COUCH potato or a career in the great outdoors?

That is choice for students offered a new course at Kingston Maurward College, near Dorchester.

January and February may not be a time to be outside in the wind and the rain but it is a good time to be thinking about starting a new career.

Kingston Maurward College is recruiting now for a course that has been set up especially for students who want a practical route to a degree and a career in Outdoor Adventure Management.

The Foundation Degree in Outdoor Adventure Management is run in conjunction with Bournemouth University and is not for couch potatoes.

Being outside in all weathers, pushing yourself to the limit and taking up every physical challenge you can, isn't everyone's idea of a great time.

But Jamie Thorpe, 23, and Kate Masters, 19, both in their second year of the foundation degree, definitely recommend it.

Kate had taken three A-levels and did not want to take a degree that would mean sitting in a lecture room all the time.

By chance she came to Kingston Maurward Open Day in 2004 and loved the atmosphere so much that she decided to return.

Now, instead of spending her time sitting in lectures all day, she can be found in a kayak, climbing mountains, walking in the hills, underground caving and even abseiling.

A foundation degree is a great way of preparing for a career in professional outdoor adventure management and there is never a boring moment.

Kate explains: "The big appeal for me is that it's located right in the middle of Dorset where outdoor activities are on the doorstep.

"We've got everything from canoeing, world class climbing, biking, watersports, sailing and orienteering.

"Not only do I have the opportunity to build my CV with a whole range of qualifications, I also get to take part in trips and expeditions with tutoring staff with a vast range of expertise and experience.

"What could be better?"

She added: "I want to be a professional kayaking instructor, to travel with my career and to train people in outdoor activity skills, so this has to be the best way to do it.

"I can do two years here at college and then complete the degree by a further year at a university."

Jamie Thorpe wanted to gain both practical and management skills.

"My aim is to get into outdoor adventure management.

"Of course there's theory to learn, but here I have the chance to put it into practice.

"One of the practical things we do is to set up and manage the summer holiday camp for the public and treat it as a commercial business - getting a chance to manage everything from finance to marketing.

"It's good hands-on experience and the summer school has to run smoothly.

"The focus on real skills gives us the chance to work towards a great list of qualifications, from British Canoe Union qualifications, first aid, leadership awards and NVQs, to instructor levels - all of which are highly valuable for a career in outdoor activity management.

"We have also had the chance to take part in white water kayaking on the Exe, caving at Cheddar and expeditions to Snowdonia and Scotland, putting our leadership and organisational skills to the test."

The foundation degree course was started two years ago in conjunction with Bournemouth University and recruitment is taking place now for September.

Students have all the benefits of university campus life and can use both Bournemouth University and Kingston Maurward facilities.

There is also the option to live on site in Kingston Maurward student accommodation.

Foundation degree students can go straight into employment at the end of the two years, or take another year at a number of universities, to convert into a full degree.

Jamie intends to go to Liverpool, to St John Moore's College, to take his degree in leisure and tourism management, followed by a year at Bangor University taking a teaching qualification.

The course is aimed at students aged 18 plus with a minimum of 120 UCAS points or mature students with relevant background and experience.

There are also other courses to suit all abilities and ages (16+), including the BTEC First Diploma in Sport (Outdoor Education) and the BTEC National Diploma in Sport (Outdoor Education) at levels 2 and 3.

All course participants can take part in the wide range of sporting activities at Kingston Maurward and also a large number of expeditions.

Jamie and Kate have recently made trips to Hamm Hill, Durlston Country Park and Scotland.

For more information about Outdoor Education and Sports Leadership courses, visit the Kingston Maurward website www.kmc.ac.uk or telephone 01305 215018.