The Minor in Outdoor Adventure Leadership is designed to allow students to acquire the knowledge, skills, and abilities to work (and recreate) in a variety of adventure activities, while fulfilling the requirements for one of the approved degree programs at the University. The courses that satisfy the minor are primarily housed within the Department of Kinesiology and represent different aspects of the outdoor adventure field.

The Minor in Kinesiology’s Outdoor Adventure Leadership (KOAL) consists of a minimum of 18 credit hours of approved coursework, plus an “Intensive Experience” class (chosen from 3 options), an “Outdoor Leadership-based” class (chosen from 2 options), and approved electives.

The final practicum course involves playing an active leadership role either with Venture or another (approved) outdoor program. Options could include: planning and leading a wilderness trip for Venture, leading groups at the Venture Challenge Courses, serving as a teaching assistant for one of the KOAL courses, working at another local program (e.g,, the U.S. National Whitewater Center) delivering adventure programming, summer work in the adventure field, etc. A journal and regular check-in with the course instructor is included in this capstone experience.

Students matriculated at UNC Charlotte and planning to declare Outdoor Adventure Education as their minor must have an overall GPA of at least 2.0. To apply submit, with a Change of Minor Form, a typed letter of application to the Venture Director, indicating why you are interested in the Minor, how you hope to use the experiences and skills gained through the Minor in your future, and what prior relevant experience you have that you believe will help you be successful in this Minor. The Venture Director will recommend to the Kinesiology Department Chair those individuals who should be admitted into the Program.