Essentials = Skills All Outdoor Leaders Should Possess

These workshops are part of the Instructor Development Program (IDP) and open to any ASU student/faculty/staff. 

Essentials are the next step in the IDP process after the Foundations Workshops.  These workshops emphasize the soft skills, interpersonal and leadership skills needed to develop into an effective outdoor leader and are required for Outdoor Programs Trip Leaders

IDP Essentials will be held again in Fall 2013, until then check out our IDP Extras.

IDP Essentials Workshops

Outdoor Leadership

Outdoor leadership demands many different skills, but all outdoor activities involve people.  Understanding how to be a caring leader is imperative for your success in the outdoor industry.  This workshop will discuss the elements of a caring leader, fundamental responsibilities of outdoor leaders and the three foundations all outdoor leaders should acquire  Finally, you’ll learn about how your awareness as a leader in the areas of environment, group and self can help you steer clear of trouble.

Leadership & Learning Styles

Understanding the type of leader you are and the leadership style that you have, will truly open your eyes.  Participants on your trips all learn in different ways and understanding the different ways people learn will enable you to better deliver the lessons and skills you’re hoping to teach in the field.

Teaching & Facilitation

This workshop will discuss tips and tricks that will enable you to teach the most effective and fun lessons/skills in the field.  Sometimes teaching your participants isn’t the best way method in which to deliver a lesson.  There are times that you may prefer to facilitate your participants’ learning instead.  Learn when to teach and when to facilitate and how to do both in this workshop

Debriefing & Communication

Debriefing an experience or your trip is always a bit tricky.  This workshop will provide debriefing techniques and activities you’ll be able to utilize for a variety of experiences and trips.  Additionally, as an outdoor leader you will often serve as both the chief source of information and the moderator of communication.  This workshop will provide you with effective debriefing and communication tools.

Trip Planning

Prior planning prevents poor performance.  The more organization that goes into a trip, the less likely something will go wrong and the more likely you can recover when things don’t go as planned.  Learn the why, who, where, when, what and what if elements of a trip plan.  Also, see a bit into the OP world of trip planning.

Decision Making & Judgment

As a leader, your usefulness to the group is dependent upon your ability to make and implement effective decisions.  These decisions are based largely upon judgment.  Learn decision making strategies and the traps that many leaders fall into when making decisions.

To see current Foundation Schedule, please check the OP Calendar. 

Sign up for all of these workshops in the Outing Center at the Student Recration Center.

Got questions? Email OP at asuoutdoorprograms@gmail.com