College Outdoor Leadership Programs

Experiential education and outdoor leadership programs for colleges and universities.

Outdoor Education for College and Continuing Education Students

At Northern Outdoors, our custom outdoor leadership programs are one of the most rewarding services we get to offer to young adults. Using experiential education, students learn a wealth of skills and industry expert insights in outdoor recreation sports, recreation leadership, risk management, sustainable tourism, group dynamics, team building, and much more. We can create the ideal experiential education program to meet your students’ needs with flexible itineraries, diverse activities, and varied course duration.


A custom programs can range from a one-day college sports team trip and student orientation to more complex, multi-day curriculum-based programs. Long-running custom college programs designed for Keene State College and Johnson & Wales University, for example, run from 7 to 28 days in length.

Outdoor Recreation Leadership Programs

Example: Keene State College Winter & Summer Courses
These hands-on, seven-day outdoor leadership courses deliver 4 undergraduate credits as participants explore the trails and landscape of western Maine. The course is available in the winter and summer. Students are housed in comfortable lodge accommodations throughout the program. Winter Courses: Team Building, Leadership Skills, Snowmobiling, Skiing, Map and Compass, Snowshoeing, and Snowboarding. See photos and story from the winter leadership course. Summer Courses: Team Building, Leadership Skills, Rafting, Climbing, Hiking and Map and Compass.
Expert Facilitators and Guides
Led by long-time Northern Outdoors Registered Maine Guides and experienced educators Sandra Howard, PhD, and Brent Arsenault, MS Education, these week-long interdisciplinary courses are open to matriculated and non-matriculated continuing education students who want to explore outdoor recreational leadership qualities, styles, and group dynamics from multiple perspectives (physical education, environmental science, sociology, communication).
Custom Programs Meet Your Group’s Needs
All programs and packages are customized to your group’s specific needs. Please give us a call or fill out the contact form with general information about your group. We’ll gladly help you meet – and surpass – your organization’s goals!

Northern Outdoors offers discounts for schools and non-profit groups. We have large cabins and group camping available for any size group. Give us a call to book your group!

Northern Outdoors’ year round resort is located in The Forks, Maine – get directions.

Team Building Activities – Rafting with Wheaton College Women’s Soccer Team Whitewater rafting, climbing, hiking, ropes courses, we love hosting team building, college and outdoor leadership programs. This past week Wheaton College Women’s Soccer Team joined us for some hiking, rafting and team bonding. The team hiked into Moxie Falls