Employment with the Outdoor Education Center

Outdoor Leadership Series
REQUIRED FOR ALL APPLICANTS
FEE - $60

Carolina Outdoor Education Center’s Outdoor Leadership Series consists of nine workshops designed to give participants a working knowledge of the philosophical concepts and technical aspects associated with experiential education. Upon completion of the series, participants will receive a Certificate of Completion and be eligible to apply to become Apprentices. The Apprenticeship gives new staff the opportunity to experiment with the Facilitator/Instructor role, without being primarily responsible for the program. Once Apprentices are comfortable and have demonstrated a minimum level of competency, they become paid Assistant staff and receive a full refund for their $60 Outdoor Leadership Series fee.  

            Assistants assist in all aspects of leading a program and actively work to develop their judgment. Once Assistants are ready, they move up to Leads. Leads are directly responsible for the quality and safety of an expedition or challenge course. In addition to leading the program itself, Lead Instructors are responsible for in-the-field training of Apprentices and Assistant Instructors. In order to make it to the level of Lead Instructor, it is important that new staff are able to commit at least two years to the program.

Workshop

Participant Experience Date TBA

Experience a full day on the challenge course. Trainees will be led through team building activities on the low elements in the morning and experience the excitement of the high elements in the afternoon. This will provide a helpful insight and a first hand experience upon which to build during the rest of the training.

Experiential Leadership I   Date TBA

What is “experiential education”? How can we create an environment for experiential learning to take place? This interactive workshop discusses key philosophers and foundational concepts of experiential education and gives leaders the tools to frame an experience, monitor the group during the experience and effectively transfer the learning back into everyday life.

Safety Management   Date TBA

This exciting workshop features real life scenarios and critical thinking exercises designed to familiarize you with the causes of accidents and how effective pre-planning can prevent them.

Challenge Course High Elements   Date TBA

During this training you will be taught the fundamentals of high course facilitation including set-up, operation, basic maintenance and technical skills required for safe and effective operation of the COEC challenge course. Specific technical skills you will learn include belaying, knot tying, equipment inspection and spotting.

Experiential Leadership II   Date TBA

Why do some groups function at a high level while others seem to struggle just to get along? This workshop will help you identify and develop your personal leadership style, understand groups in order to maximize your effectiveness as a leader and use conflict as a powerful tool for group development.

Packs, Shelters & Knots   Date TBA

This workshop is designed to empower participants with the technical knowledge to properly fit, pack and adjust internal frame backpacks, as well as, the knots and associated safety considerations for assembling tarps and tents. 

Map & Compass Workshop   Date TBA

This daytrip will teach participants to read the land and navigate using compass bearing and contour maps rather than relying on signs or trails. 

Facilitation of Adventure Activities   Date TBA

This workshop will give you the opportunity to learn and practice ice-breakers, games, initiatives, trust activities and low element facilitation techniques. This is your opportunity to expand your understanding of experiential education and to explore the concepts of challenge by choice, activity sequencing, processing and debriefing an experience. Trainees will have the opportunity to both lead and be led throughout the training. Experiencing both roles will provide valuable insight for when you are leading other participants.

Backcountry Cooking   Date TBA

Most backcountry injuries occur in the kitchen. This workshop focuses on kitchen safety while demonstrating how to turn basic ingredients into memorable backcountry feasts using a variety of cooking methods.    

 Other important aspects of instructing include…

Staff Expedition – Spring Break Date TBA

This trip serves as an essential staff bonding experience for those who go on to work with the Expedition Program. This trip also allows us to hone our skills going into the busy summer and familiarize everyone with the course area we will be using for the coming summer’s WAFFYS trips.

First Aid

Instructors are responsible for maintaining their first-aid certifications by attending courses that fit their schedule. Challenge Course Facilitators and Assistant Expedition Instructors are required to have Standard First-Aid & CPR and Lead Expedition Instructors are required to have their Wilderness First Responder (72 hours). Instructors are reimbursed for half of their tuition for first aid courses. 

In service training

During the school year additional staff trainings are conducted to address specific technical skills including rock climbing, sea kayaking and emergency response. Expedition Instructors have a five mile staff run once a semester to maintain physical fitness. In addition to trainings, staff are expected to invest personal time in developing the skills associated with leading our expeditions.