In the arid terrain of the Arizona desert, Derek Collins has grown accustomed to the language of the land and the soft wisdom of the ancient cultures radiating from the parched soil.
Looking back at a college career that began several years ago in Athens, Ohio and will conclude at Prescott College in Arizona, Collins remembers fondly the Ohio University mentors that emboldened him to pursue an intensive education in outdoor studies in the southwest.
I got really into rock climbing when I was at OU and slowly got involved with Outdoor Pursuits. I was on one of the backpacking trips when a friend of mine told me about Prescott College
he said. It was certainly what I was looking for. They have good programs at OU but they just don't have the geography.
In his new academic environment, which stresses outdoor experiential learning, Collins selected a program that allowed him to design his own major and choose mentors from which to garner practical experience.
In addition to developing such course work as Living with the Earth and Personal Sustainability Collins currently is utilizing the advice and guidance of Tony Nester and his company, Ancient Pathways.
Through the Flagstaff-based wilderness organization, which specializes in desert survival and primitive technology, Nester brings individuals from throughout the nation together to learn skills ranging from mammal tracking to bushcraft survival.
The newly-developed Southwest Semester offers students the opportunity to fully immerse themselves in traditional outdoor skills, Native American culture and traditional southwestern habits.
Often setting out without the simple luxuries of a tent or sleeping bag, participants embark on a variety of intense expeditions including a kayak trip to the Colorado River, an ultra-light trek in the Grand Canyon and visits with native guides on the Hopi and Hualapai tribal lands.
The combined experience often leaves participants feeling more self-reliant in their everyday lives, Nester said.
When you do it yourself and pour all of your energies into tasks like making a fire you come to appreciate the things our ancestors struggled with. People walk away feeling empowered by the skills they learn in this course. It makes you appreciate what you have at your back door in Ohio
Nester said.
Although Collins was compelled to seek an outdoor education beyond the limits of many Ohio institutions, OU's Outdoor Pursuits and outdoor learning courses sparked his initial interest.
A popular commodity each quarter as students schedule for upcoming classes, courses offered through the OU School of Recreation and Sports Sciences, ranging from survival to white water rafting, are invaluable to those who are open to the experience, Kent Delong, an OU recreation instructor, said.
I think outdoor learning can be significant in the grand scheme of things. Especially for non-majors
this type of experiential learning can provide experiences that are very unique. It helps to perpetuate the breadth of knowledge for most people
Delong said.
Beyond academia, the current demand for survival skills and outdoor learning experiences reflect the general American mentality, Nester said.
People are wanting to become more self-reliant and to connect with these old
valuable skills
especially with everything that's going on in the world today
Nester said.
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