Upon successful completion of this five-week, multi-day training program, participants will be able to demonstrate competency in backcountry and wilderness group management, trip planning, packing, evaluation, group dynamics management, wilderness medicine, leadership of diverse groups, technical camping skills, outdoor ethics, risk mitigation and assessment, navigation and orientation, and more.
Expectations and Goals:
It is expected that those who register participate fully in the program, prioritizing training and meeting dates accordingly. This course is a commitment, and participants must be able to maintain this commitment throughout the 5-week program period.
While no previous outdoor experience is required, the ideal participant has a strong interest in learning peer leadership techniques, interest in learning outdoor risk management principles, and a passion for outdoor recreation. Participants will be expected to navigate difficult and uneven terrain, acknowledge the inherent risks of recreating outdoors, give and receive peer feedback, and participate in structured group activities, discussions, and learning. This course includes weekend instruction and field experiences, and participants will be asked to evaluate themselves and one another to facilitate discussion around leadership development.
What’s Included:
The purpose of this course is to offer an extensive training program that equips participants as well-rounded outdoor leaders. The following will be included in this course offering and will be fully encompassed by registration cost:
- Poly Escapes Outdoor Leadership Training Manual, complete with information outlining all training topics.
- An Adult CPR/AED certification, issued by the American Red Cross.
- A Wilderness and Remote First Aid certification, issued by the American Red Cross.
- A personal Adult/ Child & Infant CPR Resuscitator Mask.
- A California Food Handler’s course, certificate issued upon successful completion.
- 16+ hours of outdoor skill training, topics including: stove use, campsite selection, water filtration, trail navigation, trip planning and assessment, risk management strategies, shelter building, backcountry cooking and meal planning, group facilitation, intrapersonal leadership skills, and more!
- An opportunity to learn alongside other students, complete with the opportunity to give and receive feedback that is very valuable to one’s personal and professional development.
- A three-day, two-night camping trip up California’s Central Coast, complete with all necessary gear, food, transportation, and in-person opportunities for skill development and outdoor instruction.
Course Details:
- This program runs Jan. 15–Feb. 20
- Participants will attend weekly educational sessions that are scheduled around all the schedules of the course participants so all can attend. The weekly sessions will be ~1.5 hours once a week. Sessions will be scheduled once registration is full or after registration closes on Jan. 15.
- Participants will be assigned online First Aid and CPR modules that must be completed prior to our in-person Wilderness & Remote First Aid course on the weekend of Jan. 24–25.
- Participants are expected to attend all dates of the experiential weekend, Jan. 30- Feb. 1.
Participants must be able to attend all sessions to successfully complete the Outdoor Leadership Program and receive their Outdoor Leadership Program certificate (issued by ASI).
What to Bring:
Outdoor Leadership Program course participants should expect to provide their own warm layers, hiking shoes, and other clothing items during the Field Experience weekend. Camping equipment such as tents, headlamps, and stoves will be provided. Additional personal gear that is required can be rented from the Poly Escapes Rental Center for the weekend. Course participants will receive a detailed packing list after registration closes denoting what is provided vs. what participants are responsible for packing.
Registration Information:
This course will be open for registration on Dec. 1, 2025 at 5 p.m. and will close Jan. 15, 2026 at 5 p.m., or as soon as the class is full. The registration fee encompasses all instruction, materials, gear, and certifications, as well as the weekend-long camping. More specific information will be sent out via email after registration closes with next steps and details about the program. This course is not an academic course, and academic credit is not offered. Although this is not a graded course, evaluations will be in place, and participants are expected to be present on all course dates. In order to guarantee the issuing of certain certificates (Wilderness First Aid, Food Handler’s) one must be present during all sessions, while participating and showing proficiency in the specified areas.
All sales are final, and refunds will only be given in the event that another participant has joined the waitlist and is able to fill the spot. In some instances, due to issues beyond our control (weather, road closures, etc.), trips may be canceled or relocated. In this case, participants, will receive refunds or have the choice to do so.
Poly Escapes Trip Leader Information:
Interested in becoming a Poly Escapes Trip Leader?
The Poly Escapes Outdoor Leadership Program is a great opportunity to gain the skills, experience, and confidence needed to lead outdoor trips, professionally or personally. This training equips participants with the technical and interpersonal skills that meet the minimum qualifications for the Poly Escapes Trip Leader position.
This program also helps participants build valuable professional experience that can open doors to opportunities with commercial guiding companies, outdoor camps, and adventure programs. It’s also perfect for those who simply want to grow their personal outdoor confidence, learn amongst peers, and earn outdoor certifications.
While completion of the course does not guarantee employment as a Trip Leader, participants who complete the training are encouraged to apply for open positions within the ASI Poly Escapes Program.
Please note:
- Completion of the Poly Escapes Outdoor Leadership Training Program is not required to be considered for employment with ASI Poly Escapes.
- Competition of this course does not guarantee the participant will be hired as a Poly Escapes Trip Leader.
- If selected as a Trip Leader or for another role within Poly Escapes in the future, ASI does not reimburse the cost of the training program.
Discover the joy of the outdoors while building essential skills and friendships in our fun and informative training program! Please send any questions to our Outdoor Recreation Coordinator, Liz Sequeira, at elsequei@calpoly.edu. Registration opens Dec. 1 at 5 p.m. and closes Jan. 15.
