The Conservation and Outdoor Recreation Education (CORE) Program offers a unique and adventurous learning experience for students who are interested in the outdoors and eager to develop their leadership skills. This innovative hybrid semester, adapted from Indiana University's renowned CORE model, blends academic rigor with exhilarating outdoor activities to create a transformative educational journey.
At the heart of the CORE Program is a semester-long immersion where you will spend half of your time in traditional classroom settings and the other half in nature. The program aims to foster personal growth and leadership skills through a mix of academic learning and hands-on outdoor experiences. This dynamic approach ensures that you will not only grasp theoretical concepts but also apply them in real-world scenarios.
The field component includes 40 days of outdoor living, where you will learn and refine technical skills such as rock climbing, whitewater paddling, and swiftwater rescue. You'll also earn Wilderness First Responder and Leave No Trace Master Educator certifications, enhancing your resume and preparing you for future career opportunities in outdoor and environmental fields. In the classroom, you'll engage with modern teaching methods, including experiential lessons and case studies, across various courses.
Develop leadership, communication, and outdoor adventure skills, all while being part of a close-knit community of like-minded individuals. Embark on this adventurous, educational journey with CORE and transform your university experience into an extraordinary adventure.
Instructors: Curt Davidson
DATES & CREDITS
Dates: Spring Semester TBD | ~40 field days* + ~40 classroom days
Credits: undergrads: up to 15 credits | graduate students: up to 12 credits
ENR 3900 / ENR 5890 Wilderness Medicine (3)
ENR 4400 / 5400 Behavior Management & Mental Health Promotion for Outdoor Professionals (3)
ORTM 4890 / 5890 Conservation Leadership for Outdoor & Tourism Professionals (3)
ENR 4890 / 5890 Programming, Leadership & Instructional Techniques for Experiential Education (3)
ENR 4890 / 5890 ENR Topics Course - topics vary (3)
Due to the intensive nature of the CORE Semester, students should not take additional courses outside the program.
*Field days will be scheduled throughout the semester. The schedule is subject to change.
REQUIREMENTS & ADMISSION
Open to all UW students. Preference given to applicants enrolled in Haub School programs.
Pre-requisites: ENR / ORTM 2800 or consent of instructor
Admission: program admission is dependent upon interview: APPLY HERE
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
Participants should be prepared for long periods of sitting, extensive walking, strenuous hiking, and rustic accommodations. Participants should be prepared to carry a pack (40lbs+) and spend full days and nights outdoors in changing weather conditions.
CORE TECHNICAL SKILL DEVELOPMENT
Skills: backpacking, winter camping, search and rescue, rock climbing site management, whitewater paddling, swiftwater rescue, and many others.
Certifications: Wilderness First Responder, Leave No Trace Master Educator, Behavioral First Responder.
CORE FIELD EXPERIENCES
Components: four field components totaling 40 days, focusing on outdoor living, technical and leadership skills, and a final three-week expedition to Utah’s canyon country.
Other possible locations include Jackson, WY, Medicine Bow National Forest, Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests.
PROGRAM FEE
Includes: lodging, meals, transportation, entrance fees, and instruction during field experiences, and some group equipment.
Does not include: UW tuition and fees, housing or meals in Laramie during classroom sessions, or personal equipment: boots, backpack, etc.
Program Fee 2025: $4976
SCHOLARSHIPS & FUNDING
We are not currently accepting applications for a CORE semester program.
Application Deadline:
QUESTIONS?
Please contact Dr. Curt Davidson for inquiries and collaboration opportunities:
Curt Davidson - curt.davidson@uwyo.edu