Wilderness Instructor’s Course

Wilderness Instructor Course


The Wilderness Instructors Course is designed to prepare outdoor leaders with the necessary tools to lead courses and expeditions in technical and non-technical terrain. This course is used to train instructors in all aspects of outdoor leadership that will be required as a Summit Adventure instructor. The course is also open to individuals who are seeking professional development to transfer to other programs in the industry. Whether instructing for Summit Adventure or for another organization, this course will equip future leaders with the skills and knowledge to lead with confidence in backcountry environments.

The course will take place in the southern Yosemite region of the Sierra Nevada. This type of terrain provides a perfect setting to facilitate backcountry leadership skills. The Wilderness Instructors Course curriculum will focus on both technical and non-technical leadership. Technical leadership training will include topics such as: mountain travel, top-rope site management, back-country judgment and decision making, orienteering, and navigation. Non-Technical leadership training topics will include, lesson planning, group dynamics, spiritual leadership, faith based discussion leading, small group facilitation, and communication.

This course will also include an ongoing evaluation process designed to allow the student to set specific goals throughout this time of instruction. The student will receive feedback on their progress during and after their field experience.

GOALS

  1. Develop healthy interpersonal relationships
  2. Create a safe learning environment
  3. Gain proficiency with technical mountain travel systems
  4. Develop faith based facilitation skills
  5. Understand the Summit Adventure / Experiential Education Process
  6. Understand the different roles of facilitation in outdoor leadership
  7. Service based

Enroll

I. TECHNICAL LEADERSHIP

Expedition Planning:
This portion of the course will begin by focusing on expedition planning and preparation. Students will be introduced to Summit’s logistic planning systems. Students will discuss elements of backcountry logistics and how to best prepare a group for an expedition.

Technical leadership, management and facilitation:
This portion will focus on developing skills to allow the student to facilitate experiences in technical environments such as ascending and descending in 3rd, 4th and 5th class terrain. Students will gain competency in site management, hazard evaluation, and technical judgment and decision making.

II. NON TECHNICAL LEADERSHIP SKILLS

The skills of facilitation in small and large groups will be an ongoing focus throughout the Wilderness Instructors Course. Students will receive specific training to develop these skills but will also receive training throughout the course.

  • Facilitation
  • Teaching
  • Service

III. SERVICE

Students will be trained and prepared to plan, facilitate and debrief groups on service based learning. Projects range in activity as well as demographic depending on the need that is available to meet.

IV. FAITH BASED LEARNING

Expedition Judgment & Decision Making:
This portion of the course will be covered as students travel on and off trail through the Sierra Nevada Mountains. This time will be focused on preparing students to assume the leadership role of navigation and mountain travel. Students will gain practical experience as they assume the leadership roles which are required of Summit Adventure instructors. The course will often times conclude with an expedition that the students will execute with newly learned skills and techniques.

Sample Itinerary

The following is an outline of what an Instructor’s Course can include but is subject to the discretion of the instructors.
Day 1:
- Welcome / Summit Orientation
- Course planning discussion: “Meeting the Goals of Your Group”
- Food, supplies, and logistics preparation
- Personal Packing
Day 2:
- Morning devotional and faith based discussion
- Instructor Judgment discussion
- Instructor limits and needs discussion
- Introduction to rock site management
- Ascending techniques and systems
- Descending techniques and systems
- Facilitated discussion
Day 3:
- Morning devotional
- Review of previous day
- Rock site anchor systems
- Anchor building
- Facilitated discussions
Day 4:
- Morning devotional
- Facilitation discussion
- Student practicum
- Student mid-course evaluation
Day 5:
- Morning devotional
- Student mid-course evaluation
- Afternoon service project
- Expedition planning and preparation for next section
Day 6 – 9:
- Morning devotionals
- Backpacking & Mountaineering
Day 10 – 11:
- Student led expedition
Day 12:
- Course end evaluations
- Instructor and peer evaluation
- De-Issuing process