Wilderness Experience

Catalog description

KINES 89 is a wilderness orientation program that is offered for incoming students to assist in their transition to life at Penn State. This course includes multiple days of backpacking in various locations. Through these activities students learn the various skills associated with backpacking and wilderness living which they can continue to use across the lifespan. Students are placed into small groups of eight to ten students with Penn State students and graduate students who mentor and lead the backpacking experience. Small group discussions are threaded throughout the course and focus on student life at Penn State. This class emphasizes teamwork, group living skills, nutritional strategies, living in the elements, wilderness ethics, and health and wellness by introducing students to the craft of backpacking, an activity that students can continue throughout their lifetime. Through this aspect of the course the aim is to help students develop skills to successfully manage their time and stress in order to better balance the physical, social and academic aspects of their lives. Throughout the class these various topics are addressed. Equipment for all activities is provided. Incoming students with all levels of experience may take this course. Both course travel and engagement in and completion of all other course content are required.