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B.S.

Major in Outdoor Leadership

Become an outdoor leader • Develop your technical skills • Make a difference

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Thrive in the growing outdoor industry.

In the outdoor leadership major, you will learn to use your expertise in the outdoors to facilitate education and spiritual formation. With the Natural State and the Ozarks at your fingertips, you can pursue your passions, earn your certifications and cultivate your leadership skills.

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Earn your certifications

Students have the opportunity to earn certifications in wilderness first responder, ACA river canoeing or kayaking, swift water rescue, challenge course instructor and archery.

Guide your community

Lead wilderness excursions to help others challenge themselves, connect to nature and develop authentic community.

Grow in spirituality

Faculty mentor and disciple students in their spiritual walk with Christ and give them the tools to aid them in the growing of their faith. 

Learn to nurture growth through outdoor pursuits at JBU.

About outdoor leadership

Outdoor leadership students leave JBU with the necessary skills and knowledge for thriving in the outdoors through the hundreds of field experience hours they will accumulate during their time at JBU. 
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Rather than sitting in a classroom every class period, we have the chance to go outside and grow as leaders while doing activities. Through OL, I have learned so much about how to foster formation through intentional conversations and activities. After graduation, I plan to develop programs for nonprofits for older teens/young adults who have experienced extreme trauma.

Ellie Chavez '24

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What to expect as an outdoor leadership student at JBU

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Launch a meaningful career

You'll be prepared to nurture spiritual formation and serve others in a growing industry. The outdoor recreation economy generates $887 billion in consumer spending annually and directly sustains 7.6 million American jobs. (Outdoor Industry Association)

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Learn in Northwest Arkansas

Home to the Buffalo River, the Ozark Mountains, dozens of parks and camps and 218 miles of soft-surface mountain bike trails, Northwest Arkansas is a practical and beautiful place to study outdoor leadership.

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Specialize in wilderness medicine

JBU partners with Northwest Arkansas Community College to offer a specialization in wilderness medicine. Students can graduate as certified and licensed Wilderness Emergency Medical Technicians.

4+1 = your master's degree

Go farther, faster! At JBU, our Accelerated Master's Program lets you finish your undergraduate outdoor leadership ministries degree and your master's degree in outdoor program management in just five years — saving you money and setting you up for even more success.

Key outdoor leadership courses

Discipleship and Evangelism

A consideration of the biblical and practical application of discipleship and evangelism. The social, cultural, community and ontological ramifications of discipleship and evangelism are considered, as well as a critique of current issues, worldview and the needs of the 21st-century world.

Leadership and Human Systems

Examines the leadership practices necessary to develop processes, context, and culture to promote effective teams. Identifies how to integrate Christian worldview and the use of power in human systems.

Outdoor Living Skills

Introduction to basic living skills in wilderness environments. This course has a high level of hands-on activity, including a backpacking trip focused on skills such as Leave No Trace principles, appropriate clothing, water purification, stoves, fire building, navigation, meal planning and preparation, and trip planning.

Wilderness First Responder

Standards for outdoor professionals offering emergency medical care in remote areas. Consideration of prolonged transport times, severe environments, and portable equipment. Topics include wilderness trauma, search and rescue, and environmental emergencies. Students who pass the practical and written exams will earn a two-year Wilderness First Responder certificate from NOLS and a two-year American Heart Association Adult Heartsaver CPR Certification.

Meet our outdoor leadership professors

Greg-Robinson

Greg Robinson

Department Head, Bible and Ministry; Professor of Outdoor Leadership

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2000 W. University St., Siloam Springs, AR 72761
479-524-9500 jbuinfo@jbu.edu

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John Brown University

2000 W. University St., Siloam Springs, AR 72761

479-524-9500 jbuinfo@jbu.edu

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JBU does not unlawfully discriminate based on race, color, national or ethnic origin, sex, age, disability, marital status, military status, or age in the administration of its educational policies, admissions, financial aid, employment, educational programs, or activities.

John Brown University is a leading private Christian university, training students to honor God and serve others since 1919. Arkansas’ top-ranked university (The Wall Street Journal) and top-ranked regional university (U.S. News), JBU enrolls more than 2,200 students from 37 states and 42 countries in its traditional undergraduate, graduate, online and concurrent education programs. JBU offers more than 50 undergraduate majors, with top programs including nursing, psychology, construction management, graphic design, family and human services, and engineering. Eighteen graduate degrees are available in business, counseling, cybersecurity, and education.

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