On a recent afternoon, a regatta of yellow rafts covered the lawn outside Lombardi Hall as students from ODAL 101, Introduction to Outdoor Skills, checked air valves and cinched straps under the direction of Daryl Teittinen, assistant professor of Kinesiology. Inside, Andy Rost, Ph.D., associate professor and director of the Outdoor Adventure Leadership program, moved between gear stations, answering questions and helping students sort paddles, wetsuits and safety equipment before the group loaded trailers for a weekend whitewater trip on the South Fork of the American River.
For these students, this is class.
"The river is an incredible classroom," said Teittinen. "It is beautiful, challenging and a great place for students to practice leadership under pressure. They learn to read water, make decisions and take care of their team, all while having a lot of fun."
Offered through the School of Public Health, the Outdoor Adventure and Leadership (ODAL) minor combines lectures with hands-on lessons in leadership, teamwork and outdoor stewardship. Each week, students learn by doing as they raft, climb, hike and ski across Nevada and the Sierra Nevada while developing the skills to guide expeditions and share the natural world with people who might spend more time on screens than under the sky.
"By the time they finish, students are not just participants in outdoor activities, they are capable leaders who can plan, manage and interpret complex experiences for others," said Andy Rost, director of the Outdoor Adventure Leadership program.
As students test their limits outdoors, they build communication, problem-solving and teamwork skills that strengthen well-being and community connection. The Department of Kinesiology uses ODAL to prepare students to lead, teach and advocate for healthier, more resilient communities.
"You can feel their confidence grow," Rost said. "They are not just learning outdoor skills. They are learning how to lead people and take care of one another."
Lessons on the trail
ODAL 101 is where students begin to build both technical and interpersonal leadership skills. Through classroom instruction and demanding overnight expeditions that include backpacking, rafting and rock climbing, they practice safety, risk assessment, communication and decision-making in real-world settings. Students learn to lead small groups, navigate difficult terrain and reflect on how time in the outdoors builds self-awareness, resilience and teamwork.
From there, ODAL courses expand into ODAL 332, Avalanche Awareness, ODAL 301, Environmental Interpretation, and ODAL 250 Fundamentals of Outdoor Leadership, which is an extended 10-day backpacking course that challenges students to apply all they have learned in increasingly complex situations.
Courses such as ODAL 250, Fundamentals of Outdoor Leadership and ODAL 350, Outdoor Leadership Practicum, take students deeper into group facilitation, navigation and Leave No Trace practices while emphasizing tolerance for adversity and vision implementation. Advanced electives such as ODAL 362, Backcountry Skiing and Riding, and ODAL 401, Outdoor Adventure Ethics and Land Management, build skills in avalanche safety, wilderness travel and environmental policy, connecting field leadership to real-world issues in land management and sustainability.
"By the time they finish, students are not just participants in outdoor activities, they are capable leaders who can plan, manage and interpret complex experiences for others," Rost said.
Learning to lead and live well
The fieldwork often leads to personal breakthroughs.
"This class is amazing, and I wish all of my schooling had been like this," said Katherine DiPerna Pavlich, an interdisciplinary studies major. "It is so important to have space outside to work with your hands and actually experience what you are learning."
Faith Weaver, a journalism major, said the program has reshaped how she connects with others. "When you take a three-day expedition, it builds leadership skills and brings people closer," she said. "I want to encourage others to connect with nature and challenge themselves to grow."
Michelle Thompson, an interdisciplinary studies student, said she is learning how outdoor experiences strengthen communication. "I am excited about working with my team, learning how to paddle on the river and improving my communication skills," she said.
Stewardship in action
Courses such as ODAL 301, Fundamentals of Environmental Interpretation, and ODAL 401, Outdoor Adventure Ethics and Land Management, teach students how to share outdoor experiences responsibly and understand the policies that shape Nevada’s public lands.
"We help students gain the skills to teach others," Rost said. "That means understanding ecosystems, Leave No Trace practices and how our land management systems work. Eighty-seven percent of Nevada is public land, so stewardship is part of who we are."
Chloe Jankowski, a wildlife ecology and conservation major, said the class helps her combine her studies with her passion for nature. "It is teaching me how to be a better steward of outdoor spaces and recreational activities," she said.
Adventure meets public health
Rost said the program’s emphasis on physical activity, reflection and teamwork connects directly to public health.
"Our country is in crisis when it comes to mental health," he said. "Being outside and working together in these environments promotes well-being. When people spend time outdoors, they feel better, gain perspective and build community. It makes for better humans."
The Outdoor Adventure and Leadership minor continues to grow, and so does the sense of community around it. Students are in the process of forming an ODAL Club, which will host campus meetups, share outdoor skills and introduce more students to Nevada’s public lands.
"I absolutely love this program," said Benji Watkins, one of the club organizers. "More people need to know about it. It is really, really cool."
Learn more: Explore the School of Public Health's Outdoor Adventure and Leadership minor or .
