REC 1202 Outdoor Skills II
2 Credits
2:00-4:30 Thursdays
SpHC 9A
Instructor: Dr. Julie (Athman) Ernst
Office: 241 Engr
Office Hours: 11-12 Mon, Tues, Wed; 10-12 Fri
Phone: 726-6761
Email:
Class Email:
Course Web URL: www.d.umn.edu/~jernst (select REC 1202 from course list)
Course Description:
This course is designed to introduce you to non-competitive skills that can promote a better understanding of outdoors. Through weekly instruction and a weekend camping opportunity, this course provides an introduction to winter camping, back country skiing, snowshoeing, dog sledding, navigation, stream trout fishing, and backpacking. This is an introductory skill class, as opposed to a skills course for refining or developing advanced outdoor recreation skills.
Course Goals:
1. Development of basic skills pertaining to winter and spring outdoor recreation, including winter camping, back country skiing, snowshoeing, dog sledding, navigation, stream trout fishing, and backpacking.
2. Familiarity with equipment that is used for winter and spring outdoor recreation activities
3. Awareness of outdoor recreational areas in northeastern Minnesota and northern Wisconsin.
4. Understanding and implementation of “leave no trace” outdoor ethics during outdoor recreational activities
5. Knowledge of and comfort in the outdoor environment of northeastern Minnesota and northern Wisconsin
Course Expectations:
1. Attendance is required for this course. After 2 unexcused absences, you will drop one full grade. (Excused absences include school or professional related events, severe illnesses with a doctor/hospital note, and absences approved in advance by the instructor.) You are responsible for all information given indoors, outdoors, and from the readings. It is your responsibility to contact another student for the material covered and/or assignments given in class when absent.
2. Be prepared for class. Have your readings completed before you come to class. Be dressed for outdoor recreation. When class is scheduled to meet outdoors, we will be going outdoors, regardless of the weather. This will help you learn how to be comfortable outdoors in a variety of conditions. Bring a small notebook for taking notes when outdoors. You may want to purchase a waterproof, field notebook available from the bookstore.
3. Actively participate in class. Some of the course topics will be familiar to you, and others may not. By actively participating, you will get the most out of this course and help others learn from your experiences.
4. Respect the formal learning environment. This includes arriving and leaving on time, making sure cell phones are off, and being open to the opinions and ideas of others. This also includes professional presentation of assignments and abiding by the University’s academic conduct policies.
5. Ask for assistance. We each have different learning needs and preferences; if something is unclear or if you need alternative opportunities to learn the course topics, please ask!
6. Practice what you have learned between class periods. While this course does not focus on technical proficiency, you can not become comfortable in the outdoors unless you practice.
Course Materials:
1. Textbooks/Readings:
· Burns, B. and Burns, M. (2004). Wilderness Navigation. Seattle, WA: The Mountaineers Books.
· Curtis, R. (1998). The Backpacker's Field Manual. New York: Three Rivers Press.
· Gorman, S. (1999). Winter Camping: WildernessTravel and Adventure in the Cold-Weather Months. Boston, MA: Appalachian Mountain Club.
· Additional assigned readings available electronically.
2. Materials for regular class meeting times
· Personal clothing for being outdoors (see equipment list on course website for suggestions for clothing)
· Clipboard or small notebook (ideally waterproof) and pencil/pen for taking notes when outdoors
· Gear as noted in syllabus (gear needed for class, such as snowshoes or skis, is available from the Kirby Games and Outing Center free of charge to students in the class and does not need to be reserved; this does not include personal gear needed for the camping trip, such as a sleeping bag; you will be charged for gear that is returned late, dirty, or damaged!)
3. Materials for winter and/or spring camping trips
· Food cost per trip will be approximately $15
· Personal clothing and gear (see equipment list on course website); personal gear can be rented from the Kirby Games and Outing Center (x8734); if renting personal gear, reserve it at least two weeks prior to the trip; UMD will furnish group gear
4. Fishing license and trout stamp (for those choosing to fish during fishing outing)
Assignments
1. Camping Trip (20 points)
You must go on at least one of the trips. If you go on both trips, you’ll earn 10 extra credit points. These dates are final; 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.
· Option 1: Winter Camping Trip at Boulder Lake: February 12-13
This trip will provide the opportunity to practice winter trip preparation, winter travel, winter cooking, and winter camping.
· Option 2: Backpacking at Rainbow Lakes Wilderness: April 29-May 1
This trip is will provide the opportunity to practice overnight backpacking in a wilderness area and wilderness navigation.
2. Natural History Paper (20 points)
Due: Topic is due January 27. Papers are due Feb. 24. Presentation of information is due on the date of the camping trip you choose.
· Select a topic related to the natural history of northeastern MN/northern WI (something relating to nature, such as snow crystals, chickadees, plant survival, aurora borealis, etc.). If you will be going on the winter camping trip, your topic should relate to the winter environment. If you will be going on the spring backpacking trip, your topic should relate to the spring environment.
· Write a 3-5 page paper (typed, double-spaced) about your topic; you should learn enough about the topic so that when you are out on the camping trip, you can share this information with others. Your paper should include:
1.) A description of your topic (Remember, your topic MUST be something that can be seen in the area of one of our trips and relate to either the winter or spring environment, depending on which trip you choose)
2.) Location/range/where your topic is typically found
3.) Interesting, relevant, or unique information about your topic (what is its “story?”)
4.) Identification of your topic (How can you identify/find it while out on the trail in the area we will be camping/traveling?)
5) References – You need at least 3 sources that are from professionally produced publications or media (written, video, CD). If you use a person, he/she must be recognized in the field as an expert. If you use a website, the site must be created through a professional organization (national organizations, universities, governmental, etc.). All of your references should be cited according to APA format.
· Present your topic to your small group while on the camping trip.
3. OP Activities (2 activities, 5 points each; total of 10 points)
Due: May 5
To expand your exposure to a variety of outdoor activities beyond what is offered in this course, your assignment is to attend 2 different outdoor events from the Outdoor Program Calendar or pre-approved off campus events. The events you attend need to be an activity that is nature/outdoor based (as opposed to a lecture). There are many free outdoor calendar events; sign up early for them! Each is worth 5 points. To document your attendance, turn in a half page typed summary of your participation in the activity (date, what activity, what you learned, your reactions, etc.).
4. Mid-term Exam (20 points): March 3
5. Final Exam (30 points): Wednesday, May 11, 4:00 - 5:55.
Grading
1. Camping Trip 20 points
2. Paper 20 points
3. OP Activities 10 points (2 activities, 5 points each)
4. Mid-Term 20 points
5. Final Exam 30 points
*optional extra credit: attend both camping trips to earn 10 additional points
A 92-100 points
A- 90-91 points
B 82-89 points
B- 80-81 points
C 72-79 points
C- 70-71 points
D 62-69 points
D- 60-61 points
F 59 points or less
*2 unexcused absences result in a full grade drop
*your grades will be posted on eGradebook and updated throughout the course
Course Schedule:
Date / Meeting Location / Topic / Assignment Due/Materials Needed1/20 / SpHC 9A / - Course Introduction/
Syllabus/Paper Assignment
- Winter safety/ Causes of heat loss
-Cold injuries
- Winter clothing / - Gorman Ch. 5 & Ch. 12
- "No word for luck" & "Six ways to avoid cold feet" (both available at course web site)
1/27 / Recreation Fields across from SpHC (field 1) / -Winter Camping Travel: Backcountry skiing / - Size skis (before 1/27; during dates/times announced during prior class)
-Pick up Skis on 1/27 (from Kirby Games; pick them up on day of class, but don’t wait until 2:00 to get them!)
- Health form, paper topic, choice of camping trip due
- Gorman Ch. 6 and Ch. 9
2/3 / Bagley Nature Area at 2:15 (by kiosk at Rock Pond); SpHC 9A for second half of class / -Winter camping gear/preparations
-Trip expectations
-Trip planning groups assigned
-Nutrition and menu planning / - Gorman Ch. 4, Ch. 5, Ch. 7
- Work on getting personal equipment for weekend trip and natural history paper/presentation (if going on winter trip)
2/10 / SpHC 9A / -Group gear for winter
-Meet small group trip leaders
-Final trip prep/Arrange carpooling / - Menu for winter trip due
- Work on getting personal equipment for weekend trip and natural history paper/presentation (if going on winter trip)
-Gorman Ch. 11
2/12 & 13 / 7 am from Ordean Court/outside SpHC lobby / Winter Camping Trip to Boulder Lake / -Personal gear/assigned gear
2/17 / Kiosk by Rock Pond in Bagley at 2:15 / -Trip Review
-Snowshoeing
-Set-up drivers and dates for dog sledding / -Review Gorman Ch. 6
- Snowshoes (from Kirby Games; pick up on day of class; don’t wait until 2!)
2/22 or 2/24 / Meet in Ordean Court/SpHC lobby at 2:00 / -Review Sheet
-Dog sledding
NOTE: THIS CLASS WILL RUN 2- 5PM / - Paper Assignment Due
3/3 / SpHC 9A / Mid-Term Exam
3/10 / SpHC 9A / Navigation: map & compass / -Burns Ch. 1-3
3/17 / Bagley Nature Area at 2:15 / Navigation: map & compass
Orienteering Course / - Burns Ch. 4-7
3/24 / Spring Break
3/31 / SpHC 9A / Equipment for backpacking / -Curtis Ch. 1-2
4/7 / SpHC 9A / -Backpacking: food, hygiene, Leave No Trace ethics
-Trip Planning Groups Assigned / -Curtis Ch. 3-5
4/14 / SpHC 9A / Stream Trout Fishing: equipment, knots, flies / - Dress to be outside
4/21 / SpHC 9A / -Work with small group trip leaders
-Final Backpack Trip Preparations / -Curtis Ch. 7- 8
4/26 or
4/28 / Ordean Court/SpHC lobby at 5:30 AM (return at 7:30 AM) / Stream Trout Fishing / -You must attend one, but are not required to fish. If you fish, you must have a MN License.
April 29 - May 1 / Ordean Court/SpHC lobby at 3 pm (return Sunday by 3 pm) / Backpacking trip to Rainbow Lakes Wilderness Area, Wisconsin / - Personal and assigned gear
5/5 / SpHC 9A / Course Review / - OP Activity Summaries Due
Wed. 5/11 / SpHC 9A / Final Written Exam (4:00 - 5:55) / -Dress for indoors and outdoors
1