Question 1

What is the College Field Semester in Regenerative Design?

Accepted Answer

The College Field Semester in Regenerative Design is an accredited, 16-credit college semester that replaces a traditional on-campus term with an immersive, place-based learning experience in Southwest Colorado.

Instead of spending most of the semester in classrooms, students:
live and learn in community
travel through the San Juan and Animas River watersheds
engage in wilderness expeditions (backpacking, rafting)
work on real-world regenerative design projects with partner organizations
earn college credit through Prescott College

The program is academically rigorous, physically engaging, and intentionally designed to support both intellectual development and personal growth.

Question 2

Who is this program for?

Accepted Answer

The College Field Semester in Regenerative Design is designed for students at different points in their college journey, united by a shared desire for meaningful, applied learning and personal growth.

For students coming out of a gap year or transitional year
For first- and second-year college students seeking depth and direction
For sophomore- and junior-level students pursuing applied field experience

This program is a strong fit for students who:

want hands-on, experiential learning
are curious about sustainability, climate, ecology, community resilience, or social change
learn best by doing, reflecting, and applying ideas in real contexts
are open to personal growth, challenge, and living in community
curiosity about the world and their place in it
openness to challenge and growth
readiness for immersive learning and community living
desire for education that connects knowledge to action

Students do not need prior experience in sustainability or outdoor education. They do need curiosity, maturity, and willingness to engage fully.

This is not a traditional gap year, and it is not a traditional classroom semester.
It is an accredited college field semester designed to meet students where they are—and help them move forward with greater clarity, confidence, and capability.

(EEC) statement if you have questions about student eligibility for the program.

Question 3

What kind of student thrives in this program?

Accepted Answer

Students who thrive tend to be:
curious
adaptable
reflective
willing to be challenged
interested in both the world and themselves

This is not a traditional classroom semester — it’s an integrated learning experience designed to support students in becoming thoughtful, capable, and grounded adults.

Question 4

What majors does this program support?

Accepted Answer

The Field Semester aligns particularly well with students interested in majors such as:

Environmental Studies / Environmental Science
Sustainability Studies
Environmental Humanities
Ecology, Biology, Conservation
Geography
Anthropology & Cultural Studies
Sociology
Political Science & Public Policy
Outdoor Education / Experiential Learning
Climate Studies
Community Development
Architecture / Design / Planning (early-stage exploration)

Even for students who are undeclared, this semester often helps clarify academic direction and purpose.

Question 5

What is regenerative design (in plain English)?

Accepted Answer

Regenerative design goes beyond sustainability.

Sustainability asks: How do we do less harm?
Regenerative design asks: How do we actively improve the health of communities and ecosystems?

In practice, regenerative design means learning how to:

restore ecosystems rather than deplete them
strengthen communities rather than extract from them
design systems (food, water, energy, education, governance) that support long-term vitality

Students learn these ideas not just in theory, but by working on real projects in real places.

Question 6

What are socio-ecological systems and living systems thinking?

Accepted Answer

A socio-ecological system is the understanding that:

human communities and natural ecosystems are deeply interconnected
changes in one affect the other

Living systems thinking means learning to see:

patterns instead of isolated problems
relationships instead of silos
long-term consequences instead of short-term fixes

Students apply these ideas to watersheds, communities, organizations, and projects throughout the semester.

Question 7

What kinds of hands-on activities will students do?

Accepted Answer

Students will:

participate in backpacking and rafting expeditions
explore national parks and public lands in the region
conduct field observations and ecological assessments
engage in cross-cultural service learning with Indigenous partners
work on regenerative design projects with real organizations
complete a capstone project demonstrating applied learning

Question 8

Where will students live?

Accepted Answer

Students will be based at the Deer Hill Expeditions campus, a 100+ acre property in Southwest Colorado.

Housing includes:

shared cabins
camping during field expeditions
The Loft: a heated, two-bed accommodation with:
kitchen
living room
showers
flush toilets
laundry facilities

Housing is simple, comfortable, and intentionally designed to support community living.

Question 9

What about meals?

Accepted Answer

Meals are:

prepared as a group by students
cooked in the Deer Hill kitchen or in the field while camping
designed to support nutrition, collaboration, and shared responsibility

Food costs are included in the program fee.

Question 10

Is this a substance-free program?

Accepted Answer

Yes.

This is a substance-free program, and the Deer Hill campus is substance-free for all students, including those over 21.

This policy supports:

safety
clarity
community trust
physical and emotional well-being

Violations of the substance use policy may result in dismissal from the program.

For more details please see: Student Policies & Expectations

Question 11

What personal gear will students need?

Accepted Answer

Students will need to provide personal outdoor gear, including:

clothing suitable for variable weather
sturdy footwear
a backpacking backpack

WSI will provide guidance and gear lists well in advance. No specialized technical gear beyond standard outdoor equipment is required.

Question 12

How does this compare financially to a traditional college semester?

Accepted Answer

The total cost of the Field Semester is $24,500, which includes:

instruction
housing
meals
transportation
field travel
national park visits
expeditions
mentoring
real-world projects
and 16 college credits

This cost is comparable to — and often less than — a typical semester at a public state university when you add up:

tuition
room and board
books
transportation
and additional experiential costs

What makes the Field Semester different is how much is included and how integrated the learning experience is.

Question 13

What personal growth and reflection work will students do?

Accepted Answer

Personal development is a core part of the program and includes:

wilderness trips
sit spots (regular solo time in nature)
guided solos
values clarification
discovering personal gifts and strengths
journaling and reflection
leadership development
mindfulness practices
cultivating emotional awareness and resilience
Workview and Lifeview exercises
develop a personal A.D.A.P.T. plan and vision and aim for what is next after the program
spend time with mentors and experts in conservation and sustainability fields

These practices support students in developing clarity, confidence, and purpose.

Question 14

What are the program break dates?

Accepted Answer

The program includes scheduled breaks when regular programming is paused and staff are off duty:

September 18–21, 2026
October 15–18, 2026
November 21–29, 2026

During these breaks:

students may leave campus, go home, or travel independently
the Deer Hill campus will be closed
WSI is not responsible for students during these periods

Students may choose to remain in the Deer Hill housing, but no formal programming will be provided.

For more details please see the Student Policies & Expectations

Question 15

What about cars and transportation?

Accepted Answer

Students may arrive with a personal vehicle if they choose
During the program, students will not have access to personal vehicles
During program breaks, students may access their vehicles for independent travel

Question 16

What happens if the program is cancelled?

Accepted Answer

See Withdrawals and Cancellations Page

Question 17

Still have questions?

Accepted Answer

Families are encouraged to reach out to the Western Slope Institute team with questions about fit, academics, logistics, or finances.

Frequently Asked questions