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Wilderness program approved for MHCC
The Advocate
In the fall term of 2010 MHCC will offer a new degree option for students.
The new wilderness leadership degree is designed for outdoor adventurers and will provide graduates of the program with an Associate of Applied Science degree in wilderness leadership and experiential education.
“There has been a ton of interest,” said Health, PE and Outdoor Program instructor Bryan Anaclerio.
According to Anaclerio this will be the first program in four years that MHCC has added a degree program.
Anaclerio, who will be the program director, said, “I love the program we have now, but it needed to be updated.”
Students who would like to get a head start in the program can complete required general education classes and outdoor education courses during the 2009-2010 academic year.
Anaclerio said this will be the newest and most up to date program in the country with an impressive amount of certifications and field days.
This will also be the first academic wilderness program in the Northwest.
What makes the program unique is that during Spring term the students will spend five weeks planning for a trip and five weeks in the field with approximately 35 days straight in the wilderness, according to Anaclerio.
In the second year of the program the students enrolled in the wilderness leadership program will lead trips for students and get practical experience in planning events.
The degree will provide students with 11 outdoor certifications and prepares them to enter careers in outdoor recreation.
Specifically, students will earn certifications in avalanche safety, CPR and first aid, leave no trace, swift water rescue, wilderness first responder and a variety of other subjects.
With the degree, students could become guides, work in adventure/risk recreation, community recreation, correctional recreation, senior centers, therapeutic recreation and several other fields according to Anaclerio.
Students with the degree can also choose to transfer to Oregon State University Cascades Campus in Bend and earn a Bachelor of Arts in tourism and outdoor leadership.
Anaclerio said that the degree from MHCC is different from the OSU degree, because the OSU degree focuses mainly on tourism while the MHCC degree will focus more on wilderness training.
Students that enroll in the program will spend more than 75 days in the field a year, including a 35-day immersion expedition.
The program will prepare students for the outdoor and adventure recreation market, a growing sector in the Northwest.
The program will be open to all students who have completed Math 65 and Writing 121.
Anaclerio pointed out that it is a very physically active program so he advises students to be physically fit before they enter the program.
“We’re going to try to start with 20,” said Anaclerio when asked how many students can enroll in the program.
Anaclerio said, “I am super excited about the new program. It’s going to be really fun to watch the students spend so much time in the field.”
For more information, contact Anaclerio at 503-491-7201 or [email protected].
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