National Outings Training Trip - Service in Vermont's Green Mountain National Forest

Welcome

The National Outings Training Trip is designed to train new leaders in the trip planning and leadership skills necessary to lead safe, happy, and inspiring Sierra Club National Outings. The training lasts for approximately six months. During the first five months, each trainee designs, plans, and submits his/her own National Outing and then develops a meal plan and practices screening participants for that trip. This work is done by the trainee at home and under the guidance of a mentor. The training then culminates in five days of hands-on training in the field under the direction of several trainers.

This website provides a picture of what this training is about, who should apply, what to expect, plus lots more. In applying for this trip, you will be putting yourself in the company of a dedicated group of volunteer leaders offering some of the best outings in the world. There’s a lot of information here. Please read it in detail to assess whether this training is right for you. 

The Training

The home phase of the training will be conducted from January 1, 2018 – June 30, 2018. 

The hands-on field training will be conducted July 15 – July 20, 2018 in the northern section of the Green Mountain National Forest (GMNF). The GMNF's diverse landscapes range from rugged, exposed heights on the ridges to quiet, secluded hollows. Vermont's National Forest was established in 1932 in response to the environmental damage caused by the unregulated logging that had been occurring in the uplands for a century. Over the last 75 years, much of the forested landscape has been nurtured back to health while remaining a working forest.

The northern section of GMNF is about 1 ½ hours from Burlington, VT. The GMNF is recognized as an area of significant ecological diversity in Vermont and northern New England. The GMNF includes over 400,000 acres of mostly forested land, and includes at least 69 unique natural communities. These communities range from small emergent marsh wetlands to stately stands of hemlock; from common communities, such as northern hardwood forests, to rare communities, such as the small alpine meadow at the summit of Mount Abraham. While much of the GMNF is dominated by maturing forests of between 70-120 years old, open wetlands, rocky outcrops, and cliffs comprise about 7,000 acres, or close to 2% of the Forest. All of these natural communities are nested within 16 landscapes and 5 biophysical regions in Vermont. These natural communities, landscapes, and biophysical regions provide a wide variety of habitats for native plants and animals, some of which are rare, threatened, or endangered. Some of the characteristic mammals include moose, black bear, red fox, snowshoe hare, porcupine, beaver, bobcat, fisher, coyotes, and many more. In addition, the Long Trail is in the GMNF and is the oldest long-distance trail in the U.S.

The GMNF is a great place to learn how to become a Sierra Club leader and this trip will be especially good for learning basecamp planning and organizing, hiking leadership, and service trip skills. On day 1, we will set up a basecamp at a group campsite near Silver Lake. Days 2 – 5, we will be working with the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) to make improvements in the GMNF. The work can range from building new bridges to repairing campsites to doing trail work. Each day, the Leaders of the Day will work with USFS staff to plan the work for the day, organize the team, and lead the activities. This work will be challenging yet rewarding as we see the results of our labor to improve this beautiful area for future generations. On the last day, the field trainers will provide individualized feedback and review for each trainee.

Enroll in the Class of 2018 and join hundreds of other Sierra Club leaders in a 100-year tradition, started by John Muir, to lead people into the most beautiful, inspirational mountains, forests, and deserts in the country to encourage stewardship of these special places. In addition, the friends you’ll make in the Class of 2018 will last for years and be a frequent source of support as you continue your leadership journey.

Requirements to Participate

1. Have the interest and ability to lead a National Outing at least once every other year, but ideally at least once a year.
2. Register and pay for this training.
3. Fill out and submit an online National Outings Leadership Application (http://content.sierraclub.org/outings/national-outings-leader-application).
4. Participate in interviews with the National Outings Volunteer Interviewer, Sponsoring Subcommittee Chair (or designee), and the leader of the field trip to be accepted to the training.
5. Ideally have previously participated on a National Outing. This is not a requirement, but is strongly recommended. Prior multi-day group outings experience may also be acceptable.
6. Possess the ability to use a computer and the internet on a regular basis to complete Home School, the homework phase of the training. The homework phase of the training takes 40-60 hours of time in the five months leading up to the field training. Trainees will learn how to use the Sierra Club's Outings Extranet, the National Outings Training Trip Google Site, and the online National Outings Trip Submission System, and they are expected to become proficient in the use of these three systems.
7. Have the interest and ability to work closely with their Home School Mentor in a professional and timely fashion.
8. Have the ability to backpack up to eight miles per day over rough terrain with a 35-pound backpack.
   

Goal of the Training Trip

This training trip is designed to teach the leadership and technical skills you will need to propose, plan, and conduct a National Outing with the field section concentrating on practical field skills. The skills you learn during this trip will apply equally for the different types of National and International Outings that you may choose to lead: backpack, lodge, basecamp, water trips, service, or multi-sport trips. During the training, trainees will:

• Design and submit (using the National Outings Trip Submission System) an engaging and fiscally realistic outing that furthers the conservation mission of the Sierra Club.
• Write an engaging brochure that will effectively sell the trip.
• Plan an appetizing and accommodating menu.
• Conduct pre-trip interviews with mock sign-ups and accept appropriate participants for the outing.
• Participate fully in the field section of the training, both as a participant and leader-of-the-day.
• Demonstrate safety awareness, sound judgment and decision-making as part of the leader-of-the-day team.
• Demonstrate professional communication skills and maintain professional working relationships with home school mentor, field trainers, fellow trainees and leader-of-the-day leader throughout all of NOTT (home school and field training).
• Demonstrate the ability to manage all logistical aspects of a full day on a basecamp/hiking/service trip. This includes Leave No Trace, route finding, hazard assessment, and group energy level assessment, etc.

About National Outings

With more than 100 years of wilderness travel experience, and as a part of the largest grassroots conservation organization in the country, Sierra Club Outings offers more than 350 trips annually to unique destinations around the world. We aim to provide a variety of quality outdoor adventures for people of all ages. Our offerings include adventures in the U.S., Canada, and abroad, including backpacking, base camping, canoeing, kayaking, bicycling, rafting, sailing, skiing, snowshoeing, day hiking, service trips, lodge trips, and family vacations; domestic trips are generally 5–10 days in length, while international trips may last up to three weeks. National Outings provides services to about 4,000 participants per year. The 350 trips per year are led by approximately 500 volunteer leaders supported by a small staff in the Outings Department at the Club’s headquarters in Oakland, California. Trips are priced for the program to operate on a long-term, break-even basis.

The Ideal of Being a National Outings Leader: The opportunity to follow John Muir’s example and inspire someone to make huge strides in protecting the natural world. The chance to share a remote, pristine, inspiring spot in the wilderness. At parties, you get to say “Yes, I’m a leader for the world’s oldest, largest and most effective environmental organization: The Sierra Club.”

The Reality of being a National Outings Leader: Actually, these ideals can be the reality. However, the adage “there’s no free ride” is especially true. Becoming a volunteer leader for Sierra Club Outings takes loads of lead time, commitment, and training. For more than 100 years, we’ve been offering wilderness trips, led by dedicated volunteers, to educate people about the need for protection of natural resources, and we’ve developed procedures to ensure our trips are safe and successful. We’re dependent on these volunteers, who are organized into subcommittees that are responsible for all offerings in their geographic area or their type of trip. For example, there are subcommittees for California backpacking, for the Southwest, for Alaska, and for Water trips in the West. There are 18 different committees in all, and many have their own set of special qualifications or requirements for leadership and for approval of proposed outings. While undeniably a lot of work, you’ll find the rewards far exceed your efforts. Our training trip will take you through the process step by step, and give you lots of hands-on experiences and case studies to improve your skills and help you gain confidence.

Upon successful completion, there are additional measures to ensure you’re not thrown into a sink-or-swim situation. You may become a trainee or assistant on a trip and work with an experienced leader who will mentor you and provide answers to your questions about setting up a successful, enjoyable, safe, AND inspirational outing.

Curriculum

We will cover the following curricula:

• Working with the office staff and volunteer leadership
• Trip Planning
• Safety Management
• Participant Welcoming and Pre-Trip Screening
• Interpersonal Leadership Skills
• Group Management
• Decision Making and Problem Solving
• Wilderness Emergency Management
• Nutrition and Food Planning
• Conservation through Outings
• Cultural History of the area we are travelling in
• Natural History of the area we are travelling in
• Equipment and Clothing Selection
• Health and Sanitation & Hygiene
• Common Medical Problems and Prevention
• Lightening Safety and Preparedness
• Leave No Trace
• Water Purification & How-To
• Weather and Weather Prediction

The Project

The actual details of the work to be performed will be finalized as we get closer to the trip dates. The goal is to perform meaningful work in the GMNF working with U.S Forest Service staff. The work can range from building bridges to building/repairing campsites to doing trail work. The work will be strenuous, but rewarding as we improve this area for future generations.

Home School

Once you have been accepted onto the trip (after registering for the training, submitting an application, and participating in 2-3 interviews), you should begin to complete the homework assignments. There is considerable work to be done before the field section. 80% of the work is in the planning and preparation and 20% is in the actual field time. The homework phase of the training takes 40-60 hours of time during the 5 months prior to the field trip, with deadlines specifically planned to meet volunteer/staff leadership and Sierra magazine schedules. The training is conducted in the same way you will plan your future National outing:

• Due 5 Months before the Field Trip: Trip Expression of Interest, Title and Copy
  You will work with your Home School Mentor to decide on the overarching trip plan you are considering. Your Home School Mentor will "approve" your outing in the same way that your National Outings Subcommittee Chair would. Additionally, you will craft your trip title and 30-60 word trip copy (for Sierra magazine).

• Due 4 Months before the Field Trip: Trip Budget
  Now you will organize and plan out the actual costs of your trip in addition to finalizing your 30-60 word trip copy. You will submit this information using our online trip submission system and receive your trip budget with feedback from your mentor.

• Due 3 Months before the Field Trip: Trip Brochure
  You will now have the chance to write the online trip brochure (same format as this one) for your trip. Your homework mentor will work with you to refine your drafts.

• Due 2 Months before the Field Trip: Food Planning
  Planning healthy and exciting meals for your mock trip is the most challenging step for most new leaders. You will have the chance to work with your homework mentor to develop and refine your menu, recipe document, and shopping list.

• Due 1 Month before the Field Trip: Participant Welcoming & Pre-Trip Screening
  During this final homework step, you will welcome and screen at least two mock trip participants for your trip and decide whether to accept them or not.

• Due shortly before the Field Trip: Leader of the Day (LOD) Planning
  You will spend time with your LOD partner(s) to discuss how you two will work together on the field trip during your one day of leadership. This will be guided by a “Getting Acquainted” exercise that many leaders find helpful when working with someone new. Other planning tasks include drafting a Safety Management Plan for your designed trip and planning, buying, packing and bringing to food for the group on your LOD day. Upon training completion you will be reimbursed for the food costs in the same way that trip leaders are.

Field Trip

The field trip is an immersion in Sierra Club best practices. Three veteran trainers will guide eight prospective leaders through all aspects of planning, preparing, and leading national outings. Although this is a basecamp/hiking/service training trip, lessons learned are appropriate to all Sierra Club trips. Regardless of the style of Sierra Club trip you want to lead, this trip is for you.

During each of four days in the field, two trainees will be Leaders of the Day, responsible for all aspects of the day, from safety management to morale. The days are long and full, and the trip is physically and mentally demanding. You will receive ongoing verbal feedback while hiking, at a nightly debrief, in a personal development plan at the end of the trip, and in a close relationship with other Sierra Club leaders in the years ahead.

The goal is to build your skills and leadership, and to ensure ongoing support through mentors and other Sierra Club resources, so that you are confident and comfortable to lead Sierra Club trips to help others Explore, Enjoy and Protect the Planet.

After Home School and Field Trip

What the trainers will do: Upon successful completion of this training, the trainers will submit a "Training Trip and Trainee Summary" (based on everyone’s Leadership Development Plans) to each of the 18 subcommittee chairs who manage the 350 outings each year. Specific subcommittee staffing decisions are made by the subcommittee chair, not the Home School Mentors or Field Trainers. This summary will include a description of the training, what your strengths and areas of growth are, what subcommittees you are interested in, and what leadership role the trainers feel you are ready for (e.g. trainee, assistant, provisional leader, or needing more technical or leadership experience).

What you will do: You will receive a written Leadership Development Plan during your development plan meeting. This will highlight what you do well, what you need to work on, which subcommittees you might fit best in, and what roles these might be (based on your interests). About one month after the training trip, you should contact the subcommittee chairs (allowing them time to receive and digest the Training Trip Summary) to express your interest in leading and determining your next step.  Your placements will be based on your specific skill set, training trip performance and your time availability. We will also do our best to take into consideration your desired geographic location and/or activity type.

Getting There

This trip begins at the Burlington International Airport in Burlington, VT at 12 noon on Sunday, July 15 and concludes at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, July 20 back at the airport. A class roster will be shared to encourage ride- and room-sharing before and after the trip, if desired.

Transportation will be provided between the airport and the field training location.

Accommodations and Food

We will be basecamping at a group campsite that has non-potable water and pit toilets. You will need to provide your own tent, sleeping pad & bag, and hiking supplies such as a daypack, water bottle(s), appropriate hiking clothes for this area and time of year, rain gear, etc. Food is a critical part of any Sierra Club trip, and one of the great things about this training is you get to practice providing food to a group of basecampers. Trainees design, purchase, pack, and prepare all meals for the days they are Leaders of the Day. Your mentors and field trainers will provide guidance for this seemingly daunting task. All food costs on the trip are included in the training cost. Upon completion of the training, trainees will submit for reimbursement for the food they provided in the same way that leaders do on actual trips. The first meal of the trip will be dinner on July 15 and the last meal will be lunch on July 20.

Trip Difficulty

This trip has a difficulty rating of 3 out of 5. Hiking in the GMNF can be challenging due to narrow trails, rocks and roots in the trails, and steep inclines. Depending on the weather, trails can be slick and we may have some stream crossings. The service aspect will be physically and mentally challenging. The weather in July should have highs in the low 80s and lows in the 50s. Rain and thunderstorms are always possible.

Equipment and Clothing

The trainers will bring all the group equipment: pots, stove, cooking utensils, water treatment. Water will be purified with Micropur chlorine tablets or boiling. A detailed equipment list will be provided to all candidates several months in advance of the trip.

References

• The Gund Institute for Ecological Economics and the University of Vermont, Considering Vermont’s Future in a Changing Climate: http://dev.vtclimate.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/VCA2014_FullReport.pdf
• Moosalamoo Association, Moosalamoo National Recreation Area: http://moosalamoo.org
• Green Mountain National Forest, Maps and Publications: http://www.fs.usda.gov/main/gmfl/maps-pubs
• Vermont Historical Society: http://vermonthistory.org/

Conservation

We will discuss and learn about the impacts of climate change and development on Vermont’s forests. Invasive plants and animals are increasing and putting pressure on native species. Sugar maples and red spruce are in decline, being replaced by oak, hickory, and red maple. This shift may have negative impacts for Vermont’s economy, as it may reduce maple syrup production and fall foliage tourism. Shorter winters threaten Vermont’s ski tourism. In addition to climate change, Vermont's forests are being fragmented due to development. We will learn about the importance of un-fragmented forests to support healthy ecosystems.