Outdoor Education at Colorado College provides co-curricular opportunities for students to explore the outdoors and develop leadership skills for lifelong learning. Our services and programs are complemented by a variety of facilities on campus, including a climbing gym, kayak roll sessions, bike and ski co-op center, and an equipment rental center. We also offer 24 leadership training curriculums and more than 120 trip offerings throughout the year. 

Outdoor Education is dedicated to the college’s strategic plan priorities on inclusivity and diversity. By providing additional financial aid for need-based students, more students are able to experience the outdoors during weekend and block break trips —including backpacking, rock climbing, skiing, leadership training, rafting, and much more!

These experiences help to develop a sense of place and personal confidence in leadership. It is important to create greater access to these opportunities through financial assistance.

Your gift directly supports students by helping them afford trips and activities that provide them with valuable new outdoor learning experiences. 

In 2016–17, we were able to provide financial support for 172 students who had the chance to ski for the first time, get training in wilderness medicine, or travel internationally for the first time — just to name a few.

Since we are focusing on first-time experiences, we want to provide the means for students to try first-time activities and trips. These experiences add value to each student’s education beyond the classroom, giving them opportunities to learn how to adapt to new and unusual activities and scenarios while also working together.  

These activities can be profound and life-changing, and I hope you will support these transformative experiences!