Visit this page for a full list of Fall 2009 IDP trips and workshops

Being an outdoor leader is more than being able to climb or paddle; it’s a synergy of passion, training, and experience. IDP provides you the tools to pursue a life of adventure.

• Trainings built to be consistent with national standards and certifications
• Instructors who take the time to give you what you need
• Access to state-of-the-art facilities and gear
• Documented training and experience to build your resume
• A program dedicated to the development of up and coming leaders

 Whether you want to be Outdoor Programs Trip Staff, work for camps or other adventure programs, or just looking to enhance your personal pursuits; IDP has something for everyone.

IDP CURRICULUM

Foundations: Where it all begins

All outdoor leaders need a foundation of knowledge, skill and attitude that informs their practice and Foundations serves as the bricks and mortar. Emphasis is placed on the history and key philosophies of outdoor education, exploring how people learn and how to foster positive group experiences, understanding the role or risk and responding to emergencies, and experiencing first-hand OP trips. The skills you learn and ideas you explore will be recurrent themes throughout the Discipline Modules.

Completing Foundations is simple. First you need to let us know that you are interested in Foundations.  Stop by the OP Base Camp in the Student Recreation Center and let our staff know that you want in.  They will provide you with a data sheet that we ask you complete and return to us.  You will also receive a Foundations Worksheet that allows you to keep a record of your progress. 

The next step is to participate in two of our regular day trips or one of our longer programs like a Fall Break Mini-Expedition or an ACA Kayak Course.  We want to make sure that you understand how OP trips run, what is expected of you as a leader, and what locations and resources we commonly use. There is no better way to achieve that goal then to experience what we do first-hand.  Simply select from the menu of trips that we offer, sign up at OP's base camp in the SRC and show up on the day of your trip.  You will be asked to record your thoughts and observations about your experience on our trips on the Foundations Worksheet. 

Completing Foundations is not just about going outside with us.  We also want to introduce you to some key concepts related to outdoor leadership.  Three workshops have been developed to provide insight to the rich history and key philosophies important to understanding your role as an outdoor leader, about how groups work together (or not) and how people learn, and to understand the role of risk in our programs and how we address adverse situations in adverse settings.  Each of the three workshops will be offered several times during the semester, all you need to do is find the one for each topic that best works with your schedule, sign-up at OP and show up!  There is no fee for these workshops and you can attend them in whatever order works best for you.

Fall 2009 Foundations Workshops

·         Thursday, September 10 - 5:00pm to 6:30pm – Risk in Wilderness Settings

·         Tuesday, September 15 – 6:30 to 8:00pm – Group Dynamics and Learning Styles

·         Wednesday, September 16 – 4:00pm to 5:30pm – History, Philosophy and Roles in Outdoor Education

·         Thursday, September 24 – 4:00pm to 5:30pm – History, Philosophy and Roles in Outdoor Education

·         Monday, October 5 – 5:00pm to 6:30pm – Risk in Wilderness Settings

·         Wednesday, October 21 – 6:30pm – 8:00pm – Group Dynamics and Learning Styles

·         Tuesday, November 3 5:00pm – 6:30pm – Risk in Wilderness Settings

·          Wednesday, November 11 4:00pm to 5:30pm – History, Philosophy and Roles in Outdoor Education

·         Thursday, November 12 – 6:30pm to 8:00pm – Group Dynamics and Learning Styles

Discipline Module and Assessments

After Completing Foundations (and in some-cases before), you are set participate in select trips and trainings focused on a specific discipline (i.e. rock climbing, whitewater paddling, caving, sea kayaking, and backpacking.) We call these Discipline Modules. We work with you individually to meet you at your level and you may need to take fewer or more of these courses.  Some of the trips and trainings require a fee that helps us offset the cost of instructors, transportation and food and some will be offered at no cost other than your time.   While we offer some of these trips and trainings during the Fall Semester, we view the Spring Semester as the best opportunity to focus on staff development.

Part of the Discipline Module is apprenticing some of our regular trips.  This means we staff you with current instructors and trip leaders and you get to apply your skills and knowledge in real settings.  Acquiring medical certifications is also a part of this process and you will need to obtain as a minimum standard: First Aid; CPR/AED for the Professional Rescuer; North Carolina Epinephrine Injection; and attend an annual Blood Borne Pathogens workshop.  We offer all these certifications and trainings through University Recreation a little to no cost!   

Okay, so you have completed Foundations, worked through a Discipline Module (let's say in rock climbing) and you have dialed in your skills, certs, and knowledge.  Sounds like you are ready for an Assessment.  The final step in the process, we ask you to demonstrate practical skills and to complete a written exam to assess your general knowledge.  Do well in the assessment and you are now OP Staff!  Sounds like a lot and it is and those who complete IDP walk away from their time at ASU with real leadership experience, refined judgment and the ability to make sound decisions in tough situations and having experienced some of the best adventures in the Southeast and beyond.

Still excited?  We hope to see you soon!

What if I Want to Take Some IDP Trips, But Don't Want to Work for Outdoor Programs?

No problem, all advertised OP trips are open to any ASU Student.  You can select a-la-carte from our menu of trips, clinics and workshops participating in those best suited to your interest and ability.