Instructors:

Phil Royce, Director - x5376
Sarah Councell, Associate - x5377
Director Steve Alexander, Assistant Director - x5018

Course Description: The Outdoor Leadership Experience (OLE) is an intensive, semester-long course that will train participants to teach outdoor and leadership skills. With the nearby mountains and rivers of the Adirondacks as their classroom, students focus on furthering backcountry and outdoor skills and teaching. As a participant in the OLE, you can expect a high quality of training from professionals in leadership, group dynamics, decision-making, risk management, backcountry travel, winter camping, teaching techniques, Leave No Trace camping techniques, and wilderness medicine (WFR).
The course is the foundation for training Outdoor Program student staff, known as Hadwen Guides. Hadwen Guides are paid student staff who work for the OP in a wide array of jobs, including backcountry trip leaders, teaching assistants, facilities staff, and skills instructors for the rock, ice, paddling, and ski programs.
OLE Participants should have motivation, leadership skills, good physical ability, fundamental backcountry skills, and experience in one or more "Specialized Skills." Specialized Skills include backcountry skiing, mountaineering, whitewater kayaking, whitewater canoeing, rock climbing, and canoe tripping. You can easily gain experience to be qualified for OLE through Outdoor Program Courses offered throughout the year. Please see current Calendar for Course offerings.

Core Curriculum

Student Expectations: Participants in the GTP can expect professional training in all aspects of the program. Participants demonstrating a high level of commitment can expect to gain competence in the skill areas and successfully complete the program. These participants will be invited to work for the Outdoor Program.

Outdoor Program Expectations: The OP expects students to show a high level of initiative during the GTP. In addition, students will be expected to demonstrate competency in four categories: Backcountry Skills, Leadership Skills, Specialized Hard Skills, and Wilderness Medicine. The OP also expects students who successfully complete the GTP to work for the OP in an appropriate capacity that balances school work, sports, extracurricular activities and life. Students can be asked to leave the course at any time due to poor attendance or performance.

Cost: $675*, Covers all costs of the course, including WFR.
* If you have your WFR, the cost of the course will be $375.