Division of Student Affairs

On November 7, 2009 the BGSU Outdoor Program was awarded the David J. Webb Program Excellence Award by the Association of Outdoor Recreation and Education (AORE).  This national award recognizes one outstanding outdoor recreation program each year that provides dynamic and innovative services to its participants, demonstrates professionalism and high standards of conduct, and contributes to the outdoor community at large by sharing information and assisting other programs. The BGSU Outdoor Program (OP) is unique due to its location in Northwest Ohio. The OP has produced outstanding leaders who have gone on to work with and direct outdoor recreation programs in New York, Georgia, Colorado, Utah, and Alaska.  It is for this reason that the BGSU Outdoor Program is recognized for its contributions to the outdoor recreation community through the David J. Webb Program Excellence Award. The BGSU Outdoor Program becomes one of only seven organizations to receive this award.

BGSU – OP is part of the Department of Recreation and Wellness, offers students the opportunity to explore and learn about the outdoors in a variety of ways. BGSU – OP trips are the most popular experience for BGSU students. These expeditions include single day, weekend, and week-long trips around the Eastern United States. Trips include white water rafting, canoeing, kayaking, backpacking, rock climbing, horseback riding, caving, rappelling, and mountain biking.  The Outdoor Program also offers single and multi-day educational workshops on topics including Backpacking 101, Thru-hiking the Appalachian Trail, wilderness survival, and kayaking techniques.

BGSU – OP also operates the Climbing Wall (built in 2001) within the Student Recreation Center. Climbing specific activities for college students include yearly competitions, Climbing 101 courses, the 25,000 Ft. Challenge, lead climbing, and PEG 200: Intro to Rock Climbing.  Introduced three years ago was the Adrenaline Youth Climbing Club. This is an opportunity for the Outdoor Program to reach into the greater Bowling Green community to teach youth about climbing, teamwork, and healthy living.

Shortly after the introduction of the Climbing Wall, the OP added Team Building and Leadership Development to its offerings for the Bowling Green State University campus. Each year the OP staff will spend 75-100 hours facilitating team building with various campus organizations, sports teams, and academic classes. Through these sessions the OP staff assists groups to develop strong team bonds, problem solving skills, improved communication, and a greater sense of creativity to solve issues. 

More recently the OP has realized the importance and effectiveness of using the outdoors as an adventurous mediator of knowledge. In the summer of 2008, the OP created its first partnership with academic affairs to create the Freshman Wilderness Experience, a week-long backpacking trip coupled with a monthly class session to help incoming freshman transition into college life. The program was met with great success from the academic and student affairs communities. This program has continued to grow, becoming one of the flagship opportunities offered by the BGSU – OP. 

Congratulations to the BGSU Outdoor Program on receiving the 2009 David J. Webb Program Excellence Award.