{"id":2657,"date":"2024-09-27T09:00:23","date_gmt":"2024-09-27T16:00:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/?p=2657"},"modified":"2026-03-12T12:54:59","modified_gmt":"2026-03-12T19:54:59","slug":"free-online-course-foundations-of-the-outdoor-recreation-economy","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/free-online-course-foundations-of-the-outdoor-recreation-economy\/","title":{"rendered":"Oregon State University offers free online course on the outdoor recreation economy"},"content":{"rendered":"
Editor’s note: <\/strong>This story was originally published on the Oregon State University Division of Educational Ventures news site<\/a>.<\/span><\/div>\n

Oregon State University now offers an exciting training opportunity designed to enhance skills, increase diversity and inspire further innovation among professionals in the outdoor recreation industry.<\/p>\n

The online course, FORE101: Foundations of the Outdoor Recreation Economy<\/a>, provides a comprehensive introduction to the field. Learners will study the economic, social and environmental impact of the dynamic outdoor recreation industry, as well as its potential for driving positive change.<\/p>\n

This self-paced course is being offered for free \u2014 a $400 savings \u2014 to anyone who wants to deepen their understanding of the outdoor recreation economy. Learners can use this knowledge to transform their love of the outdoors into a lucrative career.<\/p>\n

Welcome to FORE101<\/h2>\n

Developed by Oregon State\u2019s Center for the Outdoor Recreation Economy<\/a> in close collaboration with OSU faculty and industry leaders, FORE101 covers a variety of topics including employment pathways, environmental stewardship, social justice, policy issues and accessibility best practices. The curriculum is divided into eight online lessons, each focusing on a critical segment of the outdoor recreation economy.<\/p>\n

\u201cAfter conversations with our partners in the outdoor sector, our team identified a need for an educational opportunity where learners can explore career opportunities in this growing field and learn the foundational skills that will set them up for success,\u201d said Kate Porsche, director of the Center for the Outdoor Recreation Economy.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe hope that offering it for free will reach a diverse audience who may not otherwise have considered a career in the outdoor recreation economy.\u201d<\/p>\n

Upon course completion, learners receive a digital badge to showcase their knowledge and commitment to professional development. The badge can be displayed on a learner\u2019s social media networks, such as LinkedIn, or added to a r\u00e9sum\u00e9.<\/p>\n

Uniquely positioned to drive industry growth<\/h2>\n

Oregon State’s Center for the Outdoor Recreation Economy emerged as the ideal developer for this innovative program, thanks to its extensive collaborations with industry partners and its dedication to research and training. The center\u2019s deep connections<\/a> with business leaders, policymakers and the research community informed the course content, which addresses the most pressing needs and challenges facing the outdoor recreation economy today.<\/p>\n

“<\/span>This training program can empower the outdoor recreation workforce and accelerate positive changes in the industry.”<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

By leveraging the expertise of OSU faculty members across multiple disciplines, including business, natural resources, public health and social sciences, the center offers a holistic approach to workforce development that considers the complex interplay of economic, environmental and social factors.<\/p>\n

Moreover, the center \u2014 which is a part of Oregon State\u2019s Division of Educational Ventures<\/a> \u2014 is committed to relevant training, which ensures that the FORE101 curriculum is grounded in the latest industry insights and best practices.<\/p>\n

Elevating the outdoor recreation sector<\/h2>\n

The outdoor recreation industry is a powerful force in the U.S. economy, accounting for more than $1 trillion in gross economic output and supporting 5 million jobs annually, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis<\/a>. As the sector grows, FORE101 can provide entry-level and seasoned outdoor recreation professionals with an understanding of potential career paths.<\/p>\n

Developing a skilled and inclusive workforce is important not just for individual organizations to succeed, but it also benefits society, according to Porsche.<\/p>\n

\u201cOne way we can make outdoor recreation spaces more welcoming is by helping to create a more diverse workforce,\u201d she said. \u201cIt\u2019s how we begin to change the landscape and make outdoor recreation spaces \u2014 be it trailheads, manufacturing or retail spaces \u2014 more accessible for folks who have historically been marginalized.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Additionally, a thriving outdoor recreation sector can improve public health, strengthen communities and foster a deeper connection to the natural world.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis training program can empower the outdoor recreation workforce and accelerate positive changes in the industry,\u201d Porsche said. \u201cOne of our values is to \u2018make the tent bigger.\u2019 We strive to develop educational pathways to build a more diverse and equitable outdoor recreation economy.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Encourage your employees, members and colleagues to enhance their skills and knowledge by enrolling in Foundations of the Outdoor Recreation Economy<\/a> online course today.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

<\/span> 3<\/span> minute read<\/span><\/span>Editor’s note: This story was originally published on the Oregon State University Division of Educational Ventures news site. Oregon State University now offers an exciting training opportunity designed to enhance skills, increase diversity and inspire further innovation among professionals in the outdoor recreation industry. The online course, FORE101: Foundations of the Outdoor Recreation Economy, provides … Oregon State University offers free online course on the outdoor recreation economy<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":14,"featured_media":2658,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1,702,679],"tags":[662,664],"class_list":["post-2657","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-all","category-educational-ventures","category-leadership-and-innovation","tag-division-of-educational-ventures","tag-featured-division-of-educational-ventures"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/assets\/fiona-wylde-outdoor-recreation.jpg?fit=800%2C450&ssl=1","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p7BNSE-GR","jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":2811,"url":"https:\/\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/techlandia-podcast-semiconductor-revolution-osu\/","url_meta":{"origin":2657,"position":0},"title":"\u2018Techlandia\u2019 podcast: Bridging academia and industry \u2014 The semiconductor revolution at Oregon State","author":"Oregon State University","date":"June 12, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"Oregon is rising fast as a national leader in the semiconductor industry \u2014 and Oregon State University is at the forefront of that momentum. On a new episode of the \u201cTechlandia\u201d podcast, Tom Weller \u2014 the head of OSU's School of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science \u2014 shares how the\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "All Stories"","block_context":{"text":"All Stories","link":"https:\/\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/category\/all\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"A close-up of colorful semiconductor wafers with intricate circuit patterns used in microchip manufacturing.","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/assets\/seminconductor-800X450.jpg?fit=800%2C450&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/assets\/seminconductor-800X450.jpg?fit=800%2C450&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/assets\/seminconductor-800X450.jpg?fit=800%2C450&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/assets\/seminconductor-800X450.jpg?fit=800%2C450&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":2727,"url":"https:\/\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/technology-association-oregon-collaboration\/","url_meta":{"origin":2657,"position":1},"title":"Oregon tech professionals gain affordable access to top-ranked online education through OSU collaboration","author":"Tyler Hansen","date":"March 4, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"Editor's note: This story was originally published on the Oregon State University Division of Educational Ventures news site. CORVALLIS, Ore. \u2014 A new collaboration between Oregon State University and the Technology Association of Oregon is expanding access to high-quality online education for an estimated 90,000 employees of TAO member organizations.\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "All Stories"","block_context":{"text":"All Stories","link":"https:\/\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/category\/all\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"A woman stands working inside a server room, positioned between tall black server racks. She is holding and examining a digital tablet.","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/assets\/TAO-news-800x450-1.jpg?fit=800%2C450&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/assets\/TAO-news-800x450-1.jpg?fit=800%2C450&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/assets\/TAO-news-800x450-1.jpg?fit=800%2C450&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/assets\/TAO-news-800x450-1.jpg?fit=800%2C450&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":2692,"url":"https:\/\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/oregon-association-chiefs-of-police-collaboration\/","url_meta":{"origin":2657,"position":2},"title":"OSU teams with Oregon police chiefs association, offers tuition benefit to 6,500+ employees","author":"Tyler Hansen","date":"December 4, 2024","format":false,"excerpt":"Editor's note: This story was originally published on the Oregon State University Division of Educational Ventures news site. CORVALLIS, Ore. \u2014 Thousands of law enforcement professionals throughout the state have more affordable access to learning opportunities online and in person thanks to a new collaboration between Oregon State University and\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "All Stories"","block_context":{"text":"All Stories","link":"https:\/\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/category\/all\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Scenic image of the black entrance sign to Oregon State University with trees in the background","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/assets\/OSU-entrance-sign-2022.jpg?fit=800%2C450&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/assets\/OSU-entrance-sign-2022.jpg?fit=800%2C450&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/assets\/OSU-entrance-sign-2022.jpg?fit=800%2C450&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/assets\/OSU-entrance-sign-2022.jpg?fit=800%2C450&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":2375,"url":"https:\/\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/samaritan-health-services-osu-collaboration\/","url_meta":{"origin":2657,"position":3},"title":"6,000 Samaritan employees eligible for scholarships to learn online thanks to new Oregon State collaboration","author":"Tyler Hansen","date":"October 10, 2023","format":false,"excerpt":"Oregon State University is expanding its relationship with Samaritan Health Services to provide thousands of the regional health system\u2019s employees with more affordable access to academic programs and workforce education opportunities online.","rel":"","context":"In "All Stories"","block_context":{"text":"All Stories","link":"https:\/\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/category\/all\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"A doctor talks with her patient while pointing out information on a clipboard.","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/assets\/CEU-Samaritan-1280x550-1.jpg?fit=1200%2C516&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/assets\/CEU-Samaritan-1280x550-1.jpg?fit=1200%2C516&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/assets\/CEU-Samaritan-1280x550-1.jpg?fit=1200%2C516&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/assets\/CEU-Samaritan-1280x550-1.jpg?fit=1200%2C516&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/assets\/CEU-Samaritan-1280x550-1.jpg?fit=1200%2C516&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":2462,"url":"https:\/\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/microcredential-initiative-podcast\/","url_meta":{"origin":2657,"position":4},"title":"Podcast highlight: Behind the scenes of Oregon State’s successful microcredential initiative","author":"Tyler Hansen","date":"January 22, 2024","format":false,"excerpt":"On the Modern Campus \"Illumination\" podcast, Lisa L. Templeton \u2014 vice provost of Oregon State\u2019s Division of Educational Ventures \u2014 discusses the expansion of the OSU's microcredential initiative and the importance of access and affordability for today's learners.","rel":"","context":"In "All Stories"","block_context":{"text":"All Stories","link":"https:\/\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/category\/all\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Scenic image of the black entrance sign to Oregon State University with trees in the background","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/assets\/OSU-entrance-sign-2022.jpg?fit=800%2C450&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/assets\/OSU-entrance-sign-2022.jpg?fit=800%2C450&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/assets\/OSU-entrance-sign-2022.jpg?fit=800%2C450&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/assets\/OSU-entrance-sign-2022.jpg?fit=800%2C450&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":2730,"url":"https:\/\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/open-education-week-oer\/","url_meta":{"origin":2657,"position":5},"title":"Oregon State faculty\u2019s use of free textbooks generates millions in student savings","author":"Tyler Hansen","date":"March 3, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"Editor's note: This story was originally published on the Oregon State University Division of Educational Ventures news site. Tuition costs are beyond the control of Oregon State University faculty members, but there is a proven way they can make student learning more affordable: by replacing expensive textbooks with free and\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "All Stories"","block_context":{"text":"All Stories","link":"https:\/\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/category\/all\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"A person working on a laptop with a geographic map on the screen, alongside an open textbook titled \"Getting Organized.\"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/assets\/open-access-textbook.jpg?fit=800%2C470&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/assets\/open-access-textbook.jpg?fit=800%2C470&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/assets\/open-access-textbook.jpg?fit=800%2C470&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/assets\/open-access-textbook.jpg?fit=800%2C470&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]}],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2657","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/14"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2657"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2657\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2658"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2657"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2657"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2657"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}