Student Instructors on Summer Wilderness 2021 will co-lead a group of 6-9 incoming 1st Year students on a 21-day expedition to either the Uinta Mountains of Utah. Nine days will be spent on campus and traveling, with 12 days spent backpacking in the Uinta Mountains. In their brigades, 2 student leaders, accompanied by a faculty/staff member, take responsibility for all educational and program outcomes, including teaching outdoor living and travel skills, facilitating classes and group discussions, and overseeing risk management. Student leaders will also oversee a 2 day reintegration and reflection program when back in Richmond.

Qualifications:

– Successful candidates will have significant backcountry experience, including backpacking skills in mountainous terrain, outdoor group leadership, and facilitation skills.

– Required: current Wilderness First Responder Certification (WFR), completion of Outdoor Trip Leadership (OTL), Advanced Field Practicum (AFP) or other comparable experience. WFR can be obtained through Earlham (EDUC 311) offered June 1-9, 2021, or on your own through training organizations such as SOLO, WMA, and WMI. OTL is offered in the Spring Semester (EDUC 221) and has classroom sessions and a field component at the end of May.

– Leaders must be willing and able to travel to the course site with students in a 12 passenger van. Certification to drive an Earlham 12-passenger van is strongly preferred.

Important Program Dates:

Feb. 28, 2021 – Applications Due

March. 3 – 10, 2021 – Interviews

March 12, 2021 – Positions offered

July 12 – 16, 2021 – Summer Wilderness Staff Preparation & Training

July 17 – Aug. 6, 2021 – Summer Wilderness Expedition and Debrief

Please note that there will be training and preparation sessions throughout the Spring Semester (sessions may be available via Zoom if off campus).

Please complete the following for full consideration of your application:

1. A cover letter indicating why you want to lead Summer Wilderness and outlining your key strengths as an instructor.

2. An academic schedule for Spring 2021 including your proposed location for any off-campus study and details of plans/availability for May-July 2021.

3. Submit answers for all survey questions at:

https://earlham.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_elHd9bvNPK1kZxj

4. Provide a detailed outdoor resume (include specific location, type of trip, duration, date, and role on trip).