Adventure Recreation Management
Adventure Recreation Management
Bachelor of Science (B.S.) Program websiteSample Schedule
WVU Tech Catalog
Winner of the 2021 Blue Ridge Outdoors "Top Adventure College Bracket Challenge."
Winner of the 2020 Blue Ridge Outdoors "Best of the Blue Ridge" for Outdoor Recreation Programs.
WVU Tech's Adventure Recreation Management program prepares students for managing programs and enterprises that offer outdoor adventure activities.
The curriculum provides hands-on experience, and our classroom is often the outdoors. Students will explore the ins and outs of the adventure industry and discover the management skills and techniques required in the field.
As part of the degree, students earn a certification as a guide or instructor in one of our fields of focus. Students also complete a practicum in the industry alongside the experts in the field.
Profiles
Explore with the experts
Dave Bernier
Teaching Assistant Professor
Dave has worked in the outdoor adventure recreation field for more than 20 years. Originally from the mountains of New Hampshire and Maine, he is proud to call West Virginia home. Dave has an undergraduate degree in Outdoor Recreation and a master’s degree from WVU. He is an AMGA-certified SPI rock climbing instructor and has completed the AMGA Rock Guide Course. He is also an ACA L4 swift water rescue and whitewater kayak instructor and has been commercially guiding rafts on Class V sections of rivers for twenty years. Dave is also a current wilderness first responder.
He has worked in the college outdoor recreation field for a dozen years sharing amazing experiences with students. Before that, Dave ran a commercial adventure recreation business, worked with adjudicated youth programs and was a National Park Service whitewater rescue ranger. Dave has traveled extensively for recreation and adventure but says that some of the most fun that can be had outdoors is watching students pick up a new life long skill in adventure recreation.
Dr. T. Grant Lewis
Teaching Assistant Professor and Program Director
T has been involved in the fields of education and recreation since 1993 and has been the director of the ARM program since 2019.
And he’s got a wealth of experience in the field: T served as Assistant Professor for Outdoor and Community Recreation at Weber State University in Utah, Coordinator and Assistant Professor of Outdoor Leadership and Education at Shenandoah University in Virginia and Assistant Professor of Recreation and Camp Management at Springfield College in Western Massachusetts. He received his PhD in education, with a focus in recreation, parks and leisure studies, from the University of Minnesota, his MEd in outdoor education administration from Georgia College & State University and his BA in health education from the University of Richmond.
A former K-12 health educator, he has extensive experience with planning and delivering out-of-school time (OST) programs, activities and events. T is committed to exploring personal growth as a function of engaging in recreational pursuits, with interests related to curriculum and instruction, group development and facilitation, programming, risk management, leadership development and youth development.
Career Profile
Graduates of the program will leave with well-developed field skills, a solid background in management and the kind of real-world experience that makes them attractive to employers.Careers
- County/City adventure programmer
- Challenge course manager
- Commercial outfitter operation manager
- Therapeutic adventure counselor
- Rafting river manager
- Climbing guide service manager
- Non-profit recreation program/camp director
- National Park Service, Forest Service, Army Corps of Engineers recreation planner
Learn by doing
Students in the program will achieve an instructor or guide certification during the course of earning their degree. They'll also complete a hands-on professional field experience with a working adventure recreation organization or company to learn how to put their skills and management knowledge to work in the real world.Things You'll Learn
Skills to navigate the wild and the working world.
Adventure Recreation Program Management
Build your knowledge and competency in the management of an adventure recreation enterprise. You'll learn about program design, risk management, budgeting, staffing and support operations.
Technical Skills Coursework
In advanced skills-based courses, you'll learn the techniques and skills needed to lead various outdoor programs in, but not limited to, whitewater paddling, rock climbing, mountain biking and more. You'll engage in hands-on activities that focus on site selection, equipment, logistics, permits, risk management, on-site trip management and group safety.
Wilderness First Responder
Learn how to save lives. This course provides the training necessary to become certified in dealing with various aspects and levels of outdoor or wilderness crises in forestry, recreation or any outdoor professionals.
