Also, see Information on Outdoor Education Minor and Major Programs

Classes Held Full Semester or Half Semester Taught on regularly scheduled days each week throughout the semester or half-semester: Advanced Dutch Oven Cooking | Advanced Rock Climbing | Beginning Cross-country Skiing | Cross-country Skiing: Telemark | Beginning Kayaking | Beginning Rock Climbing | Beginning Windsurfing | Bicycling  | Dutch Oven Cooking | Gym Climbing | Intermediate Kayaking | Intermediate Telemark Ski | Methods of Teaching Outdoor Education Activities | Survey of Outdoor Education Literature

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Classes Held in a Workshop Format Taught on weekends, evenings or several-day periods.  Check Outdoor Class Schedule for dates, times & locations: Advanced Rock Climbing Workshop--Summer | Avalanche Safety Workshop | Backcountry Map and Compass Workshop--Summer | Basic Mountaineering Workshop | Beginning Kayaking Workshop--Summer | Beginning Rock Climbing Workshop--Fall or Spring Semester | Beginning Rock Climbing Wksp--Summer | Canoe Workshop--Summer | Gym Climbing Workshop | Intermediate Kayak Workshop--Sumer | Map and Compass Workshop--Fall | Outdoor Leadership | Practical Outdoor Skills | River Safety Workshop--Summer | Sawtooth Mountain Goat-Winter Camping-Backcountry Skiing Workshop | Telemark Workshop | Wilderness Survival Workshop | Winter Survival Workshop

Classes (Held Full Semester or Half Semester)

Advanced Dutch-Oven Cooking - PEAC 182C 1 credit (Fall Semester)
Designed for serious dutch oven devotees, the advanced course expands upon the basics taught in the beginning class. Course content includes large group meal planning, dutch oven catering, garnishing and presentation of meals, gourmet meal preparation, and competitive cooking. 

Beginning Cross-country Skiing - PEAC 177A  1 credit (Spring Semester)
Designed for beginning skiers, this class introduces students to flat-track techniques and progresses to uphill and downhill techniques. Indoor lectures are combined with field trips to local cross-country ski areas. See Class Syllabus. 

Beginning Cross-country Skiing: Telemark - PEAC 178A 1 credit (Spring Semester)
This class covers the fundamental skills of executing downhill turns on cross-country skis. This classic cross-country turn known as the telemark is the primary emphasis of the class, but wedge, stem christie and parallel turns are also taught. Telemark skiing classes are offered in two formats: once a week through the first half of the spring semester or as a workshop. See Class Syllabus. 

Beginning Kayaking - PEAC 175A 1 credit (Fall & Spring Semester)
Using the controlled environment of the ISU pool, this course covers the basic skills of kayaking including draw and sculling strokes, high and low bracing, eddy turns, deep water rescue techniques, river safety, and the all-important Eskimo roll. For more information, see class syllabus. 

Beginning Rock Climbing - PEAC 176A - 1 credit (Fall & Spring Semester)
Designed for students with little or no climbing experience, this outdoor course covers basic climbing including knot tying, belaying, movement techniques, top rope anchor systems, and safety procedures.  See Class Syllabus. 

Beginning Windsurfing - PEAC 180A 1 credit (Spring Semester)
This is an introduction to the basic skills of sailboarding including sail rigging, sailing maneuvers, wind reading and windsurfing safety. See Class Syllabus. 

Bicycling - PEAC 181 - 1 credit (Fall Semester)
Covers both mountain and road biking, this course combines a series of indoor lectures with practical outdoor riding experience. Topics include bike riding techniques, clothing, equipment, safety, and maintenance. See Class Syllabus. 

Dutch Oven Cooking - PEAC 182A - 1 credit 
The dutch oven cooking course covers basic food preparation, meal planning, and the care and use of cast iron Dutch ovens. In addition to nightly demonstrations by guest chefs, students in the class gain experience by selecting recipes, buying food and preparing their own meals.  See Class Syllabus. 

Gym Climbing - PEAC 176A-02 - 1 credit (Spring Semester)
This beginning climbing class is taught entirely indoors at the Idaho State University Indoor Climbing Wall. Skills and topics covered in the course include climbing knots, belaying procedures, basic equipment, movement techniques, and safety.  See Class Syllabus. 

Intermediate Telemark Ski - PEAC 179B - 1 credit (Spring Semester)
The Intermediate Telemark Class is designed to help students increase the proficiency of their telemark turn. Class instruction takes place at Pebble Creek Ski Area, allowing plenty of time to practice technique. 

Intermediate Kayaking and Whitewater Safety - PE 284 - 1 credit (Fall & Spring)
Utilizing a combination of indoor pool sessions and actual experience on rivers, this course builds upon the foundation established in the beginning kayaking class. In addition to classroom work, emphasis is placed on refinement of paddle strokes and rolling techniques. 

Advanced Rock Climbing and Climbing Safety -PE 383 - 2 credits (Spring Only)
Advanced Rock Climbing extends a climber's skill range from top roping to lead climbing techniques. Course content includes belay anchors, route protection, lead and aid climbing, minimal impact techniques, and safety and rescue procedures.  See Class Syllabus. 

Survey of Outdoor Education Literature  PE 440 - 2 credits.  (Fall Only)
An  examination of recent research, literature and contemporary writing in  outdoor education.  Course work consists of a series of reading  assignments followed by oral reports and class discussions. See Class Syllabus. 

Methods of Teaching Outdoor Activities and Practicum  PE 445 - 3  credits. (Spring Only) 
This culminating course for outdoor education minors consists of two parts: a study of the objectives, programs and methods of teaching outdoor recreation activities followed by a practicum experience in which students assist in teaching and leading outdoor activities.  PREREQ:  PE 386, PE 440, AND PERMISSION OF INSTRUCTOR. See Class Syllabus. 

Practical Outdoor Skills - PE 281 - 1 credit (Fall & Spring Semester)
This class is a broad overview of outdoor education and outdoor adventure activities.  It is designed primarily for Physical Education majors, but anyone interested in an introductory course to outdoor education will find it informative. Students will have an opportunity to participate in several outdoor activities such as kayaking, rock climbing, canoeing, and outdoor navigation. Additionally, class members will learn a few basic outdoor skills including knot tying, fly casting, map and compass, and initiative games.  Throughout the class, discussion will be directed toward ways in which outdoor activities can be incorporated in public school or youth programs. See Class Syllabus. 

Advanced Rock Climbing Workshop - PE 491/PE 591 - 1 credit (Summer Only)
The Advance Rock Climbing Workshop is a week long workshop devoted to advancing and refining climbing techniques. Topics include: using and placing rock protection, setting advance belay anchors, refining lead and aid climbing techniques, and minimizing environmental impact.  See Class Syllabus. 

Avalanche and Winter Sports Safety - PE 286 - 1 credit  (Spring Semester)
Avalanches are, by far, the most serious montain hazard in the winter, and this course helps equip winter travelers with the knowledge and skills to minimize or avoid these hazards. Lecture topics include: snow crystal identification, snow pack metamorphism and factores influencing avalanche formation. Field sessions include: snowpit analysis, use of transceivers, rescue techniques and backcountry safety considerations. For more information, see Class Syllabus. 

Backcountry Map and Compass Workshop - PE 491/PE 591 - 1 credit (Summer Session Only)
(Note a similar Map and Compass Workshop Class is offered in the fall under the course number PE 183).  This course is the summer version of the Map and Compass Workshop. Topics are the same, but are oriented towards land navigation skills in remote areas. For more information, see Class Syllabus. 

Basic Mountaineering Workshop - PEAC 185 - 1 credit (Spring Semester)
Designed for students who wish to climb mountains on a non-technical, "walk-up" basis, this course covers such practical skills as ice ax use, rope team travel, clothing and equipment, objective and subjective hazards, hypothermia, and acute mountain sickness. 

Beginning Kayaking Workshop - PE 491/PE 591 - 1 credit (Summer Session Only)
This workshop begins with introductory pool sessions and then quickly moves outdoor where students can learn and practice kayaking skills on rivers. Skills and topics covered include paddling and rolling techniques, water hydraulics, reading whitewater, route selection, safety procedures and planning and organizing trips.  See Class Syllabus. 

Beginning Rock Climbing Workshop - PE 299 - 1 credit (Fall or Spring Semester)
This is a beginning class on climbing taught in a workshop format. Evening lectures are combined with a weekend trip to a nearby climbing area. Course content is the same as the Beginning Rock Climbing class. See Class Syllabus. 

Beginning Rock Climbing Workshop - PE 491/PE 591 - 1 credit (Summer Session Only)
This five day intensive workshop is held in the summer at a nearby climbing area. Course content includes rope handling, knot tying, belaying, anchor systems, climbing ethics and safety.  See Class Syllabus. 

Canoe Workshop - PE 491/PE 591 - 1 credit (Summer Session Only)
The Canoe Workshop is held during the summer and consists of evening lectures, a day long practice session at a local lake, and an overnight canoe trip. Designed as a starter course in canoeing, this class encompasses both the American Red Cross and Indian canoeing styles, and covers paddling techniques, canoe design, equipment, clothing, route navigation, safety and rescue. See Class Syllabus.

Gym Climbing Workshop - PEAC 189 - 1 credit (Spring Only)
This beginning climbing class is taught entirely indoors at the Idaho State University Indoor Climbing wall. Skills and topics covered in the course include climbing knots, belaying procedures, basic equipment, movement techniques and safety.  See Class Syllabus. 

Intermediate Kayak Workshop - PE 491/PE 591 - 1 credit (Summer Session Only)
This class is spent entirely on rivers practicing such kayak techniques as reading water, eddy turns, surfing, and safety and rescue.  If you have the basic skills but want to get out and spend a lot of time on the river practicing and refining those skills, then this is the class for you. It's only offered in the summer and is usually held on the Payette River system where we hold a special use permit.  See Class Syllabus. 

Map, Compass and Backcountry Navigation - PE 282 - 1 credit (Fall Semester)
The use of map and compass is one of the most basic of outdoor skills.  This class is designed to provide enough information and practical experience that students will feel comfortable with land navigation techniques.  Topics covered include:  map symbols, contour line identification, Universal Transverse Mercator Coordinate System, township and range surveying system, latitude and longitude, map scales, declination, resection and map and field bearings.  During the class students go on three map and compass courses. For more information, see Class Syllabus. 

Outdoor Leadership - PE 386 - 2 credits 
The Outdoor Leadership course, held in a seminar format, is designed to provide students with the knowledge to organize and lead outdoor activities. Topics covered include leadership styles, liability, program promotion, planning meeting, safety and environmental impact. During the course of the semester, students will help teach selected outdoor skills and organize and lead at least one trip. For more information, see Class Syllabus. 

River Safety & Swiftwater Rescue - PE 381 -1 credit (Summer Only)
This two-day workshop is designed to help river users to respond quickly and safely to water emergencies. Topics include self rescue, broaching, entrapment, throw rope technique, Z-pulley systems, first aid, rescue equipment, kayak and raft rescue, swift water safety, etc.  See Class Syllabus. 

Winter Camping & Backcountry Travel  - PE 280 - 1 credit (Spring Session)
This workshop is a well-rounded introduction to winter camping and wildlife observation, including an explanation of techniques, equipment, and safety considerations.  The goal of this workshop is to give students the basic skills and knowledge to safely enjoy and further explore the wonders of winter camping and wildlife observation.  Students will be volunteering to assist the Sawtooth National Forest with a mountain goat monitoring and research project.  See Class Syllabus. 

Telemark Workshop - PEAC 178D - 1 credit (Spring Semester)
This class covers the same material as the beginning telemark class (PEAC 178A) but in an evening lecture-weekend workshop format.  See Class Syllabus. 

Wilderness Survival Workshop - PEAC 118  1 credit (Fall Semester)
The focus of this course is to provide students with enough knowledge and skills necessary to survive a 72-hour emergency. Course content includes: signaling, shelter building, hypothermia, survival kits, fire building, direction finding and desert hazards. Though winter survival is briefly covered, the Outdoor Survival class is primarily devoted to emergency situations occurring in the summer and fall.  The type of shelter constructed during the overnight field session is primarily a summer/fall shelter.  In years past, Idaho's weather has provided several inches of snow to add that extra challenge and insight into wilderness survival.  The knowledge gained could save your life.  For more information see: Class Syllabus .