Outdoor Leadership
Outdoor Leadership
SSRA 380
Spring 2008
Instructor: Salmon Norgaard-Stroich, Assistant Director, Outdoor Program
Office: G22, next door to the OP and Post Office.
Office Hours: to be arranged by appointment.
527.5791 ofc, 386.7343 cell
Prerequisites
There are no prerequisites for this course, except a willingness to travel in remote wilderness settings, to learn new outdoor skills and techniques, and to support the other students in the course in their different levels of learning and experience. A moderate level of physical fitness will help make the course more enjoyable.
Introduction
Outdoor leadership is a course designed for individuals with a considerable interest and experience in at lest one outdoor adventure sport who are interested in leading or organizing adventure trips. The skills and theory covered will be directed towards cross country skiing, snowshoeing, sea kayaking backpacking, and leadership skills (both soft and hard). Also included will be food planning, legal implications of leadership, hazard awareness and avoidance, navigation, avalanche awareness, mountain first aid, and minimum impact camping. Several weekend outings will be coupled with classroom studies. Students will also be required to participate as a Leader In Training (LIT) in at least one day trip through the Outdoor Program.
Class Meeting Times:
Jan 17 – May 1, 1:00 – 3:30pm, Thursdays, room G02 (ReidCampusCenter)
Plus six required field trips:
1. Feb 7, Thursday, Depart at Noon, return 6pm; Downhill Cross Country Skiing Skills Day: Bluewood Ski Resort
2. Feb10, Sunday, 10am – 6pm; Intro to Cross Country Skiing (snowshoe option)
3. Feb 15-18th, Friday – Monday (President’s day holiday);
Depart at Noon on 15th, return 7pm on the 18th
Backcountry Ski Touring: ElkhornRange;
Peavy Cabin, North Fork of the John Day Wilderness Area
4. April 3, Sea Kayak intro: BenningtonLake – Meet at lake at 4pm
5. April 14, Monday, 7:30 – 9pm; Sea Kayak Rescue Clinic: pool session
6. April 24, Thursday, Depart at Noon, return 9pm; Sea Kayak touring and Open Water Rescues; Columbia River, Wallula Gap
Required Texts:
1. "Outdoor Leadership" John Graham; The Mountaineers
2. "Allen and Mike's Really Cool Backcountry Ski Book", Allen O'Bannon, Mike Clelland
3. "Complete Sea Kayak Touring" by Jonathan Hanson
There will also be additional required readings and weekly quizzes on the reading. Please complete the chapter reading BEFORE each class.
Lecture and Field trip schedules and topics:
January
17 thuCourse introduction, syllabus, schedule
Leadership styles
Reading: Preface, Chapter 1 & 2
24 thuLeadership Styles Continued
Pre-trip for XC ski trip
Reading: Chapter 4
30 wedAvalanche Beacon clinic (6-8pm Reid G02)
31 thu
31 thuAvalanche film & discussion (6-8pm Reid G02)
February
7 thuRisk Management
Snow shelters, winter travel
Get skiis for field trip
Reading: Chapter 6
7thuField trip – Downhill Cross Country Skiing Skills day
10 sunField trip - Introduction to Cross country skiing
14 thuRace, Class and Gender in outdoor leadership
1st Aid Scenario Cold Weather Injuries
Reading: Chapter 5
Prep for Backcountry trip
“Is it not the knot?” – The 3 levels of teaching knots
15-18 fri-monField trip - Backcountry Ski Touring; Peavy Cabin
21 thuManaging Group Dynamics
Good times and Bad (IC system)
Whisperlite stoves – bane or boon?
28 thuSituational Leadership
March
6 thuCaring Leadership
1st Aid Scenario Hypothermia
Ice-Breaker: Peter Gurche & Dana Bialek
(Spring Break)
27 thuDriver’s Training – Kathy Rogers’ lecture
Reading: On-line Driver’s training program
Communicating Effectively
1st Aid Scenario Allergic Reactions
Shelters – Thelma Flys, Tents and Mid’s
April
3 thuField Trip - Sea kayak intro –Bennington lake – meet at lake
10 thuTeam Building
1st Aid Scenario Splinting
Orienteering – maps, compass, charts, GPS
14 monField Trip - Sea kayak rescues – pool session 7:30 - 9
17 thuMake-up day
1st Aid Scenario Head Injuries
Final Exam Review, and class party
Get Equipment for Sea Kayak trip
24 thuField Trip - Sea Kayak on Columbia
May
1 thuFinal Exam – Reid G02, 1-3:30
Grading
Outdoor Leadership is a graded course. Grades will be determined based on:
Participation and attendance: 20%(each missed day will lower score)
Weekly quizzes:20%
Outdoor Trip portfolio10%
Group game/ice breaker10%(compile together to create a manual)
Medical Scenario10%
Final exam:30% (written and practical skill demonstration)
LIT: Also required to pass the course is participation as a Leader in Training (LIT) for at least one day trip with the Outdoor Program.
Outdoor Trip Portfolio
In combination with the LIT experience, students are required to compile a “Trip Portfolio” that documents planning sessions, lists of required equipment (for leaders, participants, and group gear), logistics of the day, maps of route, and pictures documenting the experience. The portfolio will be compiled in a binder with other trip portfolios, and serve as a resource for future trip leaders leading this same trip. 4 pages maximum.
Medical Scenario
Groups of two or three will be required to present a skit to the rest of the class demonstrating appropriate care for a given medical scenario. Students will be graded on accuracy of information/protocol, and usefulness of skit as a teaching tool to other students.
Fees:
The fee for this class is $175. This fee will be taken directly out of your student account. The fee will cover transportation, permits, and free Outdoor Program rental equipment for classes and trip. This does not include food! Food will be a joint expense, at approximately $8/person per day.
Equipment
All equipment pertaining to our activities will be covered by your course fee. Other personal items (socks, long underwear, etc) will be provided by the student.