Academic Classes
Summer 2025 classes and clinics
Earn credits with Outdoor Adventures!
Outdoor Adventures offers academic and recreational courses throughout the year. These courses are a great way to develop your skills and expand your resume. The RECR and NRM classes allow you to learn a new sport, travel into Alaska's backcountry and gain the experience and confidence to do these sports on your own or with friends in the future.
Not for credit. Sign up for this course on the MyNook Rec portal or through the Outdoor Adventures office
Cost: $115
Instructor: Maggie Harings
Location: UAF Patty Pool
When: March 26th and April 2nd. This is a two part class.
Time: 7:30pm - 9:30pm both days. 2 hours each day for a total of 4 hours of instruction
Fundamentals 1-2 is a two-session course that was developed to instill confidence in new boaters and allow those with experience to fine-tune skills with personlized feedback. This course incorporates both on-shore and on-water components pertaining to gear overview, maintenence, and boat terminology; paddling strokes; paddling safety; and wet re-entry. All activities are challenge-by-choice as a means of fostering an environment where students can progress at the pace they are comfortable with. This course is a fantastic opportunity to become a more confident paddler over the winter!
***PLEASE NOTE*** This is an ACA sactioned course. To align with ACA requirements, please complete an ACA waiver before the start of class and either email a copy to margaretharings@gmail.com or bring a printed copy to class. For liability reassons, students will not be able to participate until this form is completed. Students will also need to either pay the one-time ACA event fee ($10) or purchase an ACA membership ($35/yr) prior to the course. The ACA membership comes with several additional perks including pro deals and no required event fee should students choose to take another ACA class in the USA. Finally, if students do not have a UAF gym membership, they will need to pay $7 cash each day for the UAF non-member pool fee.
Quick Link To Register
Not for credit. Sign up for this course on the MyNook Rec portal or through the Outdoor Adventures office
Cost: $115
Instructor: Maggie Harings
Location: UAF Patty Pool
When: April 9th and April 16th. This is a two part class.
Time: 7:30pm - 9:30pm both days. 2 hours each day for a total of 4 hours of instruction
The Ladies Takeover Packraft Fundamentals 1-2 is a two-session course that was developed to instill confidence in new boaters and allow those with experience to fine-tune skills with personlized feedback. This course is specifically for women and will be taught exclusively by women. This course incorporates both on-shore and on-water components pertaining to gear overview, maintenence, and boat terminology; paddling strokes; paddling safety; and wet re-entry. All activities are challenge-by-choice as a means of fostering an environment where students can progress at the pace they are comfortable with. This course is a fantastic opportunity to become a more confident paddler over the winter!
***PLEASE NOTE*** This is an ACA sactioned course. To align with ACA requirements, please complete an ACA waiver before the start of class and either email a copy to margaretharings@gmail.com or bring a printed copy to class. For liability reassons, students will not be able to participate until this form is completed. Students will also need to either pay the one-time ACA event fee ($10) or purchase an ACA membership ($35/yr) prior to the course. The ACA membership comes with several additional perks including pro deals and no required event fee should students choose to take another ACA class in the USA. Finally, if students do not have a UAF gym membership, they will need to pay $7 cash each day for the UAF non-member pool fee.
Quick Link To Register
Not for credit. Sign up for this course on the MyNook Rec portal or through the Outdoor Adventures office
Cost: $115
Instructor: Maggie Harings
Location: UAF Patty Pool
When: April 23rd and 30th. This is a two part class.
Time: 7:30pm - 9:30pm both days. 2 hours each day for a total of 4 hours of instruction
Intro to Packrafting Safety is a two-session course that provides an introduction to just that: basic packrafting safety! This course is a perfect fit for those with some (or no!) paddling experience who want to gain confidence in all things safety. Students will be guided through steps they can take to efficiently and effectively handle out-of-boat experiences, self-rescues, group rescues, and techniques for communication during these events. This course will also address proper paddling attire, gear safety, and considerations for rigging packrafts in a safe but effective manner. This course incorporates both on-shore and on-water components. All activities are challenge-by-choice as a means of fostering an environment where students can progress at the pace they are comfortable with. This course is a fantastic opportunity to become a more confident paddler over the winter!
***PLEASE NOTE*** This is an ACA sactioned course. To align with ACA requirements, please complete an ACA waiver before the start of class and either email a copy to margaretharings@gmail.com or bring a printed copy to class. For liability reassons, students will not be able to participate until this form is completed. Students will also need to either pay the one-time ACA event fee ($10) or purchase an ACA membership ($35/yr) prior to the course. The ACA membership comes with several additional perks including pro deals and no required event fee should students choose to take another ACA class in the USA. Finally, if students do not have a UAF gym membership, they will need to pay $7 cash each day for the UAF non-member pool fee.
Quick Link To Register
Not for credit. Sign up for this course on the MyNook Rec portal or through the Outdoor Adventures office
Cost: $115
Instructor: Maggie Harings
Location: UAF Patty Pool
When: May 7th and 14th. This is a two part class.
Time: 7:30pm - 9:30pm both days. 2 hours each day for a total of 4 hours of instruction
Intro to Packrafting Safety is a two-session course that provides an introduction to just that: basic packrafting safety! This course is a perfect fit for those with some (or no!) paddling experience who want to gain confidence in all things safety. Students will be guided through steps they can take to efficiently and effectively handle out-of-boat experiences, self-rescues, group rescues, and techniques for communication during these events. This course will also address proper paddling attire, gear safety, and considerations for rigging packrafts in a safe but effective manner. This course incorporates both on-shore and on-water components. All activities are challenge-by-choice as a means of fostering an environment where students can progress at the pace they are comfortable with. This course is for women and will be taught exclusively by women. This course is a fantastic opportunity to become a more confident paddler over the winter!
***PLEASE NOTE*** This is an ACA sactioned course. To align with ACA requirements, please complete an ACA waiver before the start of class and either email a copy to margaretharings@gmail.com or bring a printed copy to class. For liability reassons, students will not be able to participate until this form is completed. Students will also need to either pay the one-time ACA event fee ($10) or purchase an ACA membership ($35/yr) prior to the course. The ACA membership comes with several additional perks including pro deals and no required event fee should students choose to take another ACA class in the USA. Finally, if students do not have a UAF gym membership, they will need to pay $7 cash each day for the UAF non-member pool fee.
Quick Link To Register
Not for credit. This course is currently full with a waitlist. Please contact Frank Olive for more information folive@alaska.edu
Cost: $950
Instructor: Fred Harbison
Location: Moose Mountain Base Lodge
When: May 5-13 8am-6pm
The WFR is 72+ hours long, and is a comprehensive and in-depth look at the standards and skills of dealing with: Response and Assessment, Musculoskeletal Injuries, Environmental Emergencies and Survival Skills, Soft Tissue Injuries, and Medical Emergencies. Although these appear to be the same basic topics covered in our two-day WFA course, they are covered far more extensively, and there is much more hands-on practice. Additional topics, such as CPR, are also included.
Note: This course is not covered under the general field researcher training but arrangements can be made to pay for this course with departmental JVs
Not for credit. This course is currently full with a waitlist. Please contact Frank Olive for more information folive@alaska.edu
Cost: $300
Instructor: Fred Harbison
Location:UAF, (old) UPARK 155
When: April 30th-May 2nd
This three day course will recertify your Wilderness First Responder Training for another 2 years. This SOLO course will work to recertify any of the major providers certification (WMI, WMA, AERIE, SOLO). This will tune up your backcountry medical skills and remind you of all the things that have leaked out of your brain over the last couple of years. CPR and AED is included in this re-cert. (Current certification is required to re-cert)
Note: This course is not covered under the general field researcher training but arrangements can be made to pay for this course with departmental JVs
Not for credit. Sign up for this course on the MyNook Rec portal or through the Outdoor Adventures office
Cost: $250 (drysuits and other PPE available for a rental fee if needed)
Instructor: Sam Stone
Location:UAF Outdoor Adventures
When: May 22nd and 23rd
This is a two day intensive American Canoe Association L3/4 Swiftwater Rescue course focusing on skills utilized to safetly extract boats and individuals from moving water environments. Topics include: swimming in moving water, wading, throwropes, mechanical advantage, mitigating foot entrapment, and both shore based and river based extraction methods.
Direct link to registrations
Not for credit. Sign up for this course on the MyNook Rec portal or through the Outdoor Adventures office
Cost: $250 (drysuits and other PPE available for a rental fee if needed)
Instructor: Sam Stone
Location:UAF Outdoor Adventures
When: June 29th and 30th
This is a two day intensive American Canoe Association L3/4 Swiftwater Rescue course focusing on skills utilized to safetly extract boats and individuals from moving water environments. Topics include: swimming in moving water, wading, throwropes, mechanical advantage, mitigating foot entrapment, and both shore based and river based extraction methods.
Direct link to registrations
Not for credit. Sign up for this course on the MyNook Rec portal or through the Outdoor Adventures office
Cost: $250 (drysuits and other PPE available for a rental fee if needed)
Instructor: Sam Stone
Location:UAF Outdoor Adventures
When: July 19th and 20th
This is a two day intensive American Canoe Association L3/4 Swiftwater Rescue course focusing on skills utilized to safetly extract boats and individuals from moving water environments. Topics include: swimming in moving water, wading, throwropes, mechanical advantage, mitigating foot entrapment, and both shore based and river based extraction methods.
Direct link to registrations
1 Credit
Instructor: Sam Stone
Location: SRC 105 (Outdoor Adventures Office)
Field Fee: $300
Dates : 7/7 - 7/17
This course introduces students to whitewater kayaking and hydrology. Students will learn how to comfortably navigate a whitewater kayak in up to class 3 whitewater. Technical skills like forward paddling, surfing, eddy turns, boofing, and rolling will all be covered in this course. Additionally, soft skills like scouting and trip leading will be included in the cirriculum.
There are no prerequisites for this course; however, enrollees must be in adequate physical condition to carry 30-40 pounds for approximately a half mile and must have the ability to swim approximately 100ft with the assistance of a personal flotation device.
1 Credit
Instructor: Frank Olive
Location: SRC 105 (the Outdoor Adventures office)
Field Fee:$495
Classroom: Friday 6/13 6pm-9pm, Saturday 6/14 8am-5pm, Sunday 8/15 8am-5pm
Field Sessions: 6/16-22 Backpacking trip in the Brooks Range
This course is designed to introduce students to the art of backpacking the Arctic. We will cover a wide range of topics during the course. We will go over route planning, food preparation, gear choices, and emergency preparedness here in Fairbanks. We will then head out for a week-long backpacking trip in the Brooks Range. This environment will provide many opportunities for instruction and learning moments. We will specifically discuss navigation, river crossings, camp selection, safe bear practices and many of the Leave No Trace camping ethics that are important while backpacking in the Arctic.