Two bikers on a dock in front of a lake and fall colors with a mountain in the distance

Outdoor Recreation Business Administration

B.A. Degree with a major in Outdoor Recreation Business Administration

Turn Your Love for the Outdoors into a Career Adventure!

The University of Maine at Farmington’s Outdoor Recreation Business Administration (ORBA) program blends a love for the outdoors with skills to manage or launch four-season recreation businesses.  This unique blend equips you with the knowledge and skills needed to succeed in the growing Outdoor Recreation, Adventure Travel, Hospitality, and Tourism industries. Whether you’re aiming to work with established companies or launch your venture, this program prepares you to thrive in Western Maine’s vibrant outdoor economy and beyond.

Program Requirements Ask a Professor

Master Business Skills and Lead Outdoors with ORBA

The ORBA program at UMF was created with input from outdoor industry leaders to equip you with the skills needed for success in outdoor recreation. Nestled in Western Maine’s scenic foothills, UMF offers access to top outdoor activities like skiing, hiking, and whitewater rafting, making it a perfect place for outdoor enthusiasts.

Students can get involved through Mainely Outdoors, a year-round adventure program that promotes activities like kayaking, snowshoeing, and mountain biking for all skill levels. Many ORBA students also earn a UMF Alpine Operations Certificate alongside their degree, enhancing their hands-on experience and career readiness in the outdoor industry.

Explore Courses and Requirements

Choose Your Concentration

Outdoor Recreation

Build hands-on leadership and technical skills for outdoor recreation careers through courses in adventure education, paddlesports, hiking, camping, resort operations, and outdoor tourism.

Snowsports

Gain industry-specific experience in alpine operations, ski area management, and snowsports recreation while developing skills for careers in the winter recreation industry.

Hospitality

Learn the fundamentals of hospitality management, food and beverage operations, and lodging systems to prepare for leadership roles in hotels, resorts, and guest services.

Tourism

Explore sustainable tourism development, entrepreneurship, and destination management while learning how to create meaningful visitor experiences and support local economies.

Why UMF

Two canoes on a lake in front of mountains on a fall day.

Gateway to the Mountains

Located in western Maine, UMF offers access in your backyard to forests, lakes, and mountains that serve as a hands-on learning environment.
Outdoor Recreation

Affordability

UMF provides a high-quality, affordable education with strong financial aid options to support student success.
Costs & Aid
Outdoor recreation business administration student at internship smiles at camera.

Graduate Career Ready

Internships and real-world experiences prepare students for careers in outdoor recreation, tourism, and related industries.
Experiential Learning
Outdoor Recreation Business Administration major Leah is dressed in snow gear, holding a cup and smiling.
Outdoor Recreation Business Administration major Leah is dressed in snow gear, holding a cup and smiling.

Get Your Shred On — FREE

At UMF, skiing and snowboarding are part of everyday student life. Full-time students enjoy free access to Titcomb Mountain just minutes from campus, along with instruction and opportunities that can extend to major Maine destinations like Sunday River and Sugarloaf. Whether joining competitive Alpine, Nordic, and snowboard teams or heading out with the Farmington Outing Club and Mainely Outdoors, students have year-round ways to stay active outside.

Recognized as a Top 20 College for Skiing & Snowsports (U.S. News & World Report), UMF is a destination for students who love the outdoors.

Explore Sports & Recreation

Interested in a Minor?

The Tourism, Hospitality, and Outdoor Recreation (THOR) multicampus minor offers students a broader understanding of the state of Maine as a whole through hands-on learning, connections with workforce leaders, and exploration of the cultural, historical, scientific, and economic framework of this unique world-class travel destination.

Additional complimentary minors for ORBA majors include Business, Environmental Studies, Economics, and Data Analytics, helping students expand their skills, broaden career opportunities, and tailor their education to their interests.

THOR Minor

Contact Us to Get Started!

Office of Admissions
246 Main Street
Farmington, Maine USA 04938-1994
umfadmit@maine.edu
207.778.7050
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