Training Descriptions

Trip Leading 101 – In this session, you’ll get hands-on practice with group management and learn how to bring energy to a group so everyone feels welcome and connected. We’ll talk about ways to build community, keep participants engaged, and make sure everyone has a positive experience. You’ll also get a look at the behind-the-scenes work that goes into running safe, successful trips.

Trip Leading 102 – This session is about building confidence as a trip leader. We’ll talk about risk management in a down-to-earth way, focusing on how to notice things before they become problems and keep your group safe without overthinking it. You’ll also learn how to put together an easy, tasty meal plan that works on the trail. To wrap things up, we’ll look at post-trip debriefs, why they matter, and how they can make each trip even better than the last.

Skills Courses – Trip Leaders specialize in one of four main activity areas: whitewater kayaking, rock climbing, backpacking, or canoeing. Skills Courses provide the foundational training in these areas, giving participants the technical knowledge and hands-on experience needed to prepare for leading trips.

Leadership Trip – This training trip covers necessary skills and competencies to become an OP Assistant Trip Leader as well as introduce new hires to skills. Skills covered include: trip planning & pack-out, front country and backcountry cooking, risk management, group dynamics, etc.

Wilderness First Aid (WFA) – is a two-day course that teaches essential skills for responding to medical emergencies in remote settings. Participants learn how to assess patients, manage common outdoor injuries and illnesses, and make decisions when professional help may be delayed.