Workshops Coming Soon!
Exciting workshops are coming soon to Kalamazoo College’s Outdoor Leadership Training Center, offering a variety of outdoor education experiences designed to enhance your skills and confidence in the great outdoors. While our courses are still in development, we are eager to hear from the community about the workshops and classes you’d like to see. Whether you’re interested in wilderness survival, navigation, paddling, or other outdoor pursuits, we welcome your ideas to help us create offerings that meet your needs. Stay tuned for updates as we prepare to launch our workshop series, and feel free to reach out with suggestions!
Please contact us at Outdoor.Programs@kzoo.edu with your workshop suggestions! We can’t wait to curate a course for you!
Backpacking Series
Backpacking Series – February 2025
Ready to take your backpacking skills to the next level? Join us for our February Backpacking Series, designed to teach you everything you need to know to confidently head out on your own adventures. The series kicks off on January 22, 2025 with a free introductory workshop on Leave No Trace principles and the 10 Essentials.
Following the free session, classes will be held Wednesday evenings (2 hours) and Saturday mornings (4 hours), each focusing on critical backpacking topics like navigation, gear packing, camp setup, cooking, water treatment, and more. Whether you’re new to backpacking or looking to refine your skills, this series is the perfect opportunity to learn in a fun and supportive environment.
| Topic | Date | Time | Day of Week | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Leave No Trace and the 10 essentials | January 22, 2025 | 2 hrs | Wednesday | FREE |
| How to Pack and Fit your Pack | February 5, 2025 | 2hrs | Wednesday | $55 |
| Backpacking Stoves and Cooking | February 8, 2025 | 4hrs | Saturday | $75 |
| Water Purification | February 12, 2025 | 2hrs | Wednesday | $55 |
| Map and Compass/Navigation | February 15, 2025 | 4hrs | Saturday | $75 |
| Basic Wilderness First Aid | February 19, 2025 | 2hrs | Wednesday | $55 |
| Camp Set Up/Shelter Building | February 22, 2025 | 4hrs | Saturday | $75 |
| Trip Planning | February 26, 2025 | 2hrs | Wednesday | $55 |
Climbing Series
Learn the skills you need to confidently and safely pursue climbing adventures! Our Climbing Workshops are designed to cover a variety of essential topics, including selecting the right climbing gear, setting up natural and gear anchors, and other foundational skills.
Workshops will be offered on both weekends and weekdays to fit your schedule. Whether you’re a beginner looking to get started or an experienced climber wanting to refine your techniques, these hands-on sessions are perfect for you.
| Topic | Date | Time | Day of Week | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Whats on your Rack? | January 22, 2025 | 2 hrs | Week Day | TBD |
| Natural Anchor Building | February 5, 2025 | 4hrs | Weekend | TBD |
| Gear Anchors | February 8, 2025 | 4hrs | Weekend | TBD |
Mountain Biking Clinics
Ready to ride? Join our Mountain Biking Clinics to develop the skills and confidence you need on the trail! These clinics are designed for riders of all experience levels, covering everything from fundamental techniques like braking, cornering, and shifting to advanced skills like climbing, descending, and line selection.
Clinics will be offered on weekends. Whether you’re new to mountain biking or looking to sharpen your skills, our expert instructors will guide you every pedal of the way.
| Date | Location | Time | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 24, 2025 | TBD | 4hrs | TBD |
| July 5, 2025 | TBD | 4hrs | TBD |