Mission
The Adventure Tourism and Outdoor Recreation program at Southwest Virginia Community College will provide training to develop a workforce for the outdoor recreation industry and to stimulate economic development. The programs are a unique blend of entrepreneurship, tourism, and recreation. The training received through the courses will emphasize job preparation for local and regional employers; not just producing recreational activity participants. The program achievers will be instructors, guides, and/or entrepreneurs (holding nationally recognized certification credentials) that have extensive knowledge of the outdoor recreation industry, activities, and risk management. They will work for retail businesses, outfitters, local/state/national parks, tourism/economic development, and non-profits. They will be entrepreneurs opening up businesses to support outdoor recreation initiatives, infrastructure and natural resources, developed and enhanced through various initiatives underway in Southwest Virginia.
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Adventure Tourism and Outdoor Recreation Degree and Certificates
Outdoor Leadership 
Complete the first two years of your bachelor's degree with us and transfer to complete. The transfer program provides your general education requirements plus offers courses in preparation, leadership and supervision, interpretation and education and more.
Outdoor Recreation
Learn the essential skills needed to lead and instruct groups through outdoor experiences. Knowledge learned includes preparation, planning, land navigation, basic survival, risk management, guest relations and more.
Adventure Tourism 
Course work directs students through the completion of a business plan, development of a marketing plan, setting up software to maintain accounting and payroll records, customer service, and more.
Environmental Management and Recreational Ecology
This is a two-year, four-semester program that prepares students to work in various types of forestry, parks, recreation, trail system, and other ecology-related technical jobs.
Environmental Management and Recreational Ecology Curriculum
Guide Essentials 
Learn to lead outdoor excursions for a variety of outdoor recreation activities and events. This course provides the skills needed to be successful working for an outfitter, adventure camp, or national, state, or local park.
Outdoor Interpretation & Education 
Prepares students to organize, plan, and conduct outdoor educational activities and events. Learn to protect and preserve natural resources to reduce the impact of activities, and to minimize the impact of potential risk.
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For more information, please fill out the form below:
Outdoor Adventure Programs Information
Outdoor Adventure Programs Info Form
