Tourism, Recreation and Adventure Leadership

Tourism, Recreation and Adventure Leadership

Become a leader in outdoor education.

Degree Type

  • Bachelor of Science

  • Honors Bachelor of Science

  • Minor

College
College of Forestry

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In the tourism, recreation and adventure leadership program, we develop leaders, facilitators, and managers of outdoor adventure, recreation and tourism experiences. You鈥檒l learn to be an effective decision-maker and to provide safe experiences in complex and dynamic environments.

The TRAL program at 星空影视-Cascades is a leader in outdoor adventure and tourism education. We are known for a quality, challenging, academically rigorous, and applicable four-year degree program that helps students gain competency in the outdoor adventure, recreation and tourism sectors. We attract high-quality students from local, regional, national and international locations, based on our reputation as a leading program in the West. Our students embrace the challenge of sustainability in all that they do.

TRAL Winter
People in a circle
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Small class sizes

Build strong relationships with faculty, staff and fellow students.

2 people at table with-a lightbulb above them
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Location

TRAL field courses are conducted in world-renowned outdoor recreation areas such as Smith Rock State Park, Owyhee Canyonlands, Deschutes River and Three Sisters Wilderness.

2 hands coming together
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Hands-on learning

Practical experience in the field is essential for the TRAL degree.

Program Details

Adventure Leadership Education (ALE) Option
Choose this option if you love to learn, study and work outside. Rivers, mountains and trails will be your classroom as you learn how to educate others about the outdoors and guide them through life-changing outdoor experiences. After graduating, you'll be prepared to work as a guide, interpreter or start your own outdoor-focused business.

Nature, Eco and Adventure Tourism (NEAT) Option
Learn how to use business and natural resources skills to operate tourism companies specializing in creating outdoor experiences for members of the public.

A total of 180 quarter credits are required to graduate, including 60 upper-division credits. Requirements include:




Electives if needed to complete 180 total credits, including 60 upper-division credits

Planning and Resources

星空影视-Cascades COCC Transfer Guides

 

Using the following course forecast information students will plan ahead and work with their advisor to create and update academic plans.



  
TRAL Courses by Term
Offered at 星空影视 Cascades

Once you complete this program, discover all the learning outcomes you'll achieve.


Tourism, Recreation and Adventure Leadership Minor (30 credits)

Students may elect to earn the Tourism, Recreation, and Adventure Leadership minor. This minor provides basic knowledge about recreation adventure tourism planning and adventure leadership.

View the Faculty

Careers

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What comes after graduation?

Opportunities in outdoor recreation and tourism are growing quickly, with a 25% projected growth for tour and travel guide roles. A TRAL degree prepares you to turn your passion for the outdoors into a thriving career.

  • Activities Coordinator
  • Brand Manager
  • Camp Director
  • Client Services Rep.
  • Ecotourism Guide
  • Event Manager
  • Facilities Manager
  • Guest Relations
  • Head of Experiential Learning
  • Lodging Manager
  • Management
  • Marketing Manager
  • Mountain Guide
  • Operations Manager
  • Outdoor Educator
  • Outdoor Guide
  • Park or Forest Ranger
  • Park Naturalist
  • Program Director
  • Property Manager
  • Promotions Manager
  • Public Relations Specialist
  • Recreation Manager
  • Resort Manager
  • Rock Climbing Guide
  • Sales Manager
  • Tour Guide
  • Travel Agent
  • Travel Writer
  • Videographer
  • Whitewater Rafting Guide
  • Youth Counselor

What Can I Do with a Major in  ,

Career planning resources

General Manager, Wanderlust Tours
Operations Manager, Tetherow Resort
Industry & Visitor Services Manager, Travel Oregon
Director of Sales, The Allison Inn & Spa
Lead Back Country Ranger, Student Conservation Association
Wilderness Ranger, US Forest Service
General Manager, The Ritz-Carlton, Kyoto
Senior Client Engagement Manager, Ventana Research
Director of Marketing, JC Resorts
Recreation Associate, Seventh Mountain Resort
Outdoor Recreation Planner, Bureau of Land Management
Ranch Manager, Cascades Camp & Conference Center
Videographer/Editor, TeamPeople @ Intel
Adventure Planning Concierge, Brasada Ranch Resort

Tumalo Kayak and Canoe
Sun Country Tours
Athletic Club of Bend
United World Colleges - Southeast Asia
Bend Visitor and Convention Bureau
CogWild
First Ascent Climbing Services
Ouzel Outfitters
Little Planet - Malaysia
Timberline Mountain Guides
US Forest Service
Webcyclery
Seventh Mountain Resort

$
40
k
average annual salary
Tour and Travel Guide, Bureau of Labor Statistics
25
%
projected growth
Tour and Travel Guide, Bureau of Labor Statistics
91
%
employed or in graduate school or military within 6 mo.
星空影视-Cascades-wide

Courses

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What types of classes will I attend?

  • Sustainable Communities
  • Nature, Eco, and Adventure Tourism
  • Endangered Species
  • Design Management of Outdoor Experience
  • History of Outdoor Adventure
  • Risk Management
  • Outdoor Living Skills and Lab
  • Expedition I & II
  • Intermediate Rock Climbing
  • Intro to Whitewater Kayaking
  • Manage Individual & Team Performance

Course Listing

Bend: Our extended classroom

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Bend is the perfect place to study tourism, recreation and adventure leadership. Many TRAL courses include field components, from half-day field trips to multi-week outings. Complement your program with participation in Cascades Adventures, our student-led outdoor trips program. You are minutes from:

  • Downhill skiing and snowboarding at 
  • Backcountry and cross-country skiing at an extensive sno-park system
  • Rock climbing at world famous  State Park
  •  and road biking that is rated as some of the best in the nation
  • Fly-fishing on some of the most pristine rivers in the lower 48
  • Kayaking and white-water rafting on world class rivers

student Spotlight

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Wildlife conservation intern at Think Wild

When wild animals get injured, Think Wild's wildlife hospital on Bend's east side rehabilitates them to be released back into the wild. 鈥淚t's important for wildlife to have a voice in conservation,鈥 said tourism, recreation and adventure leadership major Liz Crandall. As a Think Wild intern, she fed, medicated and monitored animals ranging from songbirds to owls to skunks. About thirty percent of the animals have a good prognosis. 鈥淚n the future, when I'm helping people enjoy the outdoors, I want to be more than just a guide,鈥 said Liz. 鈥淚 want people to have a richer understanding of the space they are in.鈥

Go international

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Parks and Protected Areas of Patagonia Chile

Ays茅n Region, part of Southern Patagonia
Spring Break 2025

Discover the stunning landscapes of Chilean Patagonia by foot and raft. Compare national park management in the U.S. and Chile, learn critical field skills, and interact with the local tourism industry through river guides and homestays. Led by TRAL program coordinator and senior instructor Andrew Hawley. .

 

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We're here to help! Future students can connect with an 星空影视-Cascades admissions advisor for admission and program questions.