Frequently Asked questions

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.

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.  

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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

• 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

See Withdrawals and Cancellations Page

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