OUTDOOR LEADERSHIP CLASS & OUTDOOR INSTRUCTOR

TRAINING

UTOP Mission & Vision

Philosophy

Outdoor Leadership Class

S.O.L.E.

F.A.Q.’s

Scholarship & Endowment

Trip Instructor Process

Professional Certifications

How Do I Get Involved

Additional Programs & Services

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

The UTOP mission is to provide the university

community with outdoor adventure, recreation and

education. Programs will be inclusive to people of all

backgrounds and abilities and will contribute to the

holistic well-being and academic experience of the

university.

The UTOP staff has identified values we feel are

worth-while to pursue and share. These values form

the basis of how we approach our programming, our

interactions with others and ourselves. We strive to

pursue these values with excellence, professionalism

and always while having fun. Values include:

~ Safety and Health ~ Skills Acquisition

~ Community ~ Leadership

~ Environmental Stewardship

~ Personal Growth and Well-being

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Current studies have shown that educational and developmental outcomes

are essential components of higher education. We utilize an experiential

based learning atmosphere that offers intentional, purposeful and directed

learning outcomes. These experiences will be enhanced by your goals &

commitment level.

Our Philosophy

Experiential Learning A philosophy & methodology in which educators purposefully

engage the learners in direct experience & focused reflection in

order to increase knowledge, develop skills & clarify values.

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This 2 credit class is offered each fall & is

open to anyone interested in outdoor

leadership development. It is also the beginning

process for those interested in working as a

Trip Leader with UTOP. Our teaching and

learning style is based on the theories of

adventure leadership & experiential education.

This process begins with an outdoor leadership

curriculum based on proven theory, foundational

technical skills and transferrable leadership

education. This is then refined by real

experience and honed by continued training &

mentorship.

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Q: Are there additional fees associated with the Outdoor

Leadership course?

A: Yes, the course includes 3 off campus adventure trips which are cost

shared & are all inclusive (food, camping, transportation, equipment, etc.).

There is also a fee associated with each certification offered (LNT &

W.F.R. ~ not required if not seeking to be a UTOP Instructor).

Q: Are only students who are interested in becoming Instructors for the

Outdoor Program allowed to take the Outdoor Leadership class?

A: No, the class is also open to anyone interested in outdoor, experiential

and adventure based leadership.

Q: Do I have to have any experience to get involved?

A: No, but previous outdoor and/or teaching experience will be helpful in the

Instructor selection/hiring process.

Q: What if I already have experience or a certification?

A: Some students can opt to bypass this class, but they will have to

demonstrate significant outdoor technical and teaching experience. If a

certification is current, you would not be expected to obtain a new one.

Q: Where do I register for the Outdoor Leadership class?

A: The class is a part of the Kinesiology department. However, you must

have permission from the instructor to sign up. After interviews, names

will be sent to the department to add students to the class.

Q: Where can I get more information?

A: More information can be obtained by visiting the UTOP Outdoor Center

located on the bottom floor of TRECS.

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The RecSports Endowment funds are intended

to support the department & its students

through a variety of stipends, scholarships &

grants that can be utilized for professional

development programs such as conferences,

trainings and certifications.

ENDOWMENT FUND

ROBERT MOSS

MEMORIAL

SCHOLARSHIP

Scholarship & Endowment Funds

This scholarship was developed in honor

of one of S.O.L.E.’s true outdoor

leaders as a lasting tribute to the

enthusiasm & passion Robert displayed

for outdoor education. This scholarship

is available to one student every year

and will fund all aspects of the

Outdoor Leadership Course & required

certifications.

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The S.O.L.E.

Trip Instructor

Process

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Do not try to satisfy your vanity by teaching a great many things. Awaken people’s curiosity. It is enough to open minds, do not overload them. Put there just a spark. If there is some good flammable stuff, it will catch fire.

- Anatole France

RecSports UTOP

S.O.L.E

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Student Outdoor Leadership Education

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Competencies Responsibilities

Apprentice

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•Techni Proficiency to program relevant activities good judgment & decision making skills •Maturity, responsibility & integrity Safety consciousness •Proffessional •Teaching ability •Effective communication skills •Ability to create a positive program atmosphere •Organizational skills •Flexible leadership style •Appropriate facilitation skills •Group management skills •Servant leadership •Commitment to program excellence •Commitment to student-centered program •Knowledge of & ability to implement UTOP

Responsibilities o Technical Prof ic iency in program re levant activit ies o Good judgment & decis ion making ski l l s o Maturity, responsib i l ity & integrity o Safety consc iousness o Profess ional o Teaching abi l ity o Effective communication ski l l s o Abi l ity to create a posit ive program atmosphere o Organizational ski l l s o F lex ib le leadership style o Appropriate fac i l itation ski l l s o Group management ski l l s o Servant leadership o Commitment to program exce l lence o Commitment to student-centered programming o Knowledge of & abi l ity to implement UTOP phi losophy

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Competencies

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Completing core competencies are the steps to be taken to

increase one’s role in the Outdoor Leadership process. These are

minimum standard checklists, including both hard and soft skills,

that must be met and are included in the following areas:

General Trip Leading, Climbing, Whitewater and Cycling. As

these are completed leaders will progress through the cycle of

Apprentice, Assistant Instructor & finally Instructor.

Apprentice o The title for those in the initial training stage o Class is focused on the outdoor educator’s role o Long term interview for the S.O.L.E. staff positions o Medical & LNT certifications o S.L.O.P. Trip o Will begin technical track trainings

Assistant o Work in a supporting role on UTOP trips o Self-motivated skills acquisition o Mentored by Pro-staff & Instructors o Teach Activity class to new S.O.L.E. staff o Engage in mutual evaluations o Service project Instructor

o Help with O.L. Class o Solid technical & soft skills o Understanding of personal leadership style and able to effectively work with other diverse styles o Plan, organize, implement and manage trips according to UTOP standards & values o Less grunt work, more mentoring and planning

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° O.L. Class ° S.L.O.P. Trip ° E.M.R.-W/W.F.R. ° LNT

° S.O.L.E. Final Trip ° Class Debrief ° Eval & Plan ° Apprenticeship

° Activity class ° Technical Track Training ° Trip mentoring

° Activity specific Instructor Training ° Trip Assistant

Fall Winter

Summer Spring

1st Year

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° Trip Assistant ° Competencies ° Trip Journal

° Help with S.O.L.E. trip ° Eat turkey/ tofurkey

° Teach new S.O.L.E. staff tech skills ° Instructor Competencies

° Instructor ° Mentoring ° Aid in activity specific training

Fall Winter

Summer Spring

2nd Year

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Wilderness Safety Consultants

How Do I Get Involved?

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1. Stop by the Outdoor Center for more information to

help you decide if this is an opportunity you wish to

pursue.

2. Complete a S.O.L.E. Application if interested in the

UTOP Trip Instructor program or meet with the Outdoor

Director if interested in just taking the Outdoor

Leadership class.

3. 1st interview will be with current S.O.L.E. staff during

the final weeks of the Spring semester.

4. 2nd interview with Administrative staff, also in the

Spring.

5. Final selection process. If chosen you will be contacted.

6. Director will add students to the Outdoor Leadership

class for the fall semester.

7. Class will begin in the fall. At this point no one is

officially a UTOP employee.

8. The class will serve as a long term interview

process, with regular feedback to better

prepare applicants and to give a clear idea

of their progress and possible outcomes.

9. Staff positions will be offered and the

final fall component (7 day backcountry

trip after the fall semester ends) will

begin for this group.

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Bike Shop Located in the Outdoor Center. This full

service bike shop offers tools and bike

stands for do it yourselfers. We also have

bike mechanics available to teach & help

with your bike maintenance or you can just

leave your bike and we can fix it for you.

Vol Wall Climbing Gym Bouldering, toprope climbing, skills clinics,

training & competitions are available for

students & staff of the university. The Vol

Wall is located in the HPER Bldg. room 202-B

OUTDOOR CENTER The place to sign up for trips,

rent equipment or plan your

adventure. This is also where we

meet for outdoor classes & clinics.

The OC is located on the bottom

floor of TRECS, in room 20.

http://recsports.utk.edu

865-974-9749

utop@utk.edu