1. OU T DOOR LEADE RSHIP CLASS
& OU T DOOR INST RUCTOR
T RAINING
2.
3. TABLE OF CONT ENTS
UTOP Mission & Vision 3
Philosophy 4
Outdoor Leadership Class 5
S.O.L.E. 6
F.A.Q.’s 7
Scholarship & Endowment 8
Trip Instructor Process 9
Professional Certifications 17
How Do I Get Involved 18
Additional Programs & Services 19
4. The UTOP mission is to provide the university
community with outdoor adventure, recreation and
education. Programs will be inclusive to people of all
backgrounds and abilities and will contribute to the
holistic well-being and academic experience of the
university.
The UTOP staff has identified values we feel are
worth-while to pursue and share. These values form
the basis of how we approach our programming, our
interactions with others and ourselves. We strive to
pursue these values with excellence, professionalism
and always while having fun. Values include:
~ Safety and Health ~ Skills Acquisition
~ Community ~ Leadership
~ Environmental Stewardship
~ Personal Growth and Well-being
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5. O u r P h i l o s op hy
Current studies have shown that educational and developmental outcomes
are essential components of higher education. We utilize an experiential
based learning atmosphere that offers intentional, purposeful and directed
learning outcomes. These experiences will be enhanced by your goals &
commitment level.
Experiential Learning
A philosophy & methodology in which educators purposefully
engage the learners in direct experience & focused reflection in
order to increase knowledge, develop skills & clarify values.
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6. This 2 credit class is offered each fall & is
open to anyone interested in outdoor
leadership development. It is also the beginning
process for those interested in working as a
Trip Leader with UTOP. Our teaching and
learning style is based on the theories of
adventure leadership & experiential education.
This process begins with an outdoor leadership
curriculum based on proven theory, foundational
technical skills and transferrable leadership
education. This is then refined by real
experience and honed by continued training &
mentorship.
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8. Q: Are there additional fees associated with the Outdoor Leadership course?
A: Yes, the course includes 3 off campus adventure trips which are cost
shared & are all inclusive (food, camping, transportation, equipment, etc.).
There is also a fee associated with each certification offered (LNT &
W.F.R. ~ not required if not seeking to be a UTOP Instructor).
Q: Are only students who are interested in becoming Instructors for the
Outdoor Program allowed to take the Outdoor Leadership class?
A: No, the class is also open to anyone interested in outdoor, experiential
and adventure based leadership.
Q: Do I have to have any experience to get involved?
A: No, but previous outdoor and/or teaching experience will be helpful in the
Instructor selection/hiring process.
Q: What if I already have experience or a certification?
A: Some students can opt to bypass this class, but they will have to
demonstrate significant outdoor technical and teaching experience. If a
certification is current, you would not be expected to obtain a new one.
Q: Where do I register for the Outdoor Leadership class?
A: The class is a part of the Kinesiology department. However, you must
have permission from the instructor to sign up. After interviews, names
will be sent to the department to add students to the class.
Q: Where can I get more information?
A: More information can be obtained by visiting the UTOP Outdoor Center
located on the bottom floor of TRECS.
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9. Scholarship & Endowment Funds
This scholarship was developed in honor
of one of S.O.L.E.’s true outdoor
ROBERT MOSS
leaders as a lasting tribute to the
enthusiasm & passion Robert displayed MEMORIAL
for outdoor education. This scholarship SCHOLARSHIP
is available to one student every year
and will fund all aspects of the
Outdoor Leadership Course & required
certifications.
ENDOWMENT FUND
The RecSports Endowment funds are intended
to support the department & its students
through a variety of stipends, scholarships &
grants that can be utilized for professional
development programs such as conferences,
trainings and certifications.
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10. Do not try to satisfy your vanity by teaching a great many
things. Awaken people’s curiosity. It is enough to open
minds, do not overload them. Put there just a spark. If
there is some good flammable stuff, it will catch fire.
- Anatole France
The S.O.L.E.
Trip Instructor
Process
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12. Responsibilities
Competencies
•Techni Proficiency to program relevant activities
good judgment & decision making skills
•Maturity, responsibility & integrity
Safety consciousness
•Proffessional
•Teaching ability
•Effective communication skills
•Ability to create a positive program atmosphere
•Organizational skills
•Flexible leadership style
•Appropriate facilitation skills
•Group management skills
•Servant leadership
•Commitment to program excellence
•Commitment to student-centered program
•Knowledge of & ability to implement UTOP
Apprentice
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13. Responsibilities
o Technical Proficiency in program relevant activities
o Good judgment & decision making skills
o Maturity, responsibility & integrity
o Safety consciousness
o Professional
o Teaching ability
o Effective communication skills
o Ability to create a positive program atmosphere
o Organizational skills
o Flexible leadership style
o Appropriate facilitation skills
o Group management skills
o Servant leadership
o Commitment to program excellence
o Commitment to student-centered programming
o Knowledge of & ability to implement UTOP philosophy
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14. Competencies
Completing core competencies are the steps to be taken to
increase one’s role in the Outdoor Leadership process. These are
minimum standard checklists, including both hard and soft skills,
that must be met and are included in the following areas:
General Trip Leading, Climbing, Whitewater and Cycling. As
these are completed leaders will progress through the cycle of
Apprentice, Assistant Instructor & finally Instructor.
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15. Apprentice
o The title for those in the
initial training stage
o Class is focused on the
outdoor educator’s role
o Long term interview for
the S.O.L.E. staff positions
o Medical & LNT certifications
o S.L.O.P. Trip
o Will begin technical track
trainings
Assistant
o Work in a supporting role
on UTOP trips
o Self-motivated skills
acquisition
o Mentored by Pro-staff &
Instructors
o Teach Activity class to
new S.O.L.E. staff
o Engage in mutual
evaluations
o Service project
Instructor
o Help with O.L. Class
o Solid technical & soft skills
o Understanding of personal
leadership style and able to
effectively work with other
diverse styles
o Plan, organize, implement
and manage trips according
to UTOP standards & values
o Less grunt work, more
mentoring and planning
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16. 1st Year
Fall Winter
° O.L. Class ° S.O.L.E. Final Trip
° S.L.O.P. Trip ° Class Debrief
° E.M.R.-W/W.F.R. ° Eval & Plan
° LNT ° Apprenticeship
° Activity specific ° Activity class
Instructor ° Technical Track
Training Training
° Trip Assistant ° Trip mentoring
Summer Spring
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17. 2nd Year
Fall Winter
° Help with S.O.L.E.
° Trip Assistant
trip
° Competencies
° Eat turkey/
° Trip Journal
tofurkey
° Instructor ° Teach new S.O.L.E.
° Mentoring staff tech skills
° Aid in activity ° Instructor
specific training Competencies
Summer Spring
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19. How Do I Get Involved?
1. Stop by the Outdoor Center for more information to
help you decide if this is an opportunity you wish to
pursue.
2. Complete a S.O.L.E. Application if interested in the
UTOP Trip Instructor program or meet with the Outdoor
Director if interested in just taking the Outdoor
Leadership class.
3. 1st interview will be with current S.O.L.E. staff during
the final weeks of the Spring semester.
4. 2nd interview with Administrative staff, also in the
Spring.
5. Final selection process. If chosen you will be contacted.
6. Director will add students to the Outdoor Leadership
class for the fall semester.
7. Class will begin in the fall. At this point no one is
officially a UTOP employee.
8. The class will serve as a long term interview
process, with regular feedback to better
prepare applicants and to give a clear idea
of their progress and possible outcomes.
9. Staff positions will be offered and the
final fall component (7 day backcountry
trip after the fall semester ends) will
begin for this group.
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21. UTOPIA (OUTDOOR CENTER)
The place to sign up for trips,
rent equipment or plan your
adventure. This is also where we
meet for outdoor classes & clinics.
The OC is located on the bottom
floor of TRECS, in room 20.
Bike Shop
Located in the Outdoor Center. This full
service bike shop offers tools and bike
stands for do it yourselfers. We also have
bike mechanics available to teach & help
with your bike maintenance or you can just
leave your bike and we can fix it for you.
Vol Wall Climbing Gym
Bouldering, toprope climbing, skills clinics,
training & competitions are available for
students & staff of the university. The Vol
Wall is located in the HPER Bldg. room 202-B
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