Northland College
Tier2-7: Outdoors Program

The Ed-venture Program is part of the Northland College Center for Wellness and Lifelong Learning and is dedicated to the promotion of physical activity, personal well-being, and a deeper understanding of nature through experience-based outdoor, adventure and environmental education. This is fostered through programs involving: Ecological understanding and awareness through natural history experiences and sustainable travel Skill development and personal challenge through outdoor sports such as kayaking, climbing and skiing Positive group dynamics, where participants are asked to be a part of something bigger than themselves Holistic development of the intellect through hands-on creative workshops Students as part of a course several years ago proposed a decision-making framework that builds on the LNT principles but expands them to consider travel footprint, gear choices, food, and location. Called the ASAP (As Sustainable As Possible) model, this model has been presented at national conferences and students from our Outdoor Education program have been in conversation with LNT organizers about including parts of the ASAP model in their framework. The ASAP model is used for all trips sponsored by the student association, Edventures trips, and trips through the department of Outdoor education. Here is further information: http://northlandcollegeoutdoored.wordpress.com/outreach/a-s-a-p-as-sustainable-as-possible/ All first-year students are required to take an Outdoor Orientation trip before classes begin.