Do you already lead outings for the Sierra Club?

Want to find out what it takes to lead Sierra Club Outings?

Are you a Sierra Club activist who wants to use outdoor activities to highlight local conservation issues?

Then this Outing Leader Training is for you!

Who Are These Workshops For?

This workshop is designed to benefit new and seasoned leaders from Local (Group & Chapter Outings), Inner City Outings (ICO), and National Outings (the trips listed in Sierra magazine). Brand new recruits with no program affiliation are welcome as well. This workshop will fulfill the Sierra Club's OLT 101 and OLT 201 requirements.

Workshop Goals

By the end of this workshop, you should be able to:

• Plan safe and successful multi-day outings.
• Enhance your competence and confidence in leading groups.
• Enhance your competence and confidence in achieving good group behavior.
• Inspire your participants, and further their awareness and involvement in the conservation work of the Sierra Club.

Workshop Philosophy

This workshop is designed to focus more on the interpersonal skills associated with outdoor leadership. These "softer" skills are vital to being a successful leader. These skills include learning how to manage your group, how to create a positive group dynamic, and how to practice a safety-based planning and delivery of your outing. Every participant should come back "Safe, Happy, and Inspired."

What to Expect

• Most of the sessions pertain to the interpersonal or "soft" skills of being a leader. These include Interpersonal Leadership Skills and Group Management.
• Other topics include Conservation Through Outings, Trip Planning, Outings Nuts and Bolts, First Aid Kits, Leave No Trace and an Emergency Response Scenario.
• You will be given a participant binder that contains detailed information relating to each session that is taught.
• The agenda for the workshop is very full. We will have breaks between sessions and a longer break Saturday afternoon before dinner.
• A few sessions will be conducted in a large group while most others will be conducted in more intimate, interactive small-groups.
• You will be asked to fill out an evaluation at the end of the training event.

Tentative Agenda

Facility Background

Completed in 2005, the Forest Lodge includes 10 bedrooms that can accommodate up to 60 overnight visitors, with room occupancy ranging from four to eight people, a central Commons with space for 140 people for lectures and 65 for dining, a well equipped catering kitchen, and lower-level classroom space. The deck on the south side of the Lodge offers wonderful views of the Forest and surrounding mountains. Just steps from the Center for Science and Education, the Forest Lodge was built with the same commitment to green building principles. It also has wired and wireless internet access and multimedia capabilities. The Forest Lodge was constructed with funds contributed by the National Science Foundation, the Kresge Foundation, and many generous people and organizations.

General Rules and Information

• The Forest Lodge in the Black Rock Forest near Cornwall, NY. Detailed driving directions will be sent to trainees upon registration.
• The deck off the south side of the Commons has a wonderful view of the forest and surrounding hills. Use the walkway to the north deck to enter the building.
• The hill behind the Forest Lodge (north side of the building) is off limits. Do not climb up it.
• Use the designated walkways, sidewalks, stairs, trails, and roads when you are around the Lodge and Center for Science and Education. The lawn area can be used for a variety of activities.
• Use the main door to enter the building. Leave wet and muddy shoes in the vestibule lobby area.
• A caretaker lives in the apartment in the Science Center building.

Bathrooms

• There are two bathrooms in each wing (with waterless, composting toilets). One of the bathrooms (for use by males and/or females) has 2 sinks, 2 toilet stalls, and 2 shower stalls. The other bathroom is a wheelchair-accessible bathroom with 1 sink, 1 toilet, and 1 shower. The door has a privacy lock.
• Our toilets are waterless, composting toilets. That means there is no flushing of water to take the waste to a sewage or septic system. Small organisms compost the waste in collection tanks below the toilets. Do not put anything into the toilets that will kill these organisms or that cannot be composted.
• A large tube guides waste into the collection tanks below. For safety reasons, parents or other adults must be in the bathrooms with small children when the children are using the toilets.
• After using the toilets, be sure the seat is down and the lid is closed. This will help make the toilet area safer and aid the composting system. Put used paper hand towels in the waste bin.

Bedrooms

• The Lodge has 10 bedrooms that can sleep up to 60 people. Each wing has five bedrooms and two bathrooms with showers. The furniture in the bedrooms includes bunk beds, wardrobes with small drawers, large-capacity drawers that fit under the beds, a desk with two chairs, and a floor lamp.
• Each bedroom is to be kept a quiet and secure place.
• A fitted sheet, a flat sheet, and a pillow case will be provided for each bed. These items along with a towel and a washcloth can be found in the bedrooms or in the linen closets.
• Each bed has one blanket and one pillow. These can be found in the drawer under the bed. Blankets and pillows are to be kept and used in the bedrooms only. Do not use them outside or in the Commons.
• Do not remove the bed rails from the top bunk. They are required safety devices.
• Leave shoes in the hallway by the door to your room. Bring slippers, socks, or some sort of footwear to wear inside the building.
• Clean up your room when you leave. Put linens in a laundry bag or a plastic bag that is provided. Neatly fold the blanket and return it and the pillow to the drawer under the bed.

What to Bring

• All accommodations are in bunk beds equipped with mattresses, fitted sheets and blankets (for use in the bedroom only). No need to bring any additional bedding.

• Sunscreen and a hat.

• Appropriate clothing for the weather; please check current weather prior to the workshop.

• Raingear - one workshop session will be held outside regardless of weather.

• Camp chair or lawn chair -- You'll be much more comfortable if you provide your own seating for the sessions. Otherwise expect to sit on standard "camp" chairs.

• Cup or insulated mug for hot drinks and a water bottle.

• Flashlight or headlamp.

• Watch or alarm clock for waking up and keeping to the schedule.

• Writing utensils - you will be provided with a workshop binder.

• Personal toiletries, towel, and shower shoes.

• Cash or checks - We will be selling the book Outdoor Leadership for $10 and Outings Banners for $30.

• If you have any outings leader related materials to give out or display on either our Resource Table or Reference Table, please bring them.

• ONLINE - Sign me up now! (credit card required)
  Please note: Online registration uses the National Outings reservation system. Once registered, you're confirmed.  On step seven, please disregard the pending participant approval and the National Outings cancellation policy.
• PHONE or FAX (credit card required), or MAIL (check) registration information please click Registration.
• Cancellation Policy: In the event that you cannot attend, we can only give a refund if you cancel more than one week prior to the event (for trainings less then $100).
• After you've registered
  • You will be asked to fill out an on-line questionnaire (or request a hard copy be sent to you).
  • You will be sent a confirmation letter and workshop overview packet immediately after registering.
  • If you haven't already taken (or renewed) OLT 101, you should complete this prior to this training event. Your weekend training experience will benefit greatly from it, especially if you are a new leader. (Leaders need to renew OLT 101 every 4 years.) You can complete OLT 101 in several different ways:
    • Reading the Outings Leader Handbook (one will be sent to you upon workshop registration!)
    • Completing the OLT 101 web-based training.
      (If you don't already have a login/password, you can simply request one.)
  • Approximately ten days prior to the workshop you will be sent final details including driving directions, a ride share list, and a packing list.

We look forward to seeing you at this exciting training event!