Whitewater Rafting (PHED 103)

Almost heaven – West Virginia! That’s what students will think after completing the field trip portion of this class. This course is typically offered in the Fall semester each year.

Scheduled course offering are as follows:

Spring Semester 2008 - Six lectures on Wednesday evenings from 5:30-7:30 p.m. The lecture sessions will teach the skills necessary to obtain fitness for a lifetime and also prepare students to raft Class-V rated whitewater rapids. No prior rafting skills are required. The trip to the New River Gorge, the Grand Canyon of the East, is a 10-hour ride. The next day, the class will take a thrilling five-hour raft ride on the world-class rapids of the New River or the Gauley River. The lab fee of $195 includes transportation, cabin tent, two continental breakfasts at the lodge and one meal on the river, the raft guide and all equipment. For an extra charge, students can stay in a motel. Students will also be able to sight see in this beautiful area and enjoy the charming village of Fayetteville, West Virginia, full of neat restaurants and outdoor adventure sports stores. Coach Gunn will personally lead a trip to Dirty Ernie’s Grille & Saloon, a class favorite. Class size is limited.

Sea Kayaking (PHED 103)

How about this for a lab! Paddle under multi-colored towering cliffs, inside sea caves, through rock arches, on clear emerald colored water over shipwrecks and past a historic lighthouse. This awesome field trip takes place from the water’s edge in a stable kayak along the spectacular coastline of the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore on Lake Superior near Munising, Michigan.

The class will meet for six lectures on Wednesdays from 5:30-7 p.m. The lectures will teach the skills necessary to obtain fitness for a lifetime and also prepare students to open water kayak in both solo and tandem kayaks. No prior kayaking skills are required. The students will paddle the beautiful Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore area in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula.

The lab fee of $195 includes transportation, camping site, kayaking, wet suit, life jacket, spray skirts, paddle, a dry bag, a regional guide and the escort services of Ron Gunn. For a modest extra charge, students can stay in a cabin. Students will be responsible for camping equipment and meals.

Wilderness Day Hikes (PHED 103)

Southwestern Michigan College offers two Wilderness Day Hikes which each range in distance from 4- to 12-mile distances. Both venues are designated wilderness areas and offer excellent backcountry trekking experiences.

Each class will meet for six lecture sessions followed by the field trip. The lectures will be conducted on Wednesday evenings. The lectures will teach the skills necessary to obtain fitness for a lifetime and also prepare the students for day hike backpacking.

The Grand Canyon of the East is the venue for three exciting day hikes in the backcountry wilderness of New River Gorge near the charming village of Fayetteville, West Virginia. The day hikes include the spectacular Endless Wall Trail, the Long Point to Thurmond trek and the Carnifex Ferry trail on the Gauley River. Students will also be able to sightsee in this area and enjoy the charming village of Fayetteville, full of neat restaurants and outdoor adventure shops.

Rock Climbing - Rappelling - Trekking (PHED 103)

Each class will meet for six lecture sessions followed by the field trip. The lecture sessions will be conducted on Wednesday evenings.

The lectures for beginners to intermediate levels of rock climbing, rappelling, and mountain trekking. No prior rock climbing experience is required for this class. Lab fee includes transportation, climbing equipment, guide, cabin tent for two nights, one lunch while climbing, two continental breakfasts at the lodge and escort leadership of Ron Gunn. Students must provide for their other meals during the trip and their sleeping bag.
*For a modest additional charge, students may elect to stay in a motel.

Championship Distance Running (PHED 103)

Awesome early enrollment college class for high school students. The class is designated to teach the joys and the art and science of being involved in the sport of distance running. Ron Gunn, who has coached 136 collegiate All Americans and eight NJCAA national championship teams, will teach the class. Topics and how they relate to championship running include:

• Tear and Repair system of training (all phases)
• Technique and style
• Tactics and strategy
• Developing leg speed through plyometrics
• Strength training
• Eating to Excel program
• Flexibility
• Mental training (psychocybernetics)

In addition to working with students on an individual basis, Coach Gunn will provide a high degree of motivation and training schedules for all phases of a cross country, track or road race season.

Participants will be required to keep a log book and the final exam will be the completion of a summer road race such as the highly acclaimed Steve’s Run.

The class would be appropriate for a high school student seeking early college baccalaureate degree credits (two) and also meets the wellness requirements of WMU and several other colleges and universities. It is a core curriculum credit at SMC. The class meets on Wednesdays from 5:30-7 p.m.

Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore and White Pine Trail

Encounter beautiful waterfalls, towering cliffs overlooking Lake Superior and serene inland lakes while day hiking selected trails of the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore and While Pine Trail.

The lab fee of $125 includes transportation, camping site (platform tents included), continental breakfast at the lodge, a trail lunch and the guide services of Ron Gunn.

Spring Break in the Florida Keys (PHED 103)

The lower the latitude, the better the attitude! Students can enjoy a trip to the Florida Keys during Spring Break while earning two PHED 103 credits. The trip includes round trip airfare, lodging for seven nights, all park fees, cool custom shirt, wilderness day hikes to the everglades, South Beach, Key West and Ft. Lauderdale and beach aerobics.

The cost of the trip is $550* plus standard tuition and fees for the PHED 103 class. Special activities fees for snorkeling, scuba diving, sea kayaking, bike touring are not included. Wilderness Day Hiking and Beach Aerobics have no activity fee. Pell Grand Funds may be used.

*Cost TBD based on travel expenses and selected activities.

Distance Running or Sport Walking (PHED 103)

This class is designed to teach the joys of being involved in the sports of distance running and sport walking. Coach Ron Gunn, who will teach the class, has not only coached 136 collegiate All Americans, but he has successfully worked with hundreds of runners and walkers who have participated successfully in events that range from a 5K to a marathon. The five lectures will cover training, technique, nutrition, stretching, strength training, mental training and strategies for successful distance running and sport walking. The class is very helpful for beginners and Coach Gunn will also explore advance techniques such as bounding and speed work for experienced runners.

Participants will be required to keep a log book for a minimum of 20 hours of independent training prescribed by Coach Gunn and the final exam will be the completion of the a summer road race such as the highly acclaimed Steve’s Run, conducted in Dowagiac. Class is held on Wednesdays from 5:30-7:00 p.m.

Downhill Skiing - Snowboarding (PHED 103)

This class, for beginners to intermediate levels, will meet for six lecture sessions and five lab sessions. The lectures will be conducted on Thursdays at the SMC Dowagiac campus from 6-8 p.m. and the activity sessions will be held at Swiss Valley Ski Area.

The exact schedule of lecture and lab sessions will be determined by the weather.

Special lab fees ranging from $65 to $120 will be charged depending on the equipment needed.

Canoeing

Canoe the scenic and remote Seney National Wildlife Refuge in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. Coach Gunn will buy your dinner if you see moose during your trip. The class will meet for six lectures on Wednesdays from 5:30-7:30 p.m.

The lab fee of $145.00 includes transportation, camping site (on Lake Superior) park fees and the guide services of Ron Gunn. For a modest additional charge, students may stay in a motel. Students will be responsible for meals, camping equipment and day hiking equipment, including a day pack.