Outdoor Recreation Scholarship
Whitman’s Outdoor Program (OP) is a gateway to the Pacific Northwest. As a student, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to join weekend adventures, take skills workshops or courses for credit, climb in our state-of-the-art on-campus Climbing Center, or grab gear from our Rental Shop for your own trips. Whether you’re a seasoned adventurer or just curious to try something new, you’ll find plenty of ways to explore, connect and have fun in the outdoors while at Whitman.
If you have a passion and enthusiasm for outdoor skills, leadership and community building, you are invited to apply for the Outdoor Recreation Scholarship.
Whitman recognizes that not all incoming students have had equal access or opportunities to develop skills and experience in outdoor activities prior to coming to Whitman. Students from historically underrepresented backgrounds or who are the first in their families to attend college are strongly encouraged to apply.
What It Means To Be a Scholarship Recipient
While at Whitman, recipients are expected to actively engage in Whitman’s Outdoor Program by taking part in one or more activities of their choosing for a total of at least 100 hours each semester.
Students in their junior and senior years are expected to take on leadership roles, teach courses and be involved in multiple outdoor activities. Eligible activities include but are not limited to:
- Going on outdoor trips
- Leading outdoor trips
- Leading Whitman’s Outdoor Orientation Trip (WOOT) for new students
- Staffing Whitman’s Climbing Center, Rental Shop or Bike Shop
- Serving as a ski technician, open kayak instructor or similar roles
- Holding an officer position in an outdoor student club (Climbing, Whitewater, Backcountry Ski and Snowboard, etc.)
- Participating in a club sport (Nordic Ski Racing, Alpine Ski Racing or the Climbing Team)
- Serving in an OP leadership position (outdoor coordinator, trip coordinator, outdoor accessibility, etc.)
- Contributing to the Whitman Outdoor Journal
How To Apply
You will gain access to the scholarship application and materials in the applicant portal after submitting your Whitman admission application. Apply to Whitman.
A brief overview of the required attachments include:
- The application questionnaire
- An outdoor experience log
- A letter of recommendation from someone familiar with your outdoor skills or potential
Deadlines
If you are applying Early Decision, your scholarship application is due five days after the application deadline. If you are applying for Regular Decision, you have until Jan. 22, 2026, to get your scholarship application in.
- Early Decision I Talent Scholarship Application Deadline: Nov. 20, 2025
- Early Decision II Talent Scholarship Application Deadline: Jan. 15, 2026
- Regular Decision Talent Scholarship Application Deadline: Jan. 22, 2026
Transfer students interested in applying to the scholarship should reach out to Whitman’s Talent Scholarship Coordinator prior to their admission deadline.
Please refer to the Merit and Talent Scholarship webpage for more information. If you have any questions, please reach out to our Talent Scholarship Coordinator at talent@whitman.edu.
FAQs
If admitted to Whitman, you will receive your scholarship information and any other financial aid offer in your admission notification.
The Outdoor Recreation Scholarship supports student participation in Whitman’s Outdoor Program, but it does not cover training or certification costs. Instead, Whitman’s Leadership Education Advancement Fund (LEAF) scholarships help students with financial need access SSRA Outdoor Leadership Courses, which provide valuable training and certifications that prepare students for jobs and leadership opportunities within the Outdoor Program. Learn more about the LEAF.
The Outdoor Program does hire student workers, however, jobs are not guaranteed to scholarship recipients. All students are welcome to apply for these positions at the start of the academic year. Scholarship recipients who are hired can count their work hours toward the 100-hour requirement to maintain their scholarship.
You do not need one to apply for the Outdoor Recreation Scholarship.
If you are hired as an OP Trip Leader, you must have a valid US driver's license.
The Bob Carson Outdoor Fund (BCOF) gives students the opportunity to participate in Outdoor Program trips, regardless of their ability to pay the cost of a trip. Specifically, BCOF allows every student to participate in at least one trip hosted by the OP every year they are at Whitman. Learn more BCOF.
Looking for an outdoor experience or interested in a first-aid course? Check out the OP’s online portal, Compass.