Southern Utah University

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Southern Utah University
Southern Utah University
Fall Semester 2025

Introductory Outdoor Recreation Experiences (Face-to-Face)

ORPT 1001-01

Course: ORPT 1001-01
Credits: 1
Term: Fall Semester 2025
Department: PEHP
CRN: 31401

Course Description

This course will introduce students to the benefits of participating in the amazing outdoor recreation possibilities available around SUU. Class will provide students with knowledge and skills in a variety of outdoor pursuits, as well as safety and ethical considerations, in order to enhance the outdoor recreation experience. Requires multiple outdoor trips, including at least one with the class that will occur on a weekend. (Fall - 1st Session, Spring - 2nd Session) [Graded (Standard Letter)]

Required Texts

None - supplemental materials will be provided through Canvas

Learning Outcomes

By the end of the class, students will:

  • Become familiar with the wide variety of outdoor recreation experiences available to them around SUU
  • Participate in at least 4 different outdoor recreation activities
  • Be able to use a variety of resources to plan and implement their own recreational trips on public lands
  • Be able to articulate the importance of ethics related to outdoor recreation
  • Be able to list appropriate equipment to take on every trip into the outdoors
  • Be able to discuss outdoor safety and ways to manage risks

Course Requirements

Assessment/Evaluation/Grading:

Your success in this class will be assessed by participation, attending class lectures, and the assignments below:
  • Discussion assignments
  • Leave No Trace - online training 
  • Reading Responses/Knowledge Check Quizzes 
  • Participation/Attendance 
  • Personal Outdoor Experience Reflections/Trip Plans
  • Final exam/reflection
Note: 1 credit hours = about 45 hours of total work according to SUU. This includes about 13 hours of time in class and 8(ish) hours of field trips, which means you should expect to do about 24 hours of work outside of class. For this class, homework looks like reading/assignments, but also writing about trips you do on your own! So, yes, you can get credit for this class by going on a hike on your own!

Student Expectations
This class will be an in person, face to face class with an expectation that students will arrive ready to engage in the material for that day. Classes will be a combination of lectures, discussion, and experiential learning. Expect to be present, part of discussions, and having read all required material for the day based on the schedule.

Classroom climate and full value contract: I am here to teach, but I am also here to learn. I expect all students to be willing collaborators in the learning process. We have much to learn from one another, and can only do so if we can freely share ideas without fear of judgment from your cohort or your instructor.

Acceptable and Unacceptable Use of AI: AI is inherently  “artificial”, and your learning should not be. Please refrain from using AI unless the specific assignment has additional instructions related to AI use. Use of automated systems is a tool, but not replacement for a skill set in critical thinking. Be intellectually curious and cultivate a desire to learn. Shortcuts rarely are. 

When assignments allow for the use of AI, all prompts must be shared, and the following will generally apply:
Allowed: Brainstorming ideas, checking grammar, summarizing long readings.
Never Allowed: Generating entire essays, solving problems without understanding, fabricating citations, utilizing AI as an attempt to deceive.
       
Other:
                                     
Statement of safety or risk assumption: 
Assumption of risk: By participating in this class, you are accepting certain inherent risks involved in outdoor recreation. A signed waiver and assumption of risk form will be a requirement of this class as well as a health history form. You may be asked to get physician’s approval before participating in some class activities. Trips for this class may involve riding in a van to the destination and traveling over rough terrain in an environment that has many inherent risks. These risks include but are not limited to falling, weather events, floods, lightning strikes, cold/heat related injuries/illness, plant/animal dangers, rockfall, negligence of instructor or peers, and equipment failures. Further, excursions involve the challenges of traveling outdoors, away from definitive medical/psychological assistance in the event of an incident.

Personal trips and risks: There are assignments for this class that involve you reflecting on your personal trips into the outdoors. The assignment is the reflection; the trip is something you plan on your own. What you do for those trips should depend on your experience, knowledge, skills, and especially judgement. For example, if you are going snowshoeing, you should know the risks of going to higher elevations, snow travel, cold exposure, and other hazards of winter travel. Your challenge is your choice and your safety is your responsibility. You participate in these personal activities with the full knowledge that accidents can still happen, and those are in no way the responsibility of SUU. If you feel your skill set is lacking, consider group outings with SUU Outdoors or come talk to me about how you can complete these reflection assignments.

Course Outline

Week 1 - Introductions, expectations, and some get to know you activities.
Week 2 - Challenge Course and 10 essentials
Week 3 - SUU Outdoors and Clothing/Equipment
Week 4 - Staying Safe in the Outdoors + Essential knotcraft
Week 5 - Climbing Wall
Week 6 - Rappel Station
Week 7 - Wrap up and Stoves/Cooking

Instructor's policies on late assignments and/or makeup work

Assignments will be given a due date and time. Any late work will not be eligible for full credit without prior written approval.

In general, without prior written approval: If you turn an assignment in after the due date and time it will be graded as though turned in on time, then whatever grade earned will be reduced by 50%. After 72 hours the assignment will be given an automatic zero (0).

Attendance Policy

This class relies heavily on in person laboratory work. As such, attendance is required. 1 free absence will be allowed. This is intended to cover things like minor illnesses, travel, or other personal obligations—so I encourage you to use this wisely.  (exception: the outdoor trip that will occur outside of class time, but is required, can not be your 1 free absence)

If you find yourself needing to miss more than 1 class session due to illness, family emergencies, or other significant circumstances, please reach out to me as soon as possible. I understand that life can be unpredictable, and I’m willing to work with students who communicate and show commitment to the course.

Please note that excessive absences (more than 1) without communication will affect your ability to keep up in class and will result in a lower final grade or difficulty passing. Make-up work is not guaranteed but may be offered in certain situations depending on the nature of the absence and the coursework missed. 

Ultimately, I want you to succeed and stay healthy—physically and mentally—so please keep me in the loop if something comes up.

Course Fees

$7.50 per credit hour

ADA Statement

Students with medical, psychological, learning, or other disabilities desiring academic adjustments, accommodations, or auxiliary aids will need to contact the Disability Resource Center, located in Room 206F of the Sharwan Smith Center or by phone at (435) 865-8042. The Disability Resource Center determines eligibility for and authorizes the provision of services.

If your instructor requires attendance, you may need to seek an ADA accommodation to request an exception to this attendance policy. Please contact the Disability Resource Center to determine what, if any, ADA accommodations are reasonable and appropriate.

Academic Credit

According to the federal definition of a Carnegie credit hour: A credit hour of work is the equivalent of approximately 60 minutes of class time or independent study work. A minimum of 45 hours of work by each student is required for each unit of credit. Credit is earned only when course requirements are met. One (1) credit hour is equivalent to 15 contact hours of lecture, discussion, testing, evaluation, or seminar, as well as 30 hours of student homework. An equivalent amount of work is expected for laboratory work, internships, practica, studio, and other academic work leading to the awarding of credit hours. Credit granted for individual courses, labs, or studio classes ranges from 0.5 to 15 credit hours per semester.

Academic Freedom

SUU is operated for the common good of the greater community it serves. The common good depends upon the free search for truth and its free exposition. Academic Freedom is the right of faculty to study, discuss, investigate, teach, and publish. Academic Freedom is essential to these purposes and applies to both teaching and research.

Academic Freedom in the realm of teaching is fundamental for the protection of the rights of the faculty member and of you, the student, with respect to the free pursuit of learning and discovery. Faculty members possess the right to full freedom in the classroom in discussing their subjects. They may present any controversial material relevant to their courses and their intended learning outcomes, but they shall take care not to introduce into their teaching controversial materials which have no relation to the subject being taught or the intended learning outcomes for the course.

As such, students enrolled in any course at SUU may encounter topics, perspectives, and ideas that are unfamiliar or controversial, with the educational intent of providing a meaningful learning environment that fosters your growth and development. These parameters related to Academic Freedom are included in SUU Policy 6.6.

Academic Misconduct

Scholastic honesty is expected of all students. Dishonesty will not be tolerated and will be prosecuted to the fullest extent (see SUU Policy 6.33). You are expected to have read and understood the current SUU student conduct code (SUU Policy 11.2) regarding student responsibilities and rights, the intellectual property policy (SUU Policy 5.52), information about procedures, and what constitutes acceptable behavior.

Please Note: The use of websites or services that sell essays is a violation of these policies; likewise, the use of websites or services that provide answers to assignments, quizzes, or tests is also a violation of these policies. Regarding the use of Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI), you should check with your individual course instructor.

Emergency Management Statement

In case of an emergency, the University's Emergency Notification System (ENS) will be activated. Students are encouraged to maintain updated contact information using the link on the homepage of the mySUU portal. In addition, students are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the Emergency Response Protocols posted in each classroom. Detailed information about the University's emergency management plan can be found at https://www.suu.edu/emergency.

HEOA Compliance Statement

For a full set of Higher Education Opportunity Act (HEOA) compliance statements, please visit https://www.suu.edu/heoa. The sharing of copyrighted material through peer-to-peer (P2P) file sharing, except as provided under U.S. copyright law, is prohibited by law; additional information can be found at https://my.suu.edu/help/article/1096/heoa-compliance-plan.

You are also expected to comply with policies regarding intellectual property (SUU Policy 5.52) and copyright (SUU Policy 5.54).

Mandatory Reporting

University policy (SUU Policy 5.60) requires instructors to report disclosures received from students that indicate they have been subjected to sexual misconduct/harassment. The University defines sexual harassment consistent with Federal Regulations (34 C.F.R. Part 106, Subpart D) to include quid pro quo, hostile environment harassment, sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, and stalking. When students communicate this information to an instructor in-person, by email, or within writing assignments, the instructor will report that to the Title IX Coordinator to ensure students receive support from the Title IX Office. A reporting form is available at https://cm.maxient.com/reportingform.php?SouthernUtahUniv

Non-Discrimination Statement

SUU is committed to fostering an inclusive community of lifelong learners and believes our university's encompassing of different views, beliefs, and identities makes us stronger, more innovative, and better prepared for the global society.

SUU does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, citizenship, sex (including sex discrimination and sexual harassment), sexual orientation, gender identity, age, ancestry, disability status, pregnancy, pregnancy-related conditions, genetic information, military status, veteran status, or other bases protected by applicable law in employment, treatment, admission, access to educational programs and activities, or other University benefits or services.

SUU strives to cultivate a campus environment that encourages freedom of expression from diverse viewpoints. We encourage all to dialogue within a spirit of respect, civility, and decency.

For additional information on non-discrimination, please see SUU Policy 5.27 and/or visit https://www.suu.edu/nondiscrimination.

Pregnancy

Students who are or become pregnant during this course may receive reasonable modifications to facilitate continued access and participation in the course. Pregnancy and related conditions are broadly defined to include pregnancy, childbirth, termination of pregnancy, lactation, related medical conditions, and recovery. To obtain reasonable modifications, please make a request to title9@suu.edu. To learn more visit: https://www.suu.edu/titleix/pregnancy.html.

Disclaimer Statement

Information contained in this syllabus, other than the grading, late assignments, makeup work, and attendance policies, may be subject to change with advance notice, as deemed appropriate by the instructor.