Recreation/Wellness/Instructional Classes

Contact Courtney Walters for more information (courtney7800@gmail.com)

Participants will be guided through the American Heart Association in CPR/AED/First Aid course. A certification test will be held at the end of the course and those who pass will receive "Adult/Child Basic CPR/AED/First Aid" certification card (valid for two years from date of certification). This is a one day, 7.5 hour course. If taking as for-credit, you must be present the entire class to receive a passing grade.

The course fee is $80 and includes a certification card in CPR/AED/First Aid, a personal book to keep and a personal rescue mask to keep. 

Golf Basics Level 1 (Beginning- Co Ed):

In this class the student works on the full swing including putting and chipping. Basic fundamentals, rules, course etiquette, and course management are covered. Some on-course instruction is included. Clubs provided or you may use your own. No experience needed.

Golf Skills Development (Intermediate & Advanced- Co Ed) Level 2: This class is designed for the person who has either played golf before or has had previous instruction. Students will work on the long irons and woods. Instruction is taught at the student level. Clubs provided or you may use your own. Prerequisites: Level 1 or equivalent skills.

For all classes:

• Location: Riverwalk Golf Club
• Transportation is NOT provided
• Student must pay the course fee at Riverwalk before the start of the first class
• Email Riverwalk with any class questions: gm@riverwalkgc.com

Get ready to have some fun in the sun (it's what you went to USD for, right?!?!) in our informal games class. Enjoy lawn and pool side and/or lawn games such as Bocce Ball, Corn Hole, Giant Jenga, Ping Pong, Water Basketball, Spikeball and so much more! Class will be guided by an instructor and activities will be determined by what is available, interest and weather. Get your game face on in this awesome class and join us for some fun in the sun!

Learn the skills and techniques required to become a lifeguard in this American Red Cross certifying class. Must attend every class to receive a passing grade (if taking as for-credit). Must pass the swim skills test as well as the written test to earn and receive your official certification card. 

• This course will require participants to be able to demonstrate varied swim skills including:
  • Swim 300 yards continuously of front crawl using rhythmic breathing and stabilization, propellant kick. Rhythmic breathing can be performed either by breathing to the side or front. 
  • Swim 20 yards using front crawl or breaststroke, surface dive to a depth of 7-10 feet, retrieve a 10-pound object, return to the surface, and swim 20 yards back to the starting point with object and exit the water without using a ladder or steps, within 1 minute, 40 seconds.
  • Tread water without use of arms for 2-minutes
• This is a hand-on course guided by a certified Lifeguard Instructor that will involve in-pool sessions as well as classroom based sessions.
• At the end of the course, you will receive your certification (valid for 2 years) as a pool Lifeguard as well as your adult/child/infant CPR/AED/First Aid certification for the professional rescurer (valid for 2 years). 

*Offered varied semesters only.

Massage provides relaxation from the stress and tension of everyday living while enhancing general health and well being. It can also help athletes to heal more quickly after tough workouts. Massage is not only therapeutic, but it feels good as well. Various massage techniques will be covered as well as holistic modalities and overall wellness in this 6 week course. See course schedule for course dates. May only miss one class if taking as for-credit (to receive a passing grade).

Nature Unplugged: Wellness through healthy relationships with technology and nature

We are living in a digital age with an abundance of technology all around us. While that offers us incredible benefits, it also creates significant challenges in maintaining healthy relationships with the devices and screens in our lives. The digital age is also inspiring more time indoors and less time in nature than ever before. This combination is contributing to a decline in our physical, mental and emotional well-being. The purpose of this class is to help participants bring balance back into their lives in this digital age. We will focus on concepts such as mindfulness, mindset, and movement. Course objectives:

• Discover (or rediscover) the beauty and benefits of nature

• Spend more time outdoors and less time inside

• Achieve more with a goal orientation and improve your goal-making skills

• Reclaim a spirit of playfulness and reinsert free time into your day

• Build capacity for self-reflection and self-awareness

• Deepen your mindfulness practice and live more intentionally

• Lean into discomfort and push the edges of your comfort zone

• Regain control of the tech/media in your life by setting healthy boundaries

This course (offered varied semesters only) is based on the curriculum Sonya Mohamed and Sebastian Slovin (MA in Leadership Studies USD Alumni) developed for their wellness education company, Nature Unplugged.

Contact Sebastian Slovin for more info: sslovin@sandiego.edu; Nature Unplugged Website

Ever want to explore just how nutrition affects overall health and well-being? Then this class is for you! Course will review nutritional information including nutrition labels, dieting fads and myths, how to eat for certain types of bodies/exercises, American diet trends, and overall holistic health practices. This is an excellent class to compliment the health minded student who wants valuable information on just what is in our food.

Learn the basic skills of backpacking! Explore the selected travel destination of Outdoor Adventures semester 4 to 6 day trip. Travel to an area (TBA per semester) with a trained Guide that has an abundance of great beginners and intermediate backpacking trails. Enjoy spectacular views, social team building activities, stargazing and learn about the great outdoors. The challenges of these hikes are rewarded by the experience of clean lakes, clean air, and picturesque scenery. This may be one of your most memorable classes yet! Visit Outdoor Adventures for additional information.

Intro class will go to one location while the intermediate class will go to a different location (locations differ per semester)

You must have an active health insurance policy and you will be required to complete a health statement/liability waiver. If you are under 18, please notify a staff member before you sign up.

• Price: $TBA (includes instruction, transportation, entrance fees, camping, most meals and some specialized adventure clothing as needed)
• Dates and Times: TBA
• Away trip to mountains: TBA
• Contact markceder@sandiego.edu for more information regarding this class.

Travel to a scenic climbing site (location changes per semester- TBA) and explore a variety of climbs of various difficulties. Our trained climbing instructors will teach you the essentials of rock climbing and have you climbing routes of a range of difficulties that will challenge any skill level. You will spend four days tent camping at a local campground and participate as a group in outdoor living skills such as camp setup and group cooking. Be prepared to spend 4 to 8 hours per day at the climbing site. There may be opportunities to explore the surrounding environment. No experience necessary.

*Class is offered varied semesters only.

You must have an active health insurance policy and you will be required to complete a health statement & liability waiver. If you are under 18, please notify a staff member before you sign up.

• Fee: TBA (includes instruction, transportation, camping and activity specific equipment, food, and entrance fees/permits)
• Class Dates and Times: TBA
• Contact kellysloan@sandiego.edu for more information regarding this class.

Get ready to have an unforgettable experience in this 4-6 day trip class. Explore the selected travel destination of this Outdoor Adventures semester trip. Travel to an area (TBA per semester) with a trained Guide that has an abundance of great beginners and intermediate hiking trails. Enjoy spectacular views, social team building activities, stargazing and learn about the great outdoors. The challenges of these hikes are rewarded by the experience of clean lakes, clean air, and picturesque scenery. This may be one of your most memorable classes yet! Visit Outdoor Adventures for additional information.

You must have an active health insurance policy and you will be required to complete a health statement/liability waiver. If you are under 18, please notify a staff member before you sign up.

• Price: $TBA (includes instruction, transportation, entrance fees, camping, most meals and some specialized adventure clothing as needed)
• Dates and Times: TBA
• Away trip to mountains: TBA
• Contact markceder@sandiego.edu for more information regarding this class.

0.5 unit class to go along with the Guide Development program. Please contact outdoor@sandiego.edu for more information on how to become an Outdoor Adventures guide.

Explore the selected travel destination of Outdoor Adventures semester 4 to 6 day Paddle-focused trip. Travel to an area (TBA per semester) with a trained Guide that has an abundance of great beginners and intermediate paddle routes. Enjoy spectacular views, social team building activities, stargazing and learn about the great outdoors.  Visit Outdoor Adventures for additional information.

You must have an active health insurance policy and you will be required to complete a health statement/liability waiver. If you are under 18, please notify a staff member before you sign up.

• Price: $TBA (includes instruction, transportation, entrance fees, camping, most meals and some specialized adventure clothing as needed)
• Dates and Times: TBA
• Away trip to mountains: TBA
• Contact markceder@sandiego.edu for more information regarding this class.

What's better than a beautiful, sunny Sunday morning spent exploring San Diego's diverse terrains? Spend your Sundays sampling some of the best outdoExplore the diverse terrains of San Diego County through a series of day outings. Spend six Sundays sampling some of the best outdoor locations that San Diego has to offer. This class includes hikes in Anza Borrego State Park as well as locations closer to home, such as Torrey Pines State Reserve and Cedar Creek Falls in Ramona. On the water, we will explore the ecological preserve at La Jolla and view the downtown San Diego skyline while paddling on the Big Bay. Be prepared to spend between 3 and 8 hours outdoors while hiking or kayaking 2 to 8 miles per class. No experience necessary. Don't leave USD without experiencing San Diego Outdoors!

Visit Outdoor Adventures for additional information (x4709).

You must have an active health insurance policy and you will be required to complete a health statement/liability waiver. If you are under 18, please notify a staff member before you sign up.

• Fee: $TBA (Includes instruction, transportation, activity specific equipment and permits)
• Class Dates and Times: TBA
• Contact markceder@sandiego.edu for more information regarding this class.

Learn the necessary skills required to become a certified personal trainer. This class will prep you for the actual personal training exam and review nutrition planning, how to attract clientele, and how to be an effective trainer to various demographics. Don't want to prep for the exam? No problem! This is a great course to simply learn about your own personal fitness and physiology. The course has a hands-on component where the master trainer will walk you through a variety of gym-based exercises. 

Extra book fees might be required if you elect to follow along with the prep course materials (not required). Class members will prepare to take the ACE certification exam (which thy can elect to take for an additional out-of-pocket fee when ready to do so at an off-site venue).

*Class offered varied semesters only.

All classes as listed below include instruction in fundamentals, ground strokes, service, volleys, and tactics. Advanced classes (intermediate and advanced) go in to individualized techniques and have more play time. Classes offered (some only varied semesters):

• Beginning
• Intermediate/Advanced
• Multi-Level (*Offered varied semesters only)
• Fitness & Play (*Offered varied semesters only)

Experience the beauty of the underwater world first hand. This class will fully prepare you for the experience of SCUBA diving.

Included in the program:

• Five combination video presentations and discussion sessions, on the knowledge, judgment and technical aspects of diving (classes held on campus)
• Four pool sessions to acquire the watermanship skills necessary to be a safe diver (held in the USD SC Pool)
• One ocean orientation lecture dealing with water conditions, marine plants, and animals found in this area
  • Ocean dives are held off campus- transportation is not provided. 
• Four open water dives for practical experience in an ocean environment on Saturdays
  • Ocean dives are held off campus- transportation is not provided. 
• An internationally recognized certification card is earned upon completion of this course

Transportation is not provided to the ocean dives.

Fee: $215 for approximately 6 week class (course length is dependent on holiday schedule and the weather for the ocean dives).

*Extra fees are required for you to purchase or rent a snorkel, mask, booties, fins and gloves. All USD students enrolled get a discount on products from Ocean Enterprises.

Questions: Contact Curt Thompson (thompson.curt@gmail.com) 

The advanced SCUBA course is an opportunity for the certified SCUBA diver to obtain additional training in specialized areas of diving. The class will present four topics. Each topic will include one lecture session and two ocean dives. The lectures are held on campus while the ocean dives are held of campus. Transportation is ot provided to the ocean dives. 

1. Underwater navigation
2. Limiting visibility and night diving
3. Stress and rescue
4. Deep diving

Students may choose two or four of the specialties that interest them. In this way, the advanced course may be tailored to the individual student's interests and abilities. Upon completing twenty-four logged dives (including the eight dives of the four specialty classes), the diver is eligible for the PADI Advanced Divers certification card.

Transportation is not provided to the ocean dives.

Fee: $215 for approximately 3-5 week course (course length is dependent on holiday schedule and the weather for the ocean dives). 

*Extra fees are required for you to purchase or rent a snorkel, mask, booties, fins and gloves. All USD students enrolled get a discount on products from Ocean Enterprises.

Questions: Contact Curt Thompson (thompson.curt@gmail.com) 

This class teaches you the proper techniques required to teach young children through adults how to swim following the American Red Cross WSI standards.

This course will require participants to be able to demonstrate varied swim skills including:

• Front Crawl - 25 yards
• Back Crawl - 25 yards
• Breaststroke - 25 yards
• Elementary backstroke - 25 yards
• Sidestroke - 25 yards
• Butterfly - 15 yards
• Maintain position on back for 1 minute in deep water (floating or sculling)
• Tread water for 1 minute

The class meets the 40 hour WSI Red Cross requirement. When you have completed the requirements and passed the tests, you will receive the American Res Cross WSI certification card.

Additional fees for the book and/or certification card might apply. 

*Offered varied semesters only.