To provide the Pomona College community with educational, recreational, and social opportunities that focus on local communities and global environments. Using the outdoors as a classroom, our programs strive to offer co-curricular outdoor experiences.
The Outdoor Education Center of Pomona College is one of the premier outdoor education programs in the country. The outdoor program provides hands-on opportunities for all students in outdoor recreation and education, promotes the preservation and conservation of the natural environment, and develops student leadership skills. We believe it's important that students can get out and have fun without losing sight of the general mission to educate and build leadership skills.
As the building housing the OEC is intended to be GOLD certified by LEED standards, the OEC is an example of sustainable programming in the center itself and on trips. The OEC has created many partnerships, both on and off campus, with academic departments, intercollegiate programs, and community organizations. The OEC has full time hours of operations open to our leaders, participants, and to the entire Pomona community.
Mission
The mission of the Outdoor Education Center is to provide the Pomona College community with educational, recreational, and social opportunities that focus on local communities and global environments. Using the outdoors as a classroom, our programs strive to offer co-curricular outdoor experiences that develop leadership skills and promote responsibility, while maintaining balance between personal, professional, and academic pursuits.
Our goals are to:
Encourage direct engagement with the outdoors
Provide resources for academic experiences both on and off-campus
Provide student leadership and development through training and experiential education
It is through these engagements that we strive to facilitate the following:
Teach safety, good judgment, and leadership skills
Nurture an environmental ethic
Develop technical outdoor skills
Promote health, well being, and sustainable lifestyles
Encourage holistic perspectives on contemporary issues through co-curricular and interdisciplinary programs
Foster meaningful interaction between faculty, staff, students, and other community members
Facilitate the organization of independent trips in terms of training, planning, advice, and equipment
What we offer
Equipment Checkout
The OEC has a checkout counter for equipment and gear. Gear is available for students for a nominal fee and in many cases free of charge with only a returnable deposit required. Equipment available for checkout includes items such as: stoves, tents, sleeping bags, sleeping pad, bikes, snowshoes, coolers, camping utinsils, surf boards, boogie boards, snorkel/masks, and much more. Stop by to visit the center anytime during the following open hours.
Monday 1:00 pm to 10:00 pm
Tuesday 1:00 pm to 10:00 pm
Wednesday 1:00 pm to 10:00 pm
Thursday 1:00 pm to 10:00 pm
Friday 10:00 am to 1:00 pm
Leadership Trainings
Using internal resources as well as local and national programs, the OEC provides leadership training and development for students in a variety of programs and settings. Using our facilities or neighboring ones, student leaders become prepared for other campus leadership positions, OA leader positions, and OTL leadership positions. This training helps prepare students for leadership opportunities in work settings, community engagement, and volunteer work. If you plan to be leading many trips for other fellow students or if you are looking for a great addition to your resume, you may consider OEC Certification in the Outdoor Leadership Series.
Skills Trainings
Training sessions and workshops are offered to the entire 7-C community. This includes medical training such as Wilderness First Responder courses, leadership development classes, and maintenance workshops such as outdoor gear and bikes.
In addition to technical training for outdoor leaders, the OEC offers a leadership development program for students across the campus. This includes the Outdoor Leadership Series along with the OEC Certification program.
Speakers
The OEC hosts speakers from outdoor recreation organizations. The OEC also sponsors slideshows and lectures from recreation training companies, authors, and outdoor athletes. Stay tuned for upcoming events!
Educational Trips
The OEC offers the expertise and logistics in trip planning to help organize trips in cooperation with academic departments on campus. This can include field trips for professors wishing to give their students a hands-on experience in the field, as well as encouraging professors to join trips planned by students. The OEC will also offer additional field study trips with environmental awareness groups and student groups.
Recreation Library and Research
The OEC houses a library of 400+ outdoor education books and maps. The library includes "How-to" books on outdoor skills, leader development manuals, topographical trail maps, and guide books for certain areas. The OEC library and lounge is a great research area for students planning trips for OTL and for OEC staff planning trips for academic classes. Come check us out!
