BHSU named among the top universities for outdoor adventurers in the nation

Black Hills State University was recently named to two national lists of the top universities in the nation for outdoor adventurers. The listings by AllThingsWaterProof.com and College Choice noted the Outdoor Education program at BHSU along with the University's close proximity to adventurous locales.

Black Hills State University was named to two national lists recently highlighting the University as one of the best for outdoor adventurers.

BHSU landed at #7 on the list of Top 10 Best U.S. Colleges and Universities for Outdoor Adventurers by AllThingsWaterproof.com, an outdoor and tech gear company, and #9 on the list of 20 Best Colleges and Universities for Outdoor Adventurers by College Choice, an independent online publication dedicated to helping students and their families find the right college.

The listings reference the Outdoor Education academic program at BHSU and the close proximity to "high adrenaline-fueled adventure."   

"At Black Hills State University, the faculty has met their adventure junkie students in the middle (so to speak) by offering a major in outdoor education in zoos, aquaria, lodges and field stations," according to the AllThingsWaterproof.com blog.

While many of BHSU students take part in outdoor adventures while living in Spearfish, Outdoor Education majors have many opportunities to learn immersed in beautiful environment that surrounds the campus. Christine McCart, instructor of outdoor education at BHSU, said many of the program's classes meet outdoors in the surrounding forests and waters minutes away from campus.

"It's a natural fit to have the state's only academic Outdoor Education program here in the Black Hills," said McCart.

McCart notes that the many outdoor activities that students and visitors participate in are actually a part of the BHSU Outdoor Education academic program: rock climbing, paddling, backpacking, swimming, orienting, cross country skiing, and fly fishing.

"Not only can you do these activities yourself, but you can also learn how to teach them to others. Our program focuses not just on adventure activities, but on the whole range of outdoor education," said McCart. "You can lead youth on nature hikes, or teach scouts about sustainable gardening, or interpret our beautiful surroundings through making signs or exhibits."

Careers for outdoor education students are as abundant as the outdoor activities. BHSU graduates are employed as interpreters, naturalists, adventure guides, information specialists for management agencies, business owners, recreation programmers and many other areas.

View the complete listings:
  • http://allthingswaterproof.com/top-10-universities-for-outdoor-adventurers/
  • http://www.collegechoice.net/rankings/best-colleges-and-universities-for-outdoors/