About Us

Who We Are The Outdoor Activities Training Program (OATP) and the Outdoor Activities Training Committee (OATC) consist of volunteer training developers, trainers and several Club staff. We work with all three outing programs (Group & Chapter Outings, Inner City Outings, and National Outings) to offer training events to build both technical and interpersonal leadership skills.

Our Beginnings

The OATP was inaugurated in early 2000 and is the nationally-managed program charged with developing and running outings leader trainings for our volunteer leaders and chairs.  Since our inception, we have developed a successful outdoor leadership training curriculum that is delivered in the form of the Outings Leader Training (OLT) Workshop, self-study materials (web-based training) for leaders, and teaching materials for local chairs and trainers.

In 2003. the OATP began sponsoring Wilderness First Aid workshops (in areas of the country without ready access), and since 2004, we have run a very successful WFA Scholarship program.  In 2005, the OATP ran the first ever annual Outings Chair Training. Check out the password-protected Training Extranet to learn more. 

Our Mission

Safe, Happy, and Inspired
The OATP tagline is "Safe, Happy, and Inspired" -- all three of these components combine to make a whole, quality outdoor experience for you and your trip participants. All trip participants should return "Safe, Happy, and Inspired."  This happens when the leader infuses the following components to their outing:

• Safe - Each outing's primary goal is to eliminate or reduce the potential for injury or incidents.

• Happy - To create a welcoming environment for participants to fully enjoy their experience.

• Inspired - Every participant should come away from their outing with a greater understanding of the Club's conservation issues, and better yet, be inspired to take action.