Gain outdoor skills, along with leadership and teaching experience - and the confidence that comes from leading others in the outdoors. Apply for the Outdoor Education staff training program.
About the Training Process
The full training experience is nine months of experiential lessons, weekly classes, trips, and apprenticeships that bring you together with other highly engaged and diverse first-years and sophomores. Students who complete the training program are eligible to be hired as Outdoor Education student-staff to teach physical education classes and backyard adventures, lead Wilderness Adventure trips, and provide team building opportunities for the Colgate community.
In addition to weekly classes, you will participate in numerous weekend trips to the Adirondacks and other destinations to strengthen technical skills, learn about risk assessment and management, promote a passion for the natural world, and to develop teaching and leadership skills.
Previous Outdoor Experience Is Not Required
No previous outdoor experience is necessary to be a successful applicant as you will learn everything you need to know to be an excellent OE leader from the training program. Rather, successful applicants will:
- Have a sincere interest in teaching and leading their peers
- Possess a positive attitude, even in sometimes challenging situations
- Demonstrate a commitment to all aspects of the training program and to working for Outdoor Education after training
- Bring a diverse set of experiences, backgrounds, and identities to the group and the larger Outdoor Education community
- Appreciate and respect the natural and cultural history of the lands on which we travel and recreate
See this informational sheet for more details on the structure and costs associated with the program:
Review the linked calendar for all training program dates and classes:
See What Training Looks Like
All images are from Outdoor Education staff training and other programs.