Outdoor Recreation Program

The following outlines essential eligibility criteria for physical and mental functions required to participate in Outdoor Recreation Program programing.

*Reasonable assistance is defined as aid, the use of technology, alterations to an itinerary, and/or other programmatic support that allows for the achievement of stated outcomes.

General

  1. Breathe independently (i.e., not require medical devices to sustain breathing).
  2. Independently hold head upright without neck/head support.
  3. Manage personal care independently or with assistance in remote environments without access to electricity and/or running water.
  4. Manage personal mobility independently or with reasonable assistance.
  5. Follow instructions and effectively communicate independently or with assistance of a companion.
  6. Travel over varied terrain with loose footing independently or with reasonable assistance.
  7. Maintain a safe body position while participating in program activates as outlined in individual trip/program outlines.
  8. All participants must be, at minimum, 66 lbs of weight. This is the cutoff for the adult dosage for Epinephrine, a potentially life saving medication.
  9. All programs require participants to read and understand a participant agreement. All non-MSU student youth participants must be accompanied by a parent or guardian who can sign on their behalf. 

Watercraft-based programming

  1. Independently maintain sealed airway passages while under water.
  2. Independently turn from face-down to face-up and remain floating face up while wearing a properly fitted life jacket.
  3. Get on/off or in/out of a watercraft independently or with a reasonable amount of assistance.
  4. Independently get out and from under a capsized watercraft.
  5. Remount or re-enter the watercraft following deep water capsize independently or with a reasonable amount of assistance.

 

Rock and Ice Climbing

  1. Maintain a safe body position independently or with a reasonable amount of assistance while using appropriate harness and rope systems.
  2. Independently hold head upright while wearing a helmet.

 

Backpacking

  1. Travel over terrain that is rugged, steep, and/or off camber independently or with reasonable assistance.
  2. Transport necessary equipment for distances of up to 1 mile at a time independently or with reasonable assistance.

 

Backcountry Ski or Snowboarding

  1. Independently hold head upright while wearing a helmet during downhill travel.
  2. Travel over snow-covered terrain that is rugged, steep, and/or off camber independently or with reasonable assistance.
  3. Ability to come to a stop independently or with reasonable assistance.

 

Biking

  1. Independently hold head upright while wearing a helmet.
  2. Travel over varied and/or off camber terrain independently or with reasonable assistance.
  3. Ability to come to a stop independently or with reasonable assistance.