GCC Adventuresports Institute

The Adventuresports Institute
at Garrett College

A Brief History of the Adventuresports Institute®:

Officially founded in May, 1992, the Adventuresports Institute® (ASI), a wholly owned operation of Garrett College, is the result of efforts that extend back to the mid-1980's as Western Maryland's Allegany and Garrett counties hosted the 1989 Whitewater World Championships and as Garrett College, as a community service, undertook the organization of the 1992 Olympic Team Trials in Whitewater Canoe and Kayak racing. During those days it was realized, by various public and private sector enterprises, that this area's natural gifts of a distinctive four-season climate and a diverse geology were especially supportive of adventure recreation activities. In response to meeting the needs of a local, regional, and national clientele, ASI was initiated.

The Mission of ASI:

The mission of the Adventuresports Institute® is to expand opportunities to experience the manifold benefits of safe participation in adventure recreation; to educate and credential a workforce of skilled and environmentally sensitive professionals who can occupy positions of responsibility within the field of adventure recreation; and to support aspirations for economic development through the adventure industry.

The Goals of ASI:

To provide a program of education designed to prepare and credential highly skilled and competent professionals.
To enhance opportunities for the general public to participate in adventure recreation.
To cooperate with and support local, regional, state, and federal agencies and other organizations in their efforts to develop Garrett County and the surrounding region as a point of destination for adventure recreation.
To cooperate with other agencies and organizations in supporting regional, national, or world class adventure events and competitions.

The Structure of ASI:

The following organization chart shows the relationship of the Adventuresports Institute® (ASI):

Community Involvement:

In support of its mission and goals, ASI has become involved with a number of public service, community improvement projects. Hiking/biking trail planning and repair, river and rock climbing site clean-up projects as well as mentoring programs for youth and service projects with senior citizens at nearby residential facilities are among the efforts in which ASI finds itself involved. In addition, members of the ASI staff serve in an advisory capacity to the International Adventure Sports Center in McHenry, Maryland.

Currently, ASI is also involved in a multi-year program, funded by a Waterway Improvement Grant from the Maryland Department of Natural Resources in which ASI staff have planned and implemented a program to improve public access to local rivers. Because of ASI's efforts, the public now has take-out facilities on the North Branch of the Potomac River at Bloomington, Maryland. Plans include an expansion of this effort to include put-in and take out facilities on the Youghiogheny River at Crellin and Oakland, Maryland.