WSU Offering New Degree in Adventure

Weber State University is offering an opportunity to get individuals engaged in outdoor recreation activities and leadership. Beginning fall semester, the Jerry & Vickie Moyes College of Education will launch a new Bachelor of Science in Outdoor & Community Recreation Education.

Outdoor recreation contributes significantly to the Utah economy. According to an Outdoor Industry Association report, consumers spent $12.3 billion in outdoor recreation in Utah in 2016. Of that $3.9 billion went to wages of local workers and another $737 million to state and local tax revenue. Nearly 82 percent of all Utahns participate in outdoor recreation every year.

“Obviously, in the state of Utah, much of our economy is based on outdoor recreation,” said Cass Morgan, WSU program director and assistant professor of outdoor & community recreation education. “It’s an economic powerhouse. So I am optimistic that this new degree program at Weber State, being so close to several recreation agencies, ski resorts and public lands, will be very successful.”  

The outdoor recreation industry in Utah supports 110,000 local employees. These employees work to cover the 54 million acres of public land, five national parks, 43 state parks and 14 ski resorts in Utah.  In addition to all of the recreational uses of public lands, major outdoor retailers have set up their U.S. headquarters in the state of Utah.

Teaching students how to properly manage recreational programs and facilities is part of the new WSU major, focused on teaching the skills and leadership necessary to have a career in the recreation industry. The outdoor and community recreation program will have two tracks: one focused on outdoor recreation administration and the other on community recreation administration.

“This program is focused on providing students the administrative and management skills necessary for the profession and to equip students to pursue advancement beyond entry-level positions,” Morgan said. “Two classes offered this fall, Introduction to Outdoor Pursuits, and Recreation and Leisure in Modern Society, are open to all students and are a great way to learn about both outdoor recreation activities and possible career paths.”

This major offers students the opportunity to work in various careers with the U.S. National Park Service, the U.S. Forest Service, municipal parks and recreation departments, campus recreation, youth development agencies, travel and tourism, outdoor education programs and schools, commercial guiding and instruction, and outdoor retail.

For more information on the new degree program visit weber.edu/HPHP.

Visit weber.edu/wsutoday for more news about Weber State University.

Contact:

Cass Morgan, Outdoor & Community Recreation Education program director
801-626-6730 • cassmorgan@weber.edu

Author:

Charles Bowker, Office of Marketing & Communications
801-626-7295 • charlesbowker@weber.edu