Backpacking

The first phase of this course is spent both on and off trail in Yosemite National Park and Ansel Adams Wilderness learning the skills necessary to travel in wilderness terrain. Here we will lay the foundation for group travel, gear selection and use, map and compass navigation, cooking and camp stove use, weather/hazard assessment, camp craft, communication skills, and effective teamwork.

In addition to technical skills, Instructors will teach and facilitate the interpersonal skills needed for participants to function effectively as a team, accomplish goals, and tackle new challenges every day. Challenges on course are designed to impel participants to take risks, draw upon inner resources and develop trust in one another. One such challenge might include a peak attempt.  With lighter packs, participants will start before the sun rises to summit a mountain and be rewarded with 360 degree views and an incredible sense of accomplishment.

Mountaineering

During the mountaineering section, participants will build on the backpacking skills learned previously in course.  In addition to teaching more technical skills, the Instructors will focus on honing the group's judgment and decision-making skills. The crew will have the chance to attempt a technical peak during this section.  Mountaineering is distinct from backpacking in that at least one peak attempt will take a steep, exposed route that requires the technical protection of ropes. Additional skills to be covered during this phase are the use of fixed-lines and snow travel, depending on season and temperatures.

Rock Climbing

After the WFR course, the group will move to the desert landscape of Joshua Tree National Park. The section of the course in Joshua Tree will focus specifically on skills associated with technical rock climbing, including knots, anchors, movement over rock, top rope, belaying, use and care of harnesses and other equipment.  An emphasis on climbing site assessment and management will ensure participants go back with sound judgement to implement safe and challenging experiences for youth they instruct. Participants will have ample opportunity to actively improve their personal skills with various types of climbs including bouldering, face climbs, cracks, and possibly a multi-pitch climb.

Final Expedition

Following the climbing section, the group will test all acquired skills on their Final Expedition—a multi-day backpacking section in Joshua Tree. During this expedition, the crew works together to plan their route, gear, food, and logistics, essential skills for any aspiring outdoor educator to effectively navigate through the unique and beautiful rock and yucca filled landscape of Joshua Tree. This section requires competence in communication, teamwork, navigation, and decision making skills.

Bay Area Urban Expedition

Far removed from starry nights and alpine lakes, San Francisco is a bustling city of streetlights and people. This city exposes participants to the juxtaposition of wealth and poverty—back alleys and striking bay views, sprinkled with tourist destinations that attract travelers from across the globe. Continuing ‘expedition style’, participants will carry their gear and travel like locals, taking the bus, walking and ferrying to their nightly abode. With the city as their classroom, participants will focus on developing their cultural competency and ability to work with diverse populations through discussions and service learning opportunities. As an educator this can be just as challenging as climbing high in the mountains, and equally necessary as participants prepare for the practicum and future work in the field of outdoor education.

Bay Area Practicum

Instructor courses are geared towards participants who are looking to pursue a career in education and/or the outdoors. Throughout the entire expedition, Instructors will not only be teaching the ‘what’, but also the ‘why’ and ‘how’ necessary to pass on these skills to future participants. There will be many opportunities for participants to practice their own facilitation skills and receive feedback.

The culminating experience at the end of course will be a practicum, where participants will facilitate a 2-day experience for local youth in an outdoor setting. The practicum will have a strong emphasis on designing and implementing curriculum, teaching basic outdoor skills, and facilitating initiatives and discussions with a group of participants from diverse backgrounds and experience levels. Participants will gain first hand teaching experience as they begin to build cultural competency as experiential educators.

The culminating experience at the end of course will be a practicum, where participants will facilitate a 2-day experience for local youth in an outdoor setting. The practicum will have a strong emphasis on designing and implementing curriculum, teaching basic outdoor skills and facilitating initiatives and discussions with a group of participants from diverse backgrounds and experience levels. Participants will gain first-hand teaching experience as they begin to build cultural competency as experiential educators.

Course Area

Yosemite National Park and the Sierra Nevada Mountain Range are famous for breathtaking views of waterfalls, massive granite domes, and peaceful alpine meadows. Yosemite is home to some of the world’s most treasured landmarks. Places like El Capitan, Half Dome and Glacier Point can be seen on the horizon along with dramatic alpine scenery—peaks rising from the valley to elevations above 12,000 feet.  With fairly stable and beautiful weather, as summer advances, temperatures tend to become more moderate, in the 70s to 80s during the day and 30s to 50s in the evening.

Joshua Tree National Park is famous for its high desert moonscape, where rugged mountains and desert plateaus were sculpted by wind and rain.  Three distinct ecosystems come together to form this land of extremes: the dark, cold, star-filled nights against warm sand and boulder-filled days. Weather in the park is generally dry and rainfall is sparse, though unpredictable, irregular, and sometimes persistent thunderstorms do occur. Temperatures can vary, averaging 50-80 degrees during the day to a cool 30 at night and potentially hitting 100 early or late in the season.

The urban portion of the course will take participants on a tour of San Francisco landmarks like Chinatown, Golden Gate Bridge, Pier 39, the Mission District, Baker Beach, and Market Street.  Participants will camp in local parks and with unique partner agencies across the city.  San Francisco offers rich histories, diverse cultural traditions and foods, and an abundance of initiative opportunities.  Though a dramatic change from the mountains and desert, participants will find inspiration and new perspectives in this bustling, beautiful city.