You won’t find any other program with a more talented, dynamic and professional group of leaders than ours. Our leaders all have a proven track record when it comes to past achievements. Most have played varsity sports and captained their teams in both high school and college. They have served as volunteers for campus organizations, have been peer counselors, and have served as student government officers.
Our Leaders
Averaging 26 years of age, some have been their class valedictorians, nearly all have received their undergraduate degrees and many are already pursuing their post-graduate careers in medicine, law, engineering, business, the arts, and education. Our leaders are high achievers, with a wealth of leadership experience who all share a passion for working with our students in the out of doors.
Wilderness Ventures’ leaders are far more than guides or instructors. Although their primary responsibility is to ensure the safety and well-being of every student, each Wilderness Ventures leader is a wonderful role model. Our leaders are bright, dynamic, accomplished and charismatic adults who exude enthusiasm and inspire our participants to achieve their potential in everything they do. They are friends, confidants and facilitators, and their dedication to our students each summer is a principal reason our programs are so successful.
Our leaders come to us from throughout the United States, having attended the finest colleges and universities. Because of our 39 years of experience and our reputation as a leader in outdoor adventure education, we receive hundreds of applications for a few openings each year. Our screening and selection process is extremely thorough and involves a lengthy application, several written references, four background checks (driving record, CORI, SORI, police record), and oftentimes two or more personal interviews.
Because we possess the highest staff return rate, often approaching 65 percent, our trip groups depart with the highest degree of professional experience possible. Our extensive leadership expeditions for college age students enable many former participants to assume leadership positions each year, providing us with the luxury of an entire staff fully committed to our program goals and philosophy. Each summer an average of 25 former Wilderness Ventures students are part of our staff team.
