Leadership Training

Outing Club trips are led by students that complete Leadership Training. A full-time professional staff, consisting of the Club's Director, Associate Director, and Assistant Director, guides the students through their training. Leadership Training (LT) requires more than 350 hours of lecture, demonstration, and fieldwork. While in the field students practice situational leadership and learn from feedback they receive from their peers. Through this first-hand experience students practice different leadership styles, acquire knowledge of group dynamics, and learn and demonstrate the risk management required to lead people as safely as possible in the field. Additionally, prospective leaders learn and must demonstrate proficiency in map and compass navigation; trip planning and logistics (food, gear, emergency preparedness, transportation); gear use, maintenance and repair; cooking; natural history; and low-impact camping techniques. Students also devote eight full days to training with instructors from Wilderness Medical Associates to achieve certification as Wilderness First Responders (WFR). This course include classroom, practical and field experience. The LT program culminates in a five- to seven-day wilderness expedition. Only after successful completion of Leadership Training can a student lead a trip for the Bowdoin Outing Club.

Students apply for Leadership Training and interview with the BOC staff for a spot in the program. 16-20 students are accepted each semester. All of our leadership trainings prepare students to lead backpacking and canoeing trips for the Outing Club. There is no outdoor experience necessary to participate in any of our leadership training programs.

Additionally, the BOC staff selects veteran student leaders of the BOC to participate in Leader Instructor Training during their junior and senior years at Bowdoin. In this program the BOC staff work with individuals to develop their teaching and instruction skills and promote opportunities for them to instruct. LIT students teach parts of LT both in the classroom and in the field and receive immediate feedback on their teaching throughout the program.

Once a student has completed Leadership Training they can lead trips for the outing club during the school year and are invited to lead Orientation Trips for incoming Bowdoin students. For students who are accepted as BOC Orientation Trip Leaders and have not yet completed LT, the Outing Club provides a five day orientation trip leader training in May.