McPherson College received a significant multi-year commitment to develop outdoor “adventure” programming. Programming will immediately impact current students and has potential for enrollment growth, according to college officials.
“We are the first college in Kansas to introduce this kind of comprehensive programming centered around one of Kansas’ greatest assets – its outdoor environments,” President Michael Schneider said. “The gift will help us develop programming for our students who sometimes struggle finding things to do off campus. Programming will also engage students in experiential learning and leadership development.”
The gift made by a local private organization will fund start-up programming costs as well as off-set the next two years of operations as McPherson College develops student opportunities. Called Bulldog Adventures, the new programming will provide students with unprecedented access to the outdoors in the form of co-curricular clubs, experiential learning in and out of the classroom, as well as fun social activities.
The new program takes advantage of outdoor spaces around Kansas and may include cycling, hiking, fishing, hunting, water sports, camping, and nature conservation utilizing places like Maxwell Wildlife Refuge, Kanopolis State Park, the Meadowlark Trail, and the Flint Hills. In addition, McPherson College will explore student access on their own 9,500 acres of land.
“McPherson College sits in the middle of some of the most picturesque landscape in our state,” President Schneider said. “We have thousands of acres of outdoor activity space that we will utilize to enrich our student experience.”
The program is currently being developed as McPherson College searches for an outdoor adventures program director to organize and execute plans.