Essential Eligibility Criteria
Outdoor Recreation Program
The following outlines the essential eligibility criteria for minimum physical and mental functions to participate in Outdoor Recreation Program programing.
*Reasonable assistance is defined as aid, the use of technology, alterations to an itinerary, and/or other programmatic support that allows for the achievement of stated outcomes.
General
- Breathe independently (i.e., not require medical devices to sustain breathing)
- Independently hold head upright without neck/head support
- Manage personal care independently or with assistance in remote environments without access to electricity and/or running water
- Manage personal mobility independently or with reasonable assistance
- Follow instructions and effectively communicate independently or with assistance of a companion
- Travel over varied terrain with loose footing independently or with reasonable assistance
- Maintain a safe body position while participating in program activates as outlined in individual trip/program outlines
- All participants must be, at minimum, 66 lbs of weight. This is the cutoff for the adult dosage for Epinephrine, a potentially life saving medication.
- All programs require participants to read and understand a participant agreement. All non-MSU student youth participants must be accompanied by a parent or guardian who can sign on their behalf.
Watercraft-based programming
- Independently maintain sealed airway passages while under water
- Independently turn from face-down to face-up and remain floating face up while wearing a properly fitted life jacket
- Get on/off or in/out of a watercraft independently or with a reasonable amount of assistance
- Independently get out and from under a capsized watercraft
- Remount or re-enter the watercraft following deep water capsize independently or with a reasonable amount of assistance
Rock and Ice Climbing
- Maintain a safe body position independently or with a reasonable amount of assistance while using appropriate harness and rope systems
- Independently hold head upright while wearing a helmet
Backpacking
- Travel over terrain that is rugged, steep, and/or off camber independently or with reasonable assistance
- Transport necessary equipment for distances of up to 1 mile at a time independently or with reasonable assistance
Backcountry Ski or Snowboarding
- Independently hold head upright while wearing a helmet during downhill travel
- Travel over snow-covered terrain that is rugged, steep, and/or off camber independently or with reasonable assistance
- Ability to come to a stop independently or with reasonable assistance
Biking
- Independently hold head upright while wearing a helmet
- Travel over varied and/or off camber terrain independently or with reasonable assistance
- Ability to come to a stop independently or with reasonable assistance