In 2009, University of Maine at Farmington launched its exciting new interdisciplinary Outdoor Recreation Business Administration program (ORBA). Developed in collaboration with UMF's partners in recreation and tourism: Saddleback, Sugarloaf, and Sunday River ski resorts; Maine Huts & Trails; the Maine Office of Tourism; Carrabassett Valley Academy (CVA); the Maine Woods Consortium; and others, the ORBA program is designed to help prepare students to work in Maine's important outdoor recreation-related tourism industry. ORBA classes frequently feature guest speakers -- leading industry professionals in the outdoor recreation and nature-based tourism industries -- who provide an insider's perspective of their world and give students opportunities to ask questions in an informal academic setting. It also provides golden opportunities to make valuable industry contacts. The new program requires an internship. This provides students with valuable outside-the-classroom / inside-the-industry learning experiences, while helping them to make solid professional contacts and develop valuable, marketable skills. ORBA also incorporates existing recreational programming at UMF, such as the Fitness & Rec Center's weekend excursions (hiking, camping, canoeing, snowshoeing, and more). It also works closely with on-campus student organizations such as the Ski & Outing Club, which helps students to develop outdoor skills in a variety of areas.
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