The 2024 UTSA Honors College Trailblazing the National Parks (HON 3253) investigates landscape, history, and cultures of seven national parks and earns participants a Wilderness First Aid certification in a mini-mester course, taking place April 20-21 + May 11-23, 2024.
This trip offers a life-changing learning experience in dramatic landscapes from the Colorado mountains to deep canyon country of Utah and Arizona. Students with a range of majors will join instructors with natural sciences and experiential education backgrounds to investigate how humans impact and value the natural world. On hikes and guided tours, in exhibits and sacred spaces, around campfires, river rafting, and riding horses, we confront key environmental and social challenges in these diverse natural and cultural landscapes. Using interdisciplinary and experiential approaches, students will explore the significance of aesthetic, ecological, historical, social, and even spiritual forces of our parks and why we need environmental stewardship leaders to protect them for the future. By participating in this program, students will earn a NOLS (National Outdoor Leadership School) Wilderness First Aid (WFA) certification. This program will also count toward Honors Requirements as an Engaged Living Experience.Go to Honors Requirements
Learn more about Engaged Living
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| National Parks |
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Honors College National Parks Trip May 2024 Info Session
Wed October 25, 2023 from 7:00-8:00 PM
Register on Rowdylink.
Want to know more?
This program will be led by UTSA Honors College Faculty Dr. Karen Engates. Please email Dr. Engates for more information.
Caille Paulsen '22
Caille Paulsen ’22 filled her time as an undergraduate with a diverse array of opportunities, joining ichthyological research labs at UTSA and interning with the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department in Corpus Christi. In May 2019 she traveled in the first Honors College Trailblazing the National Parks study away program, which investigates landscape, history, and cultures of six national parks. These experiences formed the foundation for the rest of her university experience. Caille learned how to have fun while pursuing her goals, and learning environmental stewardship. She now works as an aquatic biologist for the San Antonio River Authority.
Program Application Due Date
Your completed program application and transcript showing Fall 2023 grades and spring 2024 coursework is due no later than by Friday, Jan 26, 2024, by 5:00 PM CDT but application window may close early if sufficient applications have been received.
