Outdoor Classrooms

Students majoring in recreation professions are emersed in experiential learning, outside the traditional classroom. Southern Illinois is located in the perfect area for students to get outdoors and there are many opportunities for resume building. Our classes include rock climbing, backpacking, canoeing, or mountain biking, as well as land navigation, trail building, and outdoor living skills.

These opportunities are found in the nearby Shawnee National Forest, Giant City State Park, and the university’s Touch of Nature. SIU is the perfect school for students wanting to prepare for careers in the great outdoors.

When students complete their experience at Southern Illinois, they are prepared for a variety of careers encountered at nearby state parks and recreation areas, including outdoor industry product testing or store management, campground management, outdoor or wilderness school teacher, outfitter, wilderness guide, adventure education and leadership development, and collegiate outdoor pursuits leadership.