Outdoor Pursuits (ODP) - Volunteer Trip Leader Description
The position as an Outdoor Pursuits Leader will provide you with great personal and professional growth, as well as offer the opportunity to be a positive
influence in other people’s lives. With that being said, please read below and be aware of the expectations this position holds.
Purpose:
Work within a team of student leaders to provide a fun, positive, safe and ecologically sound experience for trip participants.
Duties and Responsibilities:
Retreats/Trainings (mandatory)
Attend the Intro to Trip Leading from May 19-22nd. This will be part of your interview, as well as introducing you to how our trips run and
the skills needed to do so. If invited to be a trip leader for us, you must attend an initial leader retreat on the dates of August 6th-11th, 2015. This
retreat will allow us to assess and develop the skills necessary for your outdoor leadership experience with ODP. It will take place in CA and
include any gear rentals needed from the ORC.
Certifications
You will be required to obtain your CPR & AED certification. An opportunity will be available to receive this through the Recreation Center.
Please note if you are not available when we offer the certification the financial responsibility falls onto you.
You will be required to obtain your Wilderness First Aid certification in September. An opportunity will be available at no cost to you through
Outdoor Pursuits. If you are not available on the weekend of the certification the financial responsibility falls onto you.
Potlucks (mandatory)
The heart of Outdoor Pursuits is staff attendance to a monthly potluck dinner. These are consistently on the last Wednesday of the month
(roughly 7-8:30 pm) and give the group an opportunity to gather as a community, eat good food and receive program updates, as well as meet
with your program for a monthly meeting.
Workshop/Trainings (mandatory)
There may be mandatory workshops and training. These are put forth for ODP leader professional development. You may have the
opportunity to present.
Trip Preparation, Meetings (volunteer time + credit)
Follow established trip flow policies
Plan and fully prepare your designated trips (in addition to what the coordinators have booked/planned)
Required to attend a scheduled pre-pre meeting and post-trip meeting with your trip coordinator, as well as a check in meeting with the Outdoor
Recreation Coordinator for each trip lead
Required to contact your participants to verify your pre-trip meeting
Conduct a thorough pre-trip meeting
Expected to be available for and lead all assigned trips
Complete and turn in all of your trip paperwork by the designated time
Marketing & Advertising
You are expected to advertise your trips, if they don’t sell the minimum number of spots designated, they do not go out.
Each week you are expected to commit at least two hours to ODP marketing.
Trips
Facilitate outdoor recreation and education experiences that are safe, fun and transferable
Outdoor activity instruction such as cooking, hiking, backpacking, rock climbing, kayaking, cycling, etc.
Drive a 12-passenger van according to best practices and state law
Proactive risk management including prevention, supervision, intervention and emergency response
Facilitate participant reflection and assist in gathering assessment data post-trip
Work with the outdoor resource center to procure necessary gear for trip and participants
Required Qualifications:
Current Sonoma State University student
Passionate about the outdoors and the ability to share your passion through teaching
Reliable, self-motivated, and able to make decisions based on ODP training
Approachable and amiable, with good communication skills
Organized with attention to detail
Compensation:
Trip leader activities including trip prep, pre-trip meetings, activity time in field, and cleanup are done on a volunteer basis
As stated above, Wilderness First Aid certification, and select professional development opportunities such as conferences, certifications and
workshops are available at reduced or no cost
SSU Outdoor Resource Center rental fees are waived for trip leaders pursuing additional position related experience
Pro deals to obtain personal equipment related to the position are available through some Outdoor Resource Center vendors
Time Expectation:
An ODP Leader can expect to put in a minimum of 4-8 hours of planning towards each trip as well as the trip itself. Leaders can expect to lead 1
to 2 trips each month, or 2-4 a semester. All leaders must attend meetings, potlucks, and workshops. The time commitment of an ODP Leader
will ebb and flow during the year, depending on your trip schedule.
Return Complete Applications to
Glacier Bay Offices 5 pm,
April 17th
Incomplete & late applications will not be
considered
Trip Leader Application
Fall 2015
Name:
SSU Email:
Phone #:
SSU ID #:
Birthdate:
Expected graduation date:
Year in school:
Are you available for the Intro to Trip Leading May 19th-22nd, 2015? ________________
Are you available for Trip Leader Training August 6th - 11th? ________________
Please respond to the following on a separate typed sheet:

Describe your outdoor experience/background

Describe your skills and experience in the following activities

o Hiking
o Stand Up Paddle boarding
o Camping
o Cycling
o Backpacking
o Rock Climbing
o Kayaking
o Other
Describe your outdoor leadership abilities and experience:
o Have you had any outdoor teaching experience? Instructor/leadership experience?

What qualities do you possess that would make you a successful outdoor leader?

Define what sustainability means to you. How do you apply it in your every day life?

What is your experience with SSU Outdoor Pursuits? How many of our trips have you been on?

What if any certifications do you hold? When do they expire?

Please add any additional information you feel would be pertinent to share?
Please include a resume and a trip log (attached).
Return complete applications to Rebekah & McKella’s box in Glacier Bay in the Rec Center.
Due by April 17th