Course Objectives

The course provides students with an introduction to outdoor life along the coastline, in the mountains, in the forests and on the various waterways of Norway. During the various study periods, students will cultivate basic skills and knowledge of outdoor life activities in various physical environments. Students will develop the basic skills required in the field of outdoor life, and learn to set goals for their own level of ability and work independently to improve their personal skills.

Course Description

The course is divided into three periods: forest/mountains, coast and waterways.

Forest/mountains - skills and knowledge:

• The importance of having enough energy in store when hiking in the wilderness, planning trips in accordance with one’s ability, choosing an area according to ability, safety, responsibility and consequence analysis
• Taking responsibility for one’s own learning.
• Planning trips: trips in groups, safety procedures and norms for participants
• Orientation and choice of route: map reading, place location, choice of route
• Shelter and making camp: choosing a campsite and making camp, constructing gapahuks (lean-to shelters), tents
• Clothing and equipment
• Food, campfires and cooking equipment
• Weather and weather signs
• Outings in the wild: laws and regulations; the importance of leaving no traces behind
• Knowledge of nature: landscape forms, plant and animal life in the mountains and forests
• Cultural knowledge: using the forests and mountains in a cultural historical perspective.
• Handicrafts: a course on knives
• Guiding theory: trip norms, procedures, organisation, working methods, leadership, learning from each other
• Trip planning, safety and guidelines for trips

Coast - skills and knowledge:

• The importance of having enough energy in store when hiking in the wilderness, planning trips in accordance with one’s ability, choosing an area according to ability, safety, responsibility and consequence analysis
• Taking responsibility for one’s own learning.
• Planning trips: sailing/rowing trips in groups, safety procedures and norms for participants
• Using boats: rowing, sailing, choice of harbour and mooring, manoeuvring, sharing tasks and roles, basic procedures etc.
• Skerries and navigation
• Weather, wind and currents
• Fishing, hunting and harvesting
• The various roles of the guide
• Sailing and rowing in small boats rigged with spritsails, tacking, reach, range and height, drift, ballast and packing of boats
• Maintenance of boats and equipment, rigging and sails
• Outings in the wild: laws and regulations; the importance of leaving no traces behind
• Coast nature and culture
• Guiding theory: trip norms, procedures, organisation, working methods, leadership in connection with outdoor life along the coast

Waterways, skills and knowledge:

• The importance of having enough energy in store when going on trips in the wilderness, planning trips in accordance with one’s ability, choosing an area according to ability, safety, responsibility and consequence analysis
• Taking responsibility for one’s own learning.
• Planning trips: paddling trips in groups, safety procedures and norms for participants
• Using canoes: paddling canoes on calm water and in rapids, choice of route on calm water, inspection of rapids, choice of route in rapids
• Lifesaving: rescuing oneself in calm water and rapids, and wading
• Lifesaving: rescuing others in calm water and rapids
• Shelter and making camp: lavvo (a traditional Sami tent) and canoe bivouac
• Outings in the wild: laws and regulations; the importance of leaving no traces behind
• Waterways nature and culture
• Guiding theory: trip norms, procedures, organisation, working methods, leadership in connection with outdoors trips using canoes

Learning Methods

The course is taught during the autumn semester. Teaching and learning methods include independent work by students, lectures, excursions (4 days), group work, independent trips by students and practical / problem-orientated guidance with regard to trips in various physical environments. The trips with a guide include a 4-day trip in the forest/mountains, a 8-day trip along the coast and a 5-day trip on the waterways. Students’ independent trips include a 4-day trip along the coast and a 10-day trip in the forest/mountains/waterways. Trips, independent trips and excursions are obligatory.

Assessment Methods

Portfolio assessment. The students will compile a portfolio for each part of their outdoor practice period. Two of the portfolios will be assessed. The examiner will select one of these; the student will select the other one. A graded mark will be allocated. The portfolio selected by the examiner will count for 60% of the final grade. The portfolio selected by the student will count for 40% of the final grade. In order to receive a diploma students must first have submitted all their portfolios and had them approved, and must also have participated actively in the obligatory trips, individual trips and excursions.

Minor adjustments may occur during the academic year, subject to the decision of the Dean