Staff Orientation
Join the Wilderness Adventure staff for their during their 14 day orientation that is one of the longest in the industry. If you are officially hired as a WAEL seasonal or full time staff member, this orientation is FREE! If you are planning to work for another company or just want the experience on your resume the tuition is $1,050. Included in the course is a SOLO Wilderness First Aid Course and an American Red Cross CPR certification to be offered this year on June 1st & 2nd (2012). The tuition also includes lodging & meals during the WFA course and all backpacker food for the two week orientation. You will receive one on one attention and instruction from professionals and perfect your leadership skills. If you are just interested in the WFA course please email Patrick Boas, Director of Operations.
You will learn endless amounts of information and gain valuable experience during the Wilderness Adventure at Eagle Landing orientation. Some of our participants complain during the course that we cover too much information, but are always grateful in the end. You will learn what are considered our “Local Operating Procedures” or LOPs. While most activities are the same every where you go, all companies have their own LOPs and will most likely require that you be trained on their particular protocol. The benefit of going through this course will be for building your resume and feeling comfortable and confident that you are capable of being a competent and successful outdoor leader.
Here are the skills and topics that will be covered during orientation(in no particular order):
- WFA & CPR certification through SOLO
- Swift Water Rescue Course
- Instructional Pond Kayaking Course (wet exits, rolls, t-rescues, basic technique)
- Z-drag operation and ReThRoG tactics (you’ll get it later if you don’t know now)
- Climbing Wall & Off site climbing belay techniques
- High Ropes Procedures
- Mountain Bike Tuning & Maintenance Course
- Map & Orienteering Skills
-
Vehicle Safety - The ABCDs of packing a backpack
- Back country cooking & stove maintenance
- Gear repair and back country quick fixes
- Leave No Trace Ethics and how to apply them
- Group Dynamics Workshop
- Facilitation and Teambuilding Techniques (Sequencing, Processing, Debriefing,etc.)
- Camping in Bear Country
- Basic Zip Line Procedures
- Emergency Procedures (lightening & extreme weather, lost participants, lost group, etc.)
- Outdoor Living Skills & Firecraft
- Bag of Tricks: 101 Portable Games & Initiatives
- Mediating Campfire Discussions
- Colonel Nervo’s 4 Principals of Success
The dates for this year’s orientation are from June 3rd-June 18th, 2011 which includes the 2 day WFA course. The all inclusive tuition (WFA included) is $1,050 for the most extensive and least expensive orientation in the industry. You must be at least 18 years of age to participate.
For the first couple of nights during the WFA we will put you in one of our Lodges and offer all meals. After that you would be on the trail and all food, cooking and tent supplies would be available for you.
We require that all people coming into Orientation have their own, Backpack, sleeping pad, sleeping bag, water bottles, compass, bowl, spoon and clock/watch with alarm. We pretty much take care of the rest. If you need to order any gear contact Eric Albitz our store manager or call him 800-782-0779 and he can help you find gear at some very nice discounted rates. We also have some used gear that we can sell very affordable, though it is not in the best of conditions. Feel free to check out our used gear list online, although this is mostly large items. We can sell used stuff sacks, dromedaries, bear bags, sleeping bags & pads, etc. upon request.
***Completing this program does not imply in any way that you are a WAEL staff member and unless you have filled out the complete application and sent in reference you cannot be considered for hiring. If you would like to be considered for employment please send your resume to Patrick Boas and fill out our online application.
