OUTDOOR SKILLS I: Nature-based outdoor recreation for Northeast Minnesota.
Rec. 1201 (2 Credits)Fall 2012
Tuesday 2 - 4:30pm
Sports and Health Center Room 9/Bagley Nature Area
INSTRUCTOR:
Ken Gilbertson123 SpHC726-6258
Website:
TEXTS:
Burns, B. & M. (1991). Wilderness navigation. Seattle: The Mountaineers
Jacobson, C. (2000). Boundary waters canoe camping. Guilford, CT: The Globe Pequot Press.
OBJECTIVES:
This course is designed to introduce you to outdoor skills that will enable you to better enjoy and appreciate nature-based outdoor recreation in NE MN.
- You will be able to identify and demonstrate basic skills pertaining to autumn outdoor recreation in northeastern Minnesota, for example: flatwater canoeing, map and compass use, and knot tying techniques.
- You will be able to identify and usebasic canoe camping equipment with basic proficiency, for example: tarps, tents, Duluth packs, and canoes.
- You will be able to prepare an appropriate canoe camp menu and identify appropriate camp kitchen techniques.
- You will be able to identify a minimum of three methods for procuring clean drinking water in NE MN.
- You will be able to identify Leave No Traces ethics and provide examples based on a canoe camping theme.
- You will be able to identify a variety of outdoor recreational resources accessible in Duluth and in NE MN.
EXPECTATIONS:
You are expected to participate fully. This is an active course and requires physical, social, and academic participation. There is a special emphasis on physical participation as we will be outside for most class meetings—participation means that you will dress appropriately for outdoor classes as well. Bring water and a snack to class.Coming to class dressed inappropriately for the weather and/or activity is considered the same as an unexcused absence (this is for safety and educational reasons).
You are expected to complete readings and assignments by the dates noted. Written work should be meet basic college standards in regards to grammar, spelling, organization and neatness.You are expected to treat the content and process with respect.
Field experiences are an essential component to this course therefore we must acknowledge the inherent risk of field program participation. Leaving campus and use of the Bagley Natural Area presents risk management concerns including transportation and field site based dangers. In order to avoid problems and strengthen our risk management awareness, it is each student’s responsibility to behave in a manner that promotes personal and group safety while in the field. Any questions, concerns, specific medical information, etc. should be directed to the instructor as a part of a shared effort to ensure a safe and optimal learning environment.
Students with disabilities:
It is the policy and practice of the University of Minnesota Duluth to create inclusive learning environments for all students, including students with disabilities. If there are aspects of this course that result in barriers to your inclusion or your ability to meet course requirements – such as time limited exams, inaccessible web content, or the use of non-captioned videos – please notify the instructor as soon as possible. You are also encouraged to contact the Office of Disability Resources to discuss and arrange reasonable accommodations. Please call 218-726-6130 or visit the DR website at for more information.
Course Schedule
Date: / Topic/location: / Readings/Assignments:Sept
4 / Syllabus overview and class
Expectations
Personal canoe camping equipment / Read Chapter 8 in BWCC
11 / Meet at Bagley Classroom
Campcraft: food/Nutrition/Stoves/Fire—the canoe country kitchen
- Bring a bowl, spoon, and water bottle to class
Health form due: (This is the RSOP info. Page, scroll down to Adult Health Form and click; fill it out and bring to class—worth 10 points)
Web)/Information/
18 / Campcraft: Bear-proofing, tarps, water purification
Trail groups assigned
Knot knowledge—figure 8, bow-line / Read Chapter 10 & 11 in BWCC
Giardia readings:
25 / Meet at Rock Pond
Basic canoe skills / Read Chapter 6 & 7 in BWCC
Pre-trip worksheet due
October
2 / Meet in SpHC 9
Meet trail leaders
Pre-trip worksheet reviewed and edited w/leaders
Knot knowledge—clove hitch/vis-klamp
October
9 / Meet at SpHC 9
USFS Leave No Trace Video: the importance of respectful travel
BWCA permits
Trip Route reviewed
Final Team Check-in
Knot knowledge—double-fisherman’s,
taut-line hitch
Finish w/group gear check-out / Read Chapter 2, 3, & 5 in BWCC
Review LNT website—You need to know each of the 7 LNT principles:
Final trip planning worksheet due
12-14 / BWCA Weekend Trip
Departure on Friday at 2 PM, pre-trip organizing at 1 PM.
Return to UMD on Sunday at 3-4 PM / Trip reflection due by class time on the 16th at Dr. Gilbertson’s office.
23 / Site TBA—Duluth section of the SHT
Trail Day One: Autumn hiking on the Superior Hiking Trail: Accessible and sustainable urban adventure! / Review SHT website:
30 / Shooting Skills intro / Reading TBA
Nov.
6 / Shooting skills (at United Northern Sportsmen? – tentative) / Read in Burns: Chapters 1, 2 & 3
13 / Meet at Bagley Building
Basic skills
Map and Compass #1 / Read in BWCC Chapter 3
Read in Burns: Chap. 4, 5 & 7
20 / Meet at Bagley Building
see:
Compass skills
Map & Compass #2 / RSOP Outdoor Activity Reflection due
27 / Practical Exam / 100 points
Dec
4 / Course Review and preparation for the final exam
20 / FINAL EXAM: Thursday, December 20, 8:00-9:55 amusing any computer that has access to Moodle. / Go to the following url to take the exam:
GRADES:
Assignment / Points: / Grading Based on % of:Final Written / 50 / 92% - A
Final Practical / 100 / 90% - A-
RSOP Activity Reflection / 30 / 82% - B
Camp Trip / 50 / 80% - B-
Pre-camp planning / 50 / 72% - C
Post Trip Reflection / 30 / 70% - C-
Prepared for class checks / 40 points / 62% - D
Class Participation * / No points given, however attendance is mandatory. Every unexcused absence will result in a 1/2 grade deduction.
350 total points
COSTS:
These figures are estimates of the extra costs involved:
• Food for the trip - $15.00-$20.00
• Rental of personal gear from the RSOP Rental Center (variable, depending upon need)
ASSIGNMENTS/Skills:
BWCAW canoe trip weekend: October 12-14 (50 points)
It is very valuable to experience the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness first hand. This trip is designed to introduce you to trip preparation, planning, equipment, and actual participation. These dates are rigid! Please make your plans for the semester accordingly. Note: Use of alcohol or illegal drugs on camp out will result in an immediate failure and expulsion from course.
Pre-trip Planning: (50 points)
Wilderness travel requires quality preparations. A specific planning worksheet will guide your efforts.
Post-trip Reflection: (30 points)
This is a two-part assignment. One, you will fill out an evaluation of your leader. Two, you need to write a three page reflection based on the simple format of DO/REFLECT/APPLY, i.e. Describe your group’s activity, route, etc…what did you do? Than reflect…what was important, interesting, fun, unfortunate, or meaningful? Finally, what did you learn that you can use again—about yourself or skill based…What will you apply in the future? The reflection must be word-processed using quality writing skills and turned in to Dr. Gilbertson by class time on Oct. 16 (no class those days).
RSOP Activity Reflection: (30 points)
To expand your exposure to a variety of outdoor activities other than those that are offered through this course, you are required to attend at least 1 outdoor events from the Outdoor Program Calendar. Note that there are many free outdoor calendar events (if you sign up early for them!). These must be an outdoor activity (not a lecture) that is nature or outdoor education based. Write up a one page reflection that answers the following questions:
- Activity date/time
- Activity location
- Activity description
- Activity leader/s names
- Your opinion—did you learn anything? Was it fun? Meaningful? A Waste of time? Provide a detailed explanation of your feelings about this activity.
Knot Knowledge:
You are required to learn the following knots: taut-line hitch, clove hitch, vis-klamp, double fisherman’s, bowline and figure-8. These knots will be introduced throughout the first half of the semester and may be included on the final exam.
Prepared for Class Checks: (40 points)
From time to time a short quiz will be given, e.g. on Oct. 9 you will need to list each of the LNT principles in class. In addition to the quiz, if you show up in the rain without proper raingear, or show up to hike in flip-flops, you will lose these points.
Gear list for BWCA trip:
Group Gear provided by UMD: tents, tarps, Duluth packs, canoes, paddles, life jackets, maps, camp kitchen, stoves, ropes. water filters, first aid kits
Personal Gear (you provide for yourself--see text for more ideas, pages: p. 146 in BWCC):
- 2 heavy duty garbage bags for Duluth pack liner (you will share a Duluth pack with a partner)
- 1 pr. lightweight footwear for camp use (e.g. jogging shoes)
- 1 pr. footwear that can get wet (for paddling and portaging)
- 3 pr. wool/synthetic socks (no cotton)
- 1-2 pr. pants (synthetic, wool, or light cotton—no jeans)
- 2 long sleeved shirts (one turtleneck rec’d, wool or synthetic best)
- 2 t-shirts (wool or synthetic rec’d)
- 2 pr. underwear, consider long under wear
- Heavy sweater and/or fleece jacket (consider wool)
- Rain jacket and rain pants—this can be rented at RSOP
- Warm (winter) hat
- Gloves
- Bandana
- Sleeping bag—20 degree (w/waterproof lining in stuff sac, e.g. plastic bag. This can be rented at RSOP)
- Sleeping pad—this can be rented at RSOP
- Eating utensils: plate/cup/spoon
- Toothbrush w/ small toothpaste
- Headlamp
- Water bottle
RSOP Rental located across from the RSOP offices in SpHC
Optional: neck gaiter (buff-style), sunglasses, hat with brim, book, camera,
Do not bring: phone, alcohol, recreational drugs
Food planned, purchased, and packed by each student group.