OELT News

NVU’s Outdoor Education, Leadership, and Tourism program faculty and students have been out in the local and regional community learning and sharing their knowledge in a variety of ways this semester. Here’s some program news from this semester.

OELT Student Learning and Working Experience

OELT students in the Co-Op course presented their Learning and Working experiences to the NVU-Lyndon community this week. From leading after school programs with local elementary schools through working with the Caledonia Trail Collaborative, the students gained the hands-on experience that makes a big difference in their education and careers as they fill critical roles in schools and organizations in the region. “Our students are a huge asset to the community while they themselves are learning a ton through working closely with local youth,” said OELT Associate Professor Ben Mirkin.

Presenting on his experience working with Kingdom East School District’s Afterschool Program, Thomas Decker shared that the staff offered “plenty of support, including ideas that you can use for programming and assistance with [student] behaviors, and anything else that may come your way. Sometimes things can get hectic, but every day is enjoyable watching the students’ gears spin when they learn something new.”

OELT at Risk Management Conference

OELT students attended the Wilderness Risk Management Conference in Burlington, VT in October with professors Brad Moskowitz and Ben Mirkin. It was a great experience for the thirteen students who joined in. They networked with professionals from around the world, staffed the exhibitor booth, and attended workshops to learn how to mitigate the risks inherent in exploring, working, teaching, and recreating in wild places.

OELT’s Mirkin Presents on Avalanche Safety

Associate Professor Ben Mirkin presented on Avalanche Safety for BRASS 101, which offers skiers and riders an educational program to help prepare for a safe season ahead. You can see the presentation here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zYvz_roMDKM

The non-profit Bryce and Ronnie Athlete Snow Safety Foundation (BRASS) was born out of the tragic avalanche deaths of U.S. Ski Team athletes Bryce Astle and Ronnie Berlack and to create a legacy of change in the culture of avalanche safety. Learn more here: https://brassavalanche.org/about/