General description of the studies
Adventure Education – Theory meets practice -studies start with the basics of adventure education. The aim is to provide participants with practical skills to plan, produce and implement goal-oriented processes while utilizing adventure education methods. The training is intended for people who wish to develop their skills in activity-based methods and in experiential learning. The studies will be conducted in outdoor environments and adventurous activities (games and plays, hiking and camping, kayaking and biking), but the knowledge and skills will be broadly applicable to a wide range of activity-based methods.
The studies put into practice the principles of experiential learning, where learning takes place in a triangle: individual – group – environment. Students play a key role in taking their studies forward. Students take on practical responsibilities during their studies according to their skills and abilities, with lecturers acting as facilitators. The outcome of the studies is that students will be prepared to independently implement adventure education processes.
NB! More information on studies will follow. (Studies are not a degree program.)
Target group
These Open University of Applied Sciences studies are designed for a broad range of outdoor enthusiasts who are interested in learning more about adventure education. Studies are suitable as further education and training for people working in the field of education, youth work and teaching, and for those working in the field of adventure tourism and nature guiding.
These studies suit well for example for foreigners who work in Finland in the fields mentioned above and who would like to educate themselves further. Studies are implemented such that it is also possible to participate from abroad and travel to Finland for the duration of contact learning and field trips. Teaching and studying language is English.
Prerequisites
To participate successfully in the studies, students must be in good physical and mental health and have the necessary functional capacity to carry out the studies in practice. The student must be able to work in a variety of groups and social situations and act responsibly in a way that promotes safety. Students must be able to participate in field trips of several days’ duration, in wilderness setting, where sleeping takes place in tents and food is cooked with camping stoves. The form of travelling on these field trips is kayaking, biking and hiking. Ability to swim and ride a bicycle is required to be able to take part on the studies.
Students are expected to have suitable personal outdoor clothing for Finnish Spring/Autumn conditions. Students need also personal sleeping bag and sleeping mattress. More detailed equipment list will be provided later. Group equipment needed in the studies, such as tents, stoves, kayaks, bikes, will be provided by Humak.
Contents
Courses included in Adventure Education – Theory meets practice
- Introduction to Adventure Education, 2 ECTS
- Instructor Skills and Activity Based Methods, 5 ECTS
- Experiential Learning, 5 ECTS
- Outdoor Skills in Adventure Education, 10 ECTS
Teaching staff
Humak adventure education lecturers are highly trained and experienced outdoor professionals. Lecturers have broad pedagogical knowledge and good command in technical, safety and environmental skills.
- Kai Lehtonen: MEd, Special Education teacher, kayaking guide and instructor, hiking guide, ski instructor, avalanche instructor
- Eeva Mäkelä: M.Soc.Sc, ACMG Ski Guide, kayaking guide, hiking guide, rock climbing instructor, avalanche instructor
Cost of studies
The cost of the course is €300, which is payable upon registration.
In addition:
- Students are responsible for their own personal outdoor clothing and equipment
- Humak will provide group equipment such as tents, stoves, kayaks, bikes
- Students will be responsible for their travel to learning environments as well as lodging and meals during the studies
- There is variety of lodging options available in Röykkä and around Äkäslompolo
- There are restaurants/cafeterias at Röykkä and around Äkäslompolo
- Humak has an insurance for the activities during the studies
Further study opportunities
After completing these studies, it is possible to continue to Humak Bachelor’s Degree Program in Adventure and Outdoor Education. (Community Educator, Bachelor of Humanities, 210 ECTS). These bachelor studies will further develop adventure educator’s skills and knowledge and give a wider perspective for goal-oriented adventure programming.
Adventure Education – Theory meets practice (22 ECTS) consists of courses that are a part of the bachelor’s degree programme in adventure and outdoor education, and will be credited in full if you are later selected as a Humak degree student in a separate or joint application for the degree programme.
A student who has completed minimum of 40 ECTS of Humak open university studies can also apply to the degree programme throught the separate application of the open university pathway.
To be eligible for application on the basis of Open UAS studies, the applicant must have completed:
Adventure Education – Theory meets practice 22 ECTS (April 2024 – September 2024)
- Introduction to Adventure Education, 2 ECTS
- Instructor Skills and Activity Based Methods, 5 ECTS
- Experiential Learning, 5 ECTS
- Outdoor Skills in Adventure Education, 10 ECTS
In addition to the Adventure Education – Theory Meets Practice 22 ECTS package, the applicant must have completed at least these courses (20 credits):
- Promoting human rights and diversity, 5 ECTS (online studies, summer studies 2024)
- Collaborative pedagogy, 5 ECTS (online studies, summer studies 2024)
- Professional literary skills 5 ECTS (online studies, autumn 2024)
- Study skills and digital competencies 5 ECTS (online studies, autumn 2024)
Additionally, students may choose to complete any English-language courses offered in the Humak Open UAS, which can be accredited as part of their degree studies, such as:
- Finnish language 1, 5 ECTS (online studies, summer studies 2024)
- Employment relations and co-operation, 5 ECTS
- any available English-language common studies courses for example Projects and finances.
For more information about bachelor’s degree programme please see the curriculum of Adventure and Outdoor Education (Community Educator, Bachelor of Humanities, 210 ECTS).
Next open UAS separate application period is 1.-15.11.2024. Fill in and submit the Open UAS Path application in Studyinfo.fi website during the application period. The application link will be published by September 2024.
For more detailed information about Open UAS separate application please visit Humak UAS website.
Why Study at Humak Open University of Applied Sciences?
Humak University of Applied Sciences operates in the whole of Finland and is the country’s biggest educator in the following fields: youth work, organizational work, work community development, adventure and outdoor education, cultural management, and interpreting and linguistic accessibility.
Humak has about 2000 degree students and about 160 experts in various positions. Finland’s unique open university of applied sciences system and Humak’s extensive online training make high-quality academic studies available to everyone with affordable costs regardless of students’ background. Thousands of students take advantage of our wide selection of online courses every year.
