Outdoor Program
The Westminster Outdoor Program exemplifies Westminster's unique environment for learning, which is located minutes from world-class skiing, mountain biking, and rock climbing in the local Wasatch Mountains. Beyond the Wasatch lie Utah's red rock deserts, wild rivers, and vast wilderness areas—all of which become both Westminster's playground and classroom.
Through meaningful outdoor experiences, the Outdoor Program helps students to develop leadership, technical skills, self-awareness, character, and stewardship. Student leadership is a priority for the program and most outdoor trips are student-led. Graduates who were a part of the Outdoor Program often leave Westminster having weeks of valuable field experience, advanced certifications, and an understanding of how lessons learned in the outdoors can apply to other areas of college, career, and everyday life.
Whether you're joining us for an evening hike or a weekend in the backcountry, you'll most likely learn something new, meet interesting people, and spend time in awe-inspiring places.
Upcoming Trips and Events
Westminster students, faculty, staff, alumni, and their guests are welcome to participate in outdoor program trips and events. We're committed to supporting anyone who is interested in getting involved regardless of skill level, previous experience, or equipment needs. Contact outdoorprogram@westminstercollege.edu with any questions or if you would like to participate but cannot pay the entire event fee. While modest, the Outdoor Program Participation Fund is designed to help in these cases.
Kayak Roll Sessions
Wednesdays, 8–10:00 p.m.
First–timers meet in the Eccles HWAC Aquatic Center from 8–8:30 p.m. All other current students, faculty and staff arrive at 8:30 p.m. to come practice your roll and kayaking skills.
Cost: free
Outdoor Education and Leadership (OEL) Field Semester Info Sessions
October 19 and 20, 2021, 6–7:00 p.m.
The first step of participating in the OEL Field Semester is attending one of our info sessions. Visit the Outdoor Program on either day to learn more about the OEL Field Semester and how to apply.
If you can’t make either of those times, please email Kellie Gerbers (kgerbers@westminstercollege.edu) to arrange a time outside the scheduled events.
Learn About Leading Trips Popcorn and Movie Night
October 25, 2021, 6–9:00 p.m.
Are you interested in leading trips with the Outdoor Program? And popcorn and a movie?
Come down to the Outdoor Program to meet other people involved and interested while learning more about the process. We’ll spend some time talking about trip leading and then have popcorn and a movie.
Halloween Bouldering Competition
October 28, 2021, 4–10:00 p.m.
Bishop’s Wall In Eccles HWAC is Hosting a Halloween Bouldering Competition!
This will be a non-gendered, skill-based competition with beginner, intermediate, and advanced categories! You will self assess your category. If you complete greater than 2 climbs in the next category up, you will be bumped to that category.
Other fun includes a costume competition, raffles, pizza and prizes for finalists!
Cost: $3
Gear Repair Clinic
November 2, 2021, 10:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m.
Stop by the Outdoor Program with your gear repair questions and conundrums. If you purchased something from us at the Used Gear Sale (Sept. 29) and want to work on it, we’ll do our best to show you how.
If you have equipment to repair, we may be able to help and will likely have some insights to get you started. We’re not experts in all repairs but can be especially helpful with tips on sewing, zippers, tent poles, hole patching, MSR Whisperlite stoves, and can even provide some supplies (please bring yours if you have them).
Cost: free
Wilderness First Aid and Wilderness First Responder Recertification
Nov. 19–21, 2021
This course is a standard, 3-day Wilderness First Aid course through the Wilderness Medicine Training Center (WMTC). People holding current WFR certifications can also use this course to recertify. View the course syllabus.
People wishing to recertify their WAFA, WFR, or WEMT using this standard WFA course must pass the WFR and WEMT Recertification online exams within 2 months of completing the in-person course through an approved provider. Online exams cost $25.
Cost: $250 for Westminster community (students, faculty, staff, and alumni), and $290 for public
Know Before You Go/Avalanche Beacon Clinic
December 1, 2021, 6–8:30 p.m.
Are you equipped with the knowledge and skills to be in the backcountry this winter? Mark your calendar for Know Before You Go, presented by the Utah Avalanche Center. After the presentation, we’ll bundle up and head outside for an avalanche transceiver exercise. This event is open to anyone interested and co-hosted by the Outdoor Program, Ski and Snowboard Club, and UAC.
The presentation marks the first event of the Outdoor Program’s winter backcountry series—follow @westminsteroutdoorprogram (IG) for updates and upcoming events.
Cost: free
Refund and Cancellation Policy
- If there is a fee, you must pay for the trip or event before you are considered to be registered. Email outdoorprogram@westminstercollege.edu if you're having trouble with payment.
- If you register for a trip and cancel before the registration deadline (if applicable), you can receive a refund for the trip.
- If you register for a trip and cancel before the pre-trip meeting (if applicable), but after the registration deadline (if applicable), you can apply the registration fees as a credit toward a future trip with the Outdoor Program within the same academic school year.
- If you cancel after the pre-trip meeting (if applicable), no refunds or credits will be given.
- You MUST attend scheduled pre-trip meetings for trips if applicable. Meeting dates and times vary and will be included in event information. If you do not attend the meeting and have not made other arrangements with us to get trip information, your spot on the trip may be forfeited. Email outdoorprogram@westminstercollege.edu with any questions or concerns about attending pre-trip meetings.
- No refunds for Wilderness First Responder/First Aid/re-certifications, avalanche certification courses, and AMGA Single Pitch Instructor course will be given unless the Outdoor Program cancels the event.
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