Outdoor Education

Join the ROPE staff as they provide information for beginner outdoor enthusiasts to expert adventurers on various topics including: backpacking in Texas, slacklining, basic camping skills, backcountry cooking, wilderness first aid, Leave No Trace environmental ethics, and more! We regularly try to host a 2-day wilderness first aid course and a Leave No Trace Trainer course which includes an overnight camping component.

Wilderness First Aid Certification:

Spring 2025:
February 01-02, 8AM - 5PM at Rice University Gibbs Recreation Center
Register here
Registration closes: Jan 24, 2024 12:00 PM

Fast paced and hands-on, this two-day course from Wilderness Medicine & Education of Texas covers a wide range of wilderness medicine topics. In just two days, you'll have the knowledge, skills and ability to make sound decisions in emergency situations. This course is ideal for trip leaders, scout leaders, camp staff, outdoor enthusiasts and individuals in remote locations. It does not include CPR.
Some pre-course preparation is assigned and available ahead of the course dates. Participants should be prepared to be actively engaged in practice of new knowledge and skills during in-person classes.

Course curriculum covers

  • Patient assessment—initial and focused
  • Chest injuries
  • Shock
  • Head (brain) and spinal injuries
  • Bone and joint injuries
  • Wounds and wound infection
  • Allergies and anaphylaxis
  • Environmental injuries
  • Internal injuries
  • Evacuation techniques

Leave No Trace Trainer:

Trainer courses are designed for educators, guides, agency employees, and other outdoor professionals. Successful graduates of the Trainer Course gain the skills to teach Leave No Trace techniques and ethics to their clients, friends and family. Participants learn the concepts of Leave No Trace and prepare to teach Leave No Trace curriculum in a variety of settings-schools, camps, parks, wilderness and front country areas. Workshop topics include the underlying ethics and seven principles of Leave No Trace:

• Plan Ahead and Prepare
• Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces
• Dispose of Waste Properly
• Leave What You Find
• Minimize Campfire Impacts
• Respect Wildlife
• Be Considerate of Other Visitors

There are currently no class offerings.

Outdoor Film Festivals

ROPE and the Rice Recreation Center are searching for the next outdoor recreation film festival to host. ROPE has featured No Man's Land the European Film Festival in prior seasons. Have a suggestion? Reach out to rope@rice.edu.