Opportunities
Land Programs
Set in the heart of the Green Mountains, a short ride from the Adirondacks of New York, and the White Mountains of New Hampshire, Saint Michael’s offers access to some the best hiking opportunities in New England.
Whether it’s a relaxed foliage hike, a sunset summit, or an intense multi-day experience, our emphasis is on safe, responsible adventuring. We do this by encouraging students to develop a sense of environmental stewardship thorough Leave No Trace principles and ethics. In addition, our instructors are trained comprehensively in technical outdoor skills through:
- Extensive in-field training
- Thorough classroom preparation
- SOLO Wilderness First Aid, Wilderness First Responder or EMT
Climbing
Whether you are a beginner or advanced climber, you’ll find rock, ice, and mountaineering opportunities with the St. Mike’s Adventure Sports Center. The climbing program is based on developing strong fundamental skills and enhancing the skills of students with previous experience. We guide climbing adventures for first-timers and for those ready to test their abilities at the next level. On every climbing adventure you are accompanied by at least two certified student instructors. All senior climbing instructors have gone through extensive training including:
- In-house Top-Rope Facilitator Certification
- American Mountain Guide Association Single Pitch Instructor Certification
- SOLO Wilderness First Responder or EMT
See rock climbing with the SMCWP from SMCWP on Vimeo
All necessary equipment is provided through the St. Mike’s Outfitter. If you have any questions regarding any climbing opportunities at St. Mike’s, feel free to contact us at adventuresports@smcvt.edu.
Paddlesports
The Saint Michael’s Adventure Sports Center offers a variety of paddling opportunities, including sea kayak touring, rough water sea paddling, surf kayaking, river paddling and whitewater kayaking in addition, we offer instructional opportunities for beginner through advanced paddlers. Our student centered programs focus on core principals of movement in context.. Our staff and student instructors are trained to industry standards in their respective disciplines. All lead paddle sports instructors are:
- Certified SOLO Wilderness First Responders or Wilderness EMTs
- Have completed personal skills/leadership assessments through either the American Canoe Association or the British Canoe Union
- Participate annually in a seven day whitewater/coastal kayak staff training in Vermont and coastal Maine.
- Certified ACA Level 3 Coastal Kayak Instructors (sea/coastal kayaking).
- Certified ACA Level 3 or 4 Whitewater Kayak Instructors (river/whitewater kayaking).
Many of our programs require no prior experience, and the Wilderness Program provides all of the technical equipment; this includes kayaks, paddles, helmets, wet suits/dry suits and PFD’s. In addition, expedition programs are outfitted with state-of-the-sport camping equipment.
Check out a video of one of our kayak clinics. For more information, contact us at AdventureSports@smcvt.edu.
Mountain Biking
Saint Michael’s College is situated amongst some of the best mountain biking in the North East, with high quality riding right from campus. Our focus is on building core riding skills in addition, to decision making, route selection, repairing mechanicals in the field and minimizing environmental impact. We provide beginner through intermediate guided rides and instructional programs using state of the sport equipment that is maintained by our mountain bike staff in the Wilderness Programs bike shop.
All of our lead mountain bike instructors and guides have completed extensive training which includes:
- SOLO Wilderness First Responder or Wilderness EMT
- BICP Level 1 Ride Guide
- Annual six day staff training
All necessary equipment is provided through the St. Mike’s Outfitter. If you have any questions regarding any mountain biking opportunities at St. Mike’s feel free to contact us at AdventureSports@smcvt.edu.
Land Programs
Set in the heart of the Green Mountains, a short ride from the Adirondacks of New York, and the White Mountains of New Hampshire, Saint Michael’s offers access to some the best hiking opportunities in New England.
Whether it’s a relaxed foliage hike, a sunset summit, or an intense multi-day experience, our emphasis is on safe, responsible adventuring. We do this by encouraging students to develop a sense of environmental stewardship thorough Leave No Trace principles and ethics. In addition, our instructors are trained comprehensively in technical outdoor skills through:
- Extensive in-field training
- Thorough classroom preparation
- SOLO Wilderness First Aid, Wilderness First Responder or EMT
Climbing
Whether you are a beginner or advanced climber, you’ll find rock, ice, and mountaineering opportunities with the St. Mike’s Adventure Sports Center. The climbing program is based on developing strong fundamental skills and enhancing the skills of students with previous experience. We guide climbing adventures for first-timers and for those ready to test their abilities at the next level. On every climbing adventure you are accompanied by at least two certified student instructors. All senior climbing instructors have gone through extensive training including:
- In-house Top-Rope Facilitator Certification
- American Mountain Guide Association Single Pitch Instructor Certification
- SOLO Wilderness First Responder or EMT
See rock climbing with the SMCWP from SMCWP on Vimeo
All necessary equipment is provided through the St. Mike’s Outfitter. If you have any questions regarding any climbing opportunities at St. Mike’s, feel free to contact us at adventuresports@smcvt.edu.
Paddlesports
The Saint Michael’s Adventure Sports Center offers a variety of paddling opportunities, including sea kayak touring, rough water sea paddling, surf kayaking, river paddling and whitewater kayaking in addition, we offer instructional opportunities for beginner through advanced paddlers. Our student centered programs focus on core principals of movement in context.. Our staff and student instructors are trained to industry standards in their respective disciplines. All lead paddle sports instructors are:
- Certified SOLO Wilderness First Responders or Wilderness EMTs
- Have completed personal skills/leadership assessments through either the American Canoe Association or the British Canoe Union
- Participate annually in a seven day whitewater/coastal kayak staff training in Vermont and coastal Maine.
- Certified ACA Level 3 Coastal Kayak Instructors (sea/coastal kayaking).
- Certified ACA Level 3 or 4 Whitewater Kayak Instructors (river/whitewater kayaking).
Many of our programs require no prior experience, and the Wilderness Program provides all of the technical equipment; this includes kayaks, paddles, helmets, wet suits/dry suits and PFD’s. In addition, expedition programs are outfitted with state-of-the-sport camping equipment.
Check out a video of one of our kayak clinics. For more information, contact us at AdventureSports@smcvt.edu.
Mountain Biking
Saint Michael’s College is situated amongst some of the best mountain biking in the North East, with high quality riding right from campus. Our focus is on building core riding skills in addition, to decision making, route selection, repairing mechanicals in the field and minimizing environmental impact. We provide beginner through intermediate guided rides and instructional programs using state of the sport equipment that is maintained by our mountain bike staff in the Wilderness Programs bike shop.
All of our lead mountain bike instructors and guides have completed extensive training which includes:
- SOLO Wilderness First Responder or Wilderness EMT
- BICP Level 1 Ride Guide
- Annual six day staff training
All necessary equipment is provided through the St. Mike’s Outfitter. If you have any questions regarding any mountain biking opportunities at St. Mike’s feel free to contact us at AdventureSports@smcvt.edu.
