🪧Program Description:

The Garthwait Leadership Center’s Outdoor Leadership Program (OLP) is designed to teach and engage 8-10 selected participants the fundamental principles of outdoor leadership throughout the Fall 2025 semester. The OLP is an optional additional component of the Group Facilitation Fellowship (GFF) for those interested in developing technical outdoor skills, further exploring leadership philosophy, and practicing ethical outdoor recreation. No experience required, just a readiness to learn and lead!

🎓Learning Goals:

• Basic Understanding of…
  • Leadership Philosophy: delve into your leadership style, learn about and practice theories related to ethical, inclusive, empowering, and collaborative leadership
  • The Value of Reflection: participate in and develop facilitation skills of inter- and intra-personal reflections based on mindfulness, integrity, self-awareness, collaboration, impact, and transformational action
  • Outdoor Trip Planning: choosing a route, meal planning, medical kit preparation, risk management practices, all the behind the scenes
• Technical Skill Development in…
  • Backcountry Cooking: camp stove use, safe camp kitchen set-up, food protection
  • Knot-Tying: learn to tie and apply knots commonly used in backpacking
  • Shelter Set-Up: picking a tent site, setting up tents and tarps
  • Water Treatment: choosing, filtering, and sterilizing outdoor water sources for safe consumption
  • Navigation: reading maps, using a compass, shooting a bearing
  • Thermoregulation: understanding how to use diet, clothing, and movement to manage body temperature in various weather conditions
  • Health & Sanitation: maintaining hygiene on trips with food safety, bathrooming, and menstrual processes outdoors
  • Pack Fitting & Packing: backpack adjustments, packing personal and group gear that is accessible, balanced, and compact
  • Belaying + Basic Climbing Management: PBUS, climbing technique, equipment maintenance
  • Leave No Trace: modeling ethical and responsible outdoor recreation habits

💼 Engagement:

Participants are expected to attend (in addition to all GFF sessions):

• 4 skill development sessions
• 1 optional introduction to wilderness medicine session
• 1 introduction to orienteering event at King’s Gap Environmental Education Center
• 1 Introduction to Climbing Event at the Jaegar Center
• 1 multi-day backpacking trip over Fall Break

🗂️Expectations:

Our expectation is that you are following the guidelines set in place for you in the Group Facilitation Fellowship. If you are unsure what those are, please look here.

Communication:

• Participants should respond within 24 hours of receiving an email during the work week (Monday-Friday) for scheduling/correspondence.

Attendance:

• Share any date conflicts prior to being accepted to the Outdoor Leadership Program.
• Participants must attend ALL sessions.
• In the case of serious illness, family emergency you must send an email to [email protected] at least an hour prior to the event. You are limited to one make up session at the discretion of the facilitation team.
• For the GFF: If you miss any sessions and do not have an excused absence, you may choose to continue in the program but will not receive the fellowship award.

‼️Failure to foster and participate in an inclusive and supportive learning environment may result in dismissal from the program.