction to Meteorology |
4 credits |
| ATSC 2110 | Introduction to Climatology |
4 credits |
| BIOL 1010 | General Biology I |
4 credits |
| BIOL 1020 | Life Science |
4 credits |
| BIOL 2002 | Global Ecology |
3 credits |
| COMM 1005 | Intercultural Communication |
3 credits |
| COMM 2130 | Human Relations |
3 credits |
| COMM 4050 | Communication and Conflict |
3 credits |
| CNSL 1310 | Personal Growth Group |
1 credit |
| CNSL 2300 | Counseling for Helping Professional |
3 credits |
| CNSL 2310 | Introduction to Group Counseling |
3 credits |
| CNSL 2320 | Addictions Assessment |
3 credits |
| CNSL 2330 | Counseling Diverse Populations |
3 credits |
| CNSL 2340 | Theories of Counseling |
3 credits |
| EDFD 2020 | Foundations of Education |
3 credits |
| EDFD 2450 | Human Life Span Development |
3 credits |
| EDUC 2015 | Outdoor Educator: |
1 - 5 credits |
| EDUC 2045 | Outdoor Leadership Instructor |
1 - 5 credits |
| EDUC 2050 | Outdoor Education & Leadership |
1 - 5 credits |
| ENR 2425 | Mountain Environments |
4 credits |
| G&R 1090 | Avalanche Lvl 1:Dsn Mkng Avlnch Terrain |
1 credit |
| G&R 2020 | Mountaineering: |
1 - 5 credits |
| G&R 2030 | Wilderness Backpacking: |
1 - 5 credits |
| G&R 2031 | Combined Expeditions: |
1 - 5 credits |
| G&R 2032 | Winter Expedition: |
1 - 5 credits |
| G&R 2033 | Rock Climbing: |
1 - 5 credits |
| G&R 2034 | Water Expedition: |
1 - 5 credits |
| G&R 2035 | River Rescue Certification |
1 credit |
| G&R 2050 | Environmental Ethics & Management: |
1 - 5 credits |
| G&R 2090 | Avalanche Lvl 2:Anlz Snwpk & Aval Haz. |
2 credits |
| GEOG 1100 | Introduction to Geographic Info Systems |
4 credits |
| GEOL 1070 | The Earth: Its Physical Environment |
4 credits |
| GEOL 1100 | Physical Geology |
4 credits |
| GEOL 1200 | Historical Geology |
4 credits |
| GEOL 1470 | Environmental Geology |
4 credits |
| HIST 1270 | Indians of the Wind River |
3 credits |
| HLED 2015 | Wilderness EMT |
9 credits |
| PSYC 1250 | Human Potential Seminar |
1 credit |
| PSYC 2210 | Drugs and Behavior |
3 credits |
| ZOO 1200 | Human Biology |
3 credits |
| ZOO 2015 | Human Anatomy |
4 credits |
| Course | Credits |
|---|---|
| Writing Level I | 3 |
| Writing Level II | 3 |
| American and Wyoming Government | 3 |
| Arts | 3 |
| Humanities | 3 |
| Mathematics | 3 |
| Oral Communications | 3 |
| Social Sciences | 3 |
| University Studies | 1 |
Total Credit Hours: 60
More Information
CWC Outdoor Education enjoys a truly world class location, adjoining the nation’s first national forest. We are a 2-hour drive to Jackson Hole, Grand Teton, and Yellowstone National Parks. Just out the back door, Sinks Canyon State Park is a stunning outdoor playground which serves as a gateway to the Wind River Mountains. Sinks is home to Limestone, Sandstone, and Granite rock climbing, a cave system, mountain bike and ski trails, and some of the best fly-fishing in the country.
Sinks Canyon conveniently borders both the sub-alpine and high desert ecosystems where elk, pronghorns, cougars, and coyotes can be spotted. At CWC our students develop leadership and outdoor adventure skills with wilderness as a key part of their college experience.
We offer certifications in Mountain Biking, Trailbuilding, and Wilderness EMT
Take the next step in your outdoor leadership journey. This 8-semester program offers students an administrative perspective of the outdoor recreation service industry that includes learning, training, and assessment of leadership and program management skills. The program is especially appropriate for students wishing to: start their own outdoor-related small business, manage an outdoor recreation or education program, or build a career in leadership of parks, recreation, tourism, or natural resource management.
Get to know your instructors!
Darran Wells
Professor of Outdoor Education and LeadershipDarran Wells is passionate about all kinds of outdoor activities - hiking, climbing, caving, and skiing, but mountain biking is a sport he dedicates most of his free time to.
Stacy Wells
Adjunct Professor of Outdoor Education and LeadershipStacy Tostrup Wells has been teaching professionally in the outdoors for more than 20 years.
Jacob Urban
Adjunct Professor of Outdoor Education and LeadershipAs an undergraduate professor, guide, program director, corporate trainer and business owner, Jake has been teaching in the outdoors for more than 20 years.