Bachelor of Humanities | Community Educator/Adventure and Outdoor Education | full-time studies

Study objectives

The community educator studies train specialists in adventure and outdoor education. Adventure and outdoor education is based on experiential and activity-based learning methodology and aims at supporting the growth, development, wellbeing and agency of individuals, groups and communities. 

As the basis of the studies is a multidisciplinary theoretical framework, which is put into practice in versatile authentic learning environments, such as lakes, the sea, forests, and in the fells and wilderness of Lapland. During the studies, students learn to plan and carry out safe adventure educational processes for different target groups and to evaluate and develop adventure educational activities. 

The degree programme for community educators provides students with a wide range of skills for employment as a professional in the diverse area of adventure and outdoor education. After graduation, students have multiple employment opportunities within the different sectors of national and international working environments. Community educators with adventure educational orientation can be employed e.g. in the field of youth work, organizational work, education and training, wellbeing services, or nature- and adventure-based entrepreneurship. 

Study contents

From the beginning of the studies the theoretical framework of adventure and outdoor education will be put into practice through practical activities, excursions and field trips, e.g. hikes and treks, kayak tours, summer and winter camps, and Nordic winter activities. The unique Nordic nature will be the students’ active study environment. The studies are carried out in various authentic outdoor classrooms, e.g. lakes, sea, archipelago, and among fells and wilderness in Lapland. 

Through experiential and activity-based processes the students will learn how to plan, organise, implement and evaluate safe adventure and outdoor activities for different target groups in different environments and under various circumstances.  

During the studies, students acquire pedagogical, social, technical, environmental and safety skills and are also prepared for entrepreneurship. The studies for community educators will also cover areas such as the Nordic welfare system, preventive work, equality, diversity, and entrepreneurship.   

Lähde: Opintopolku