Interdisciplinary Studies: Outdoor Leadership Concentration

Bachelor’s

Inspire others to experience and steward God’s creation well. 

3+
Skills Courses
Gain hands-on experience in at least three outdoor recreation skills courses including backpacking, kayaking, rock climbing, and more.
2
Career Certifications
Earn two critical outdoor certifications—including Leave No Trace Awareness and Wilderness First Aid or First Responder.
25
Minutes from Adventure
From the Blue Ridge Mountains to Caesars Head State Park, limitless outdoor adventure is just a quick drive away.

Connect People with the Outdoors

In our fast-paced and technological world, facilitating healthy relationships with the great outdoors is critical to our physical and spiritual well-being. You understand this—and you also recognize the importance of stewarding God’s creation responsibly and sustainably. So, where do you start?

You engage hard skills—backpacking, kayaking, rock climbing, and more—like never before. You explore soft skills like leadership, management, and communication. You elevate your understanding of outdoor leadership to make an impact through a variety of careers including camp director, park ranger, outdoor educator, environmental specialist, and beyond.

Whether you pursue a Bachelor of Science in interdisciplinary studies with a concentration in outdoor leadership, or you combine a minor in outdoor leadership with another academic program like ministry, marketing, management, or biology—prepare for countless career opportunities rooted in outdoor leadership.

What Can I Do with a Concentration in Outdoor Leadership?

A concentration in Outdoor Leadership can lead to exciting careers in adventure education, outdoor recreation management, or wilderness therapy. With this specialization, you’ll be well-equipped to work as a wilderness guide, outdoor program director, or adventure educator, helping individuals and groups connect with nature and develop valuable life skills through outdoor experiences.

This unique concentration allows you to blend your love for the outdoors with meaningful work that promotes personal growth and environmental stewardship.

Adventure Trip Leader

Camp Director

Environmental Educator

Outdoor Education Instructor

Park Ranger

Wilderness Therapy Guide

Experience Learning from the Ground Up

Immerse Yourself in Adventure

The best way to experience the outdoors is, well, experiencing it! Enjoy a variety of field-based classes like rock climbing, canoeing, backpacking, white water kayaking, and more.

Steward God’s Creation

Learn how to steward God’s creation of the natural world, but don’t stop there. Connect your neighbors to the great outdoors and guide them in sustainably enjoying nature.

Lead as You Learn – with Trailblazer Outdoor Adventure and Recreation (COAR)

COAR is a campus-wide student organization led by outdoor leadership students. Plan, promote, and guide wilderness trips for the NGU student body.

Outdoor Leadership Beside Experienced & Faithful Stewards
Rick Masters, M.A.
Associate Professor
Sam Keith, PhD
Director, Center for Outdoor Leadership

Embrace the Journey and Study Outdoor Leadership

Mar 03
Outdoor Leadership Year 1

Year 1 Sample Courses

  • Foundations of Parks and Conservation Management
  • Group Processing and Facilitation
  • Introduction to Outdoor Leadership
  • Introduction to Rock Climbing
Mar 03
Outdoor Leadership Year 2

Year 2 Sample Courses

  • Creation Care and Environmental Stewardship
  • Outdoor Camping Skills
  • Outdoor Ministry
Mar 03
Outdoor Leadership Year 3

Year 3 Sample Courses

  • Outdoor Program Administration
  • Park Planning and Design
  • Whitewater Kayaking
Mar 03
Outdoor Leadership Year 4

Year 4 Sample Courses

  • Experiential Education: Philosophy and Curriculum Design
  • Wilderness First Responder

Elevate Your Perspective

You’ll also take Chapel for the first seven semesters, and Cultural Events for the first four semesters. This is the NGU difference, how you find your peak performance and elevate your perspective, intellectually, emotionally, and spiritually.

Have Questions about the Outdoor Leadership Concentration?

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Sam Keith, PhD

Director, Center for Outdoor Leadership
sam.keith@ngu.edu

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