OUTDOOR LEADERS PROGRAM
The Outdoor LEADERS Program is a program for teens and young adults to explore the professional world of outdoor recreation and environmental advocacy. Aimed at increasing access and removing barriers to explore the outdoors, our 8–month course will feature monthly in–person training workshops to help participants build outdoor industry work readiness skills and change the way we look at nature and how we enjoy it. Participants will have the opportunity to earn Wilderness First Aid certification, pursue individual focuses, and creatively enact a vision for the future of the outdoor community. Students will embrace challenges, overcome obstacles, and come together as a team in a journey of development and skill acquisition.
Earth Team and Big City Mountaineers have been partnering for over two years now offering outdoor trip experiences for youth in Earth Team’s Sustainable Youth Internship program. Now in its second year, we are excited to continue to grow the LEADERS Program and equip a new generation of students with the skills and confidence to thrive in the outdoors.
Application Deadline: Wednesday, November 15, 2023 at 11:59 PM
Before applying, please review the requirements.
Contact OLP Program Coordinator, Noah Slager at noah@earthteam.net if you have any questions.
Requirements
● Commitment to complete this 6–month program is mandatory. This includes attendance at monthly weekend workshops, an overnight trip, and a multi–day backpacking expedition (please note: prior outdoor experience is not required and all gear will be provided).
● Agreement to shadow BCM instructors and lead youth on a day hike, overnight trip, or multi–day backpacking expedition with partner youth organizations.
● Strong desire to build outdoor industry skills and gain useful knowledge for a possible career in Outdoor Education.
Compensation
Participants will receive a stipend amount of $400 for completing all workshops and $400 for attending the trip series, for a total of $800. Previous BCM trip participants are strongly encouraged to apply.
Contact info
If you have questions please contact OLP Program Coordinator, Noah Slager at noah@earthteam.net
Want to learn more about the program? Please sign up for a virtual information session hosted by Earth Team and Big City Mountaineers staff.
Info Session Dates Coming Soon
Virtual info sessions
Schedule
Monthly in–person workshops are scheduled for the third weekend of each month starting in February 2023 and ending in August 2023.
Access
Students will see themselves represented in the outdoor industry. Earth Team and BCM staff will work with students to make connections in the fields that interest them, including pursuing opportunities for mentorships and internships.
Personal Connections to the outdoors
Students will experience outdoor spaces and activities in a way that allows them to integrate them into their daily life in the future. A deeper and more meaningful understanding of the work and role of people in creating these places.
A new vision for the outdoor industry
Students feel that they have the power to make a difference and that their voices will be valued however they choose to use them.
Outdoor TRips
Check out previous outdoor trips
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Our partners
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