Student Pages

From WildWiki

What can I do in the Wilderness Program?

There are a variety of ways to get involved. The first way is to be a "core" student. These are students with serious and significant interest in the fields of outdoor, environmental, or adventure education. As a "core" student, you would take courses and go on trips with the Wilderness program that develop your knowledge, skills, and abilities as an emerging outdoor leader. You can also complete the coursework required for the Outdoor Education minor. Core students also have the opportunity to propose and lead "open enrollment" courses through the Wilderness Program such as Fall Break Backpacking, Caving, or other AWPE-based courses.

The second way is through our work-study positions. Each year, we hire several students to work with the program as climbing wall staff, outdoor education center managers, and office assistants. Applications for these positions are available in our offices on the third floor of the LBC.

A third way is to be an "on-call" facilitator for our Challenge Education and Climbing Wall programs. Occasionally, we will do programs for community groups where we need additional facilitators to run either climbing programs or high and low ropes course programs. To be an on-call facilitator, you will need to have completed the necessary training by taking either Intro to Experiential Education or Indoor Gym Climbing.

A fourth and final way to be involved in the Wilderness Program is to apply to be summer staff. Summer staff help lead our pre-orientation experiences for first years such as June and August Wilderness and also complete other program special projects during the summer months while not on course. Applications for summer staff typically are available in late Fall/early Spring.

For more information regarding employment opportunities, please visit the Position Description page. The section regarding program area descriptions will provide a brief overview of areas within which students can work.

How do I propose an open enrollment course?

Core students may propose open enrollment courses as a capstone experience or to further develop their leadership and outdoor education skill sets. First, be sure you [qualify] for proposing a course. Then, follow the steps below.

Step 1. Complete a Course Proposal form

Step 2. Turn-in proposal and meet with program faculty

Step 3. If approved, you will need to complete a Trip Logistics Form and have additional follow-up meetings with program faculty in advance of your course

Step 4. Course is listed on WebDB as a Wilderness AWPE course and you are off and running!