Outdoor education climbs to new heights

This month's area of focus is the Health, Physical Education and Recreation Department.

CHADRON – Some classrooms don’t have walls.

Students in the Outdoor Adventure option at Chadron State College do get to climb them, however. Students who complete this option in the comprehensive sports and recreation major have a chance for some fun activities while getting acquainted with many facets of outdoor life in the region, including rock climbing.

Dr. Donna Ritzen, associate professor in Health, Physical Education and Recreation, teaches her students cross country skiing, orienteering, Geocaching, repelling, canoeing, kayaking, fishing, ice fishing, mountain biking and snow shoeing, in addition to rock climbing. She also teaches outdoor survival, which involves identifying edible plants, finding water sources and building shelters.

“These activities are made possible by taking advantage of the geographical areas we have available to us. These areas include C-Hill, Chadron State Park, the Nebraska National Forest and Custer State Park,” she said.

Ritzen said her favorite activity is rock climbing early in the fall semester.

“It sets the tone. It’s amazing to see how the students bond after we drive up to Sylvan Lake (South Dakota) together and spend the day rock climbing. The dynamics on the trip home are completely different. Students develop an increase in self-confidence when they face the challenges of rock climbing. It’s an incredible experience. I just love to see the changes in the students’ attitudes; it’s awesome,” she said.

In addition to seeing students develop increased confidence, Ritzen tries to expose the class to various types of learning experiences.

“I try to provide a wide range of hands-on learning experiences for my students. My goal is to expose students to as many opportunities as possible so they can make a decision to continue with employment or further certification in areas that interest them,” she said.

Over the years, Ritzen’s students have become camp counselors, camp managers, hunting guides, and owners of private white water rafting companies among other careers. They are also prepared to become municipal parks and recreation wellness coordinators or adventure travel coordinators, if they choose.

When the weather turns cold, Ritzen makes sure her HPER students have an opportunity to sample winter recreation opportunities such as ice fishing. NEBRASKAland Magazine Regional Editor and CSC alumnus Justin Haag accompanied the class to explain ice fishing, as well as how to drill fishing holes.

“Just as northwest Nebraska has a wealth of natural resources for people looking for an outdoor adventure, it also provides a great setting for students studying toward an outdoor adventures major,” Haag said.

In addition to completing outdoor adventures, students also have the opportunity to obtain the Wilderness Remote First Aid certification after completing the Outdoor Adventure Skill course. A majority of HPER majors take the initiative to obtain certifications after completing courses such as Lifeguarding, Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) for the Professional Rescuer, Safety and First Aid, and Water Safety Instructor courses.

Ritzen said the core of the degree is designed for students to learn management and leadership skills. Students will develop knowledge and skills in the areas of logistics, event and facility management, legal aspects, marketing, scheduling, communication, personnel management, and budgeting.

Community involvement is also an important facet of the major and eventually the student’s career. Ritzen has had her students set up the course for the Outdoor Adventure Race, a triathlon that includes trekking, mountain biking and kayaking in the hills south of Chadron. 

“I also strive to provide opportunities for those students who are interested in helping organizing and implementing special events for the Chadron Community Recreation program. The events include 5k, 10k, half marathon trail runs and adventure racing,” Ritzen said. 

Her students also assist with coordinating Challenge Days for kindergarten through fourth grade students, including animal track identification, orienteering and an obstacle courses. In the past, students have also helped organize and design activities for Outdoor Adventure Days for local fourth graders which included canoeing, kayaking, archery, fishing and orienteering. 

One of Ritzen’s future goals is to collaborate with the National Forest to provide opportunities for her students to work with the diverse populations in the surrounding areas.