Outdoor Pursuits | Campus Recreation

Outdoor Pursuits Online

While access to campus is limited, we are offering Outdoor Pursuits experiences through Microsoft Teams.

Recorded discussions, skills and clinics are offered on our webpages and on our YouTube channel.

Spring 2021 Programs

As many of us are “upping our backcountry game”, we are more likely to venture into terrain that can offer up a heap of risk, even danger. While backcountry access supports our pursuit of enlightenment, companionship, fitness and adventure, we only benefit from what we survive unscathed. Join Outdoor Pursuits (OP) for our spring 2021 leadership, safety and skills online retreats. We are online again this but rest assured, we will include interesting, provocative and new content and challenges. Upcoming interactive, inclusive, open discussion OP events for spring 2021 will include:

Avalanche Safety
Knots for Rock and Ice Climbing
Snowboard and Ski Tuning
Leave No Trace (LNT)
Leadership Styles

For program details visit our OP Spring 2021 Programs page, also linked on the left.

Research

Research and Learning

Challenging Conventions in Outdoor Education

Outdoor Pursuits is an aggregate of instructional, leadership, teambuilding and research programs. In addition to learning hard skills such as rock climbing and avalanche safety, teamwork and leadership, there is a broad knowledge base that goes along with participation in outdoor activities. While not always necessary for success in the outdoors, advanced and new knowledge can make participation more enriching and enjoyable.

We function on a philosophy of inquiry. That means we don't take much for granted and we can sometimes challenge convention within the outdoor education world. OP staff engage in literature review, new knowledge research and theoretical exploration from a questioning perspective.

We welcome student engagement in research projects and suggestions for topics we might pursue. Examples of previous projects can be seen below, on this page. Previous projects include pull-testing ropes and knots and studying learning and teaching strategies.

Student Involvement and Research

Research and Innovation

We welcome student engagement in research projects and suggestions for topics we might pursue. Examples of previous projects can be seen below, on this page. Projects include pull-testing ropes, knots and climbing devices and systems, and learning and teaching strategies.

Examples:
Knot pull-test

Wet knot pull-test

Select the drop-down menus below for additional research and resources.

For more information, please email Bryan at bfergus3@msudenver.edu??

Outdoor Pursuits has been involved in various research project. Here are links to some of those projects and links to work we found particularly interesting and germane to outdoor education. If you have an idea or suggestion for a research topic, please let us know.

Contact: bfergus3@msudenver.edu

Toughness of Climbing Materials in Alpine Climates

Kayak Study

Fear Coping in High Risk Seeking Athletes

Outdoor Pursuits Youtube

Tamarix: An Invasive Plant Species.

Outdoor Pursuits History

Mission and Diversity of OP

OP Mission Statement

To support the mission, values, and goals of Metropolitan State University of Denver by providing high quality and innovative co-curricular adventure-based experiences that foster personal, academic and professional success.

Diversity Statement
The staff of Outdoor Pursuits encourages an inclusive, open and welcoming atmosphere by designing and offering challenging programs for all skill levels. We endeavor to maintain a program that includes and welcomes people of all races, creeds, ethnicities, genders, sexual orientations, learning styles, economic levels, ages, regions of origin and physical abilities.

We recognize that all participants bring a level of experience, skill and ability. We will not make assumptions about others’ ability, interest or experience in the outdoors.

This statement is the result of the collaborative efforts of the Outdoor Adventure staff.

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